Have you ever left a job interview with nagging doubts about the employer?
Perhaps the hiring manager made you wait in the lobby an extra hour?
Maybe they avoided eye contact or showed no interest in your professional goals?
And when you asked how your skills could contribute to the company’s growth, perhaps the interviewer gave an elusive answer?
If you spot two or more red flags during your interview, it could be a sign the job is best left for someone else – even if you’re desperate to get out of your current role.
Here are seven job interview red flags that candidates shouldn’t ignore (and what signs to look for instead).
1. The hiring manager isn’t prepared
Red Flag
Is your interviewer late for the appointment or appears not to have read your résumé?
You’ve invested time preparing for the interview, arriving promptly, studying the expectations for the position, and preparing questions about the company and its goal.
But if your prospective employer isn’t similarly prepared to assess your fit for the position, it’s likely there will be ongoing battles with their disorganisation and communication.
Response
Take note of instances of disorganisation or lack of interest, including:
- Your interview is rescheduled more than twice
- You’re made to wait an unreasonable amount of time (an hour or more)
- The interviewer hasn’t even skimmed your résumé prior
Green Light
Your hiring manager is running to schedule and is well prepared for your interview, demonstrating that the company values employee time.
They have a good grasp on your work history and achievements, plus they might even tailor questions just for you based on the information they’ve been given.
2. The work environment isn’t appealing to you
Red Flag
Do you get a bad vibe as soon as you walk in the front door?
Are workers actively engaged in their duties, or are they slumped over their cubicles like drones? Does your prospective employer deal with their peers and subordinates in a professional manner, or do they seem aloof and dismissive?
If you see these issues during your interview, there’s no reason to believe they’ll improve once you start working in the office.
Response
Pay close attention to the workplace environment, including:
- How do the staff interact with each other?
- If more than one manager is interviewing you, how do the panel interact with one another?
- Does the interviewer themselves look happy to be a part of the workplace?
Green Light
Your prospective employee is respectful and engaged during your interview, and the same when interacting with other staff members. You recognise a positive atmosphere as soon as you arrive, with employees appearing relaxed and happy. Maybe there’s even fun office music or a well-stocked staff kitchen.
3. The interviewer can’t provide a clear picture of the job
Red Flag
Not getting a breakdown of what a typical day in the role looks like?
No matter whether you’re applying to be an entry-level staff Accountant or the Chief Financial Officer, if the hiring manager cannot explain the responsibilities of the role and how success will be measured, you’ll likely have a difficult time forging a clear career path in the company.
Response
Ask follow-up questions until you get the level of specificity you need, such as:
- What are the duties and responsibilities of this role?
- Who will I be reporting to?
- How will my performance be evaluated?
- What are some of the pathways to promotion?
Green Light
Your interviewer can describe in detail a typical day in the role, the sort of duties you’d be undertaking, and what they expect you to achieve. Plus, if you meet with various stakeholders during the interview process, your core questions yield fairly consistent responses from each person.
4. Valid questions receive vague answers
Red Flag
Does it feel like you’re not receiving specific or direct answers?
Suppose the hiring manager cannot address any queries you have about the expectations for the position and provide some history about the role and its influence on company operations. In that case, you're unlikely to get much support or clear direction as an employee.
Response
Seek direct answers to questions such as the following:
- What is the first challenge the person hired for this job will have to deal with?
- What do you see as the finance or accounting department's mission?
- What are the pros and cons of the job?
- What can you tell me about the person to whom I would report?
Green Light
Your interviewer values what makes the company unique, including the employees. They’re able to clearly explain what makes the company different from others in the same industry, and they show interest in learning more about you and your specific skill set.
5. Descriptions of work environment are passive or ordinary
Red Flag
Do you sense that none of the staff are particularly thrilled about their workplace?
If you asked the hiring manager what they like most about working at the company and they can’t answer without dancing around the issue, it could signal their job dissatisfaction and likely suggest a poor company culture.
Response
If the opportunity arises, pose the same question to any other employees in the company:
- Do they seem enthused about their daily responsibilities?
- Are they rewarded for their efforts?
- Are there opportunities for advancement?
Green Light
You get a sense of an overall positive office ‘mood’ without asking a single question. But when you do ask about company culture and employee turnover, your interviewer and other staff speak freely and positively about the workplace and how management takes any employee concerns seriously.
6. Employee tenure is short
Red Flag
Have you spotted a pattern of high employee turnover?
If you learn that previous employees didn’t stay long at the company and there’s no evidence of tenure among the staff, it could be a symptom of a high-stress, low-morale office culture, suggesting a bad-boss situation or a toxic work environment.
Response
When you have the opportunity, ask about:
- How long the previous employee stayed in the position
- The reasons why they’ve had to repeatedly advertise the role (if you’ve noticed this)
- Why there are so few long-term employees in the company
Green Light
Your interviewer is able to praise the company’s low turnover rate and give you the key reasons behind this. Plus, you’ll find the profiles of long-standing employees on LinkedIn and read plenty of good employee testimonials on Glassdoor.
7. You don’t feel like you’re being heard
Red Flag
Does your interviewer keep checking their phone or seem distracted?
Suppose the hiring manager does all the talking in the interview and doesn't appear to listen to your comments or ask thoughtful questions about your career goals and past accomplishments. In that case, it's unlikely you'll get much support as an employee or might even suggest they already have someone lined up for the position.
Response
Gauge the hiring manager’s interest and engagement by:
- Their general body language
- The amount of eye contact they make
- Their overall etiquette during the interview
Green Light
Your prospective employer gives you their undivided attention during the interview, free from any staff interruptions or phone calls. They also leave enough time at the end of the interview for your questions and take the time to answer each one thoroughly.
The bottom line
Now you know the main interview red flags for employees, they won’t be hard to spot during an interview.
Just be sure to trust your gut instinct. Not every red flag is a deal breaker, but if something feels off, it’s probably best to walk away and look for a position elsewhere.
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