Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Startup Founder Flags Blame and Weak Ownership in Interviews
Jaya Shakthi Kannan is a startup founder who recently interviewed more than 50 people.
He noticed that some applicants blamed their old companies or managers.
He also saw people changing jobs only to earn more money.
He said pay is important, but it should not be the only reason to take a job.
He wants workers who care about the role and the company’s bigger goals.
He also wants them to take responsibility and solve problems.
For example, a video editor should think about what content would help the business, not just edit videos.
LinkedIn users mostly agreed that skills are useful, but a good attitude matters too.
One person said it has become difficult to find candidates and get people to attend interviews.
Jaya Shakthi Kannan said he interviewed more than 50 candidates recently.
He identified blaming former employers or managers as a major red flag.
Kannan said salary matters but should not be the only reason to change jobs.
He values passion, ownership, problem-solving, and thinking beyond the job description.
LinkedIn users largely agreed, though one questioned how companies attract enough candidates.
- Who
- Jaya Shakthi Kannan, founder of CDIX Innovations, and the job candidates he interviewed.
- What
- Kannan discussed common hiring red flags and the qualities he values in candidates.
- When
- Recently, according to the LinkedIn post and article.
- Where
- The discussion took place on LinkedIn; CDIX Innovations is based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- Kannan wants to hire people who show passion, ownership, and problem-solving ability beyond technical skills.
Mindset-first hiring
Skills and candidate-market concerns
What employers should prioritize
Mindset-first hiring
Jaya Shakthi Kannan and several LinkedIn commenters said skills are only tools, while ownership and problem-solving determine how effectively someone contributes.
Skills and candidate-market concerns
The discussion did not reject skills, but one commenter’s response emphasized the practical difficulty of finding strong candidates and getting people to attend interviews.
Reasons for changing jobs
Mindset-first hiring
Kannan said candidates should not switch companies purely for a salary increase and should also consider passion for the role and its larger goal.
Skills and candidate-market concerns
The article notes that salary does matter, although it does not present a commenter’s direct argument that pay should be the primary reason for changing jobs.
- Interviews conducted
- More than 50 candidates
- Major red flag
- Blaming a previous company or manager
- View on salary
- Salary matters but should not be the only reason to change jobs
- Desired qualities
- Passion, ownership, problem-solving, and thinking beyond the job description
- Example role
- A video editor should consider what content can solve a business problem
- Company
- CDIX Innovations
- Company founded
- 2019
- Company location
- Chennai, Tamil Nadu