London: In a rapidly evolving job market, arrogance can derail even the strongest job application, according to Sarah Walker, head of Cisco's UK and Ireland operations.

She says confidence is essential, but excessive ego is the biggest red flag she looks for while hiring candidates across all levels.

Speaking to Fortune, Walker, who has over 25 years of experience in leadership roles, said arrogance signals a lack of self-awareness and resistance to learning.

She noted that qualities such as curiosity, positive energy and adaptability are far more valuable than an impressive résumé or past achievements.

Walker stressed that personality and attitude often matter more than qualifications, especially for early-career roles. While technical skills can be taught, she believes enthusiasm and the willingness to grow cannot.

The same principle applies to senior professionals, she added, warning that relying on past success can make leaders irrelevant in fast-changing industries.

Highlighting the importance of continuous learning, Walker said humility remains essential at every stage of a career. She also pointed out that emotional intelligence plays a key role in effective leadership.

Her views echo those of former Cisco UK chief David Meads, who has said academic qualifications alone are not reliable indicators of performance.

Together, the perspectives underline a shift in hiring priorities, with employers increasingly valuing adaptability, curiosity and humility over credentials alone.