Top 5 Red Flags to be Aware of in Your Job Interview

What to look out for, so you can make the best decision after your job interview.

There's a lot of focus right now on what a punishing job market we're in. For those seeking a new role, it's all a bit of a drag isn't it?

According to Forbes, 118 people are applying for a single job. Combined with the much-cited stat about interviewers taking approximately 7 seconds to decide if they like the look of you or not, the pressure is on.

And look, they're not wrong.

Delivering a great interview is essential. However, let's not forget that this is a two-way process. An interview is a discussion between equals, and the need to give a great impression should go both ways.

With that in mind, let's talk about red flags in interviews.

These are warning signs that this is, in fact, unlikely to be a great place to work. With the focus on impressing your interviewer and panic over securing a job (any job!), it's easy to miss these, or turn a blind eye.

I think that's a mistake. Where you work can have a huge impact on your mental health and wellbeing. Sliding into a toxic environment will not be worth it.

I'm a Career Coach and HR expert with over 14+ years' experience in FTSE 100 companies. These are my top 5 red flags to keep an eye out for, when interviewing this year:

Red Flag #1 - They roll out the "We're a Family" schtick

You enquire about things like how their pay cycle is managed and opportunities for advancement, and they duck and weave like a kid playing dodgeball. "Oh, well, you know, we're really like a family here..."

No, Susan, we most certainly are not. This type of side-stepping is dangerous, and this specific turn of phrase is a huge red flag. Translation: "We don't have boundaries, we don't follow formal and fair process, and we complain when you won't do work way outside your contracted agreement".

Red Flag #2 - The hiring manager looks frazzled and exhausted

They come in a bit late, aren't sure what your name is and generally look harassed and knackered.

If this is the person you'll be working for, pay attention to this vibe. Either it's a sign of a disorganised, chaotic person who will pass this energy onto you, or it's a signal that the company is putting too much pressure on them and they are being overworked. Whichever it is, it doesn't bode well for the organisational culture.

“The culture of a workplace - an organization's values, norms and practices - has a huge impact on our happiness and success.” – Adam Grant

Red Flag #3 - They can't answer your questions

I've been in interviews in the past when I've asked key questions to get a sense of the company, and been met with a blank stare.

If they can't answer genuinely and quickly about these things, it's a red flag:

Which project have you most enjoyed working on here?
Can you tell me about the company's diversity initiatives?
What's the reason for the vacancy in the team?
What are you excited about for the next 12 months?

Red Flag #4 - The communications are chaotic

You get invited to an interview, then it gets cancelled or rescheduled multiple times.

You get asked to complete an online assessment, and they can't sort out your access for a week.

You finish the interview, then get an email inviting you to... the interview.

In these instances, the different departments aren't speaking to each other. The hiring manager is completely isolated from the recruitment admin team, and things keep getting missed and confused. Their tech is wobbly, and the whole thing screams 'we don't know what we're doing'.

Red Flag #5 - The toxic interviewer

Finally, and perhaps the biggest of all, the interviewer just seems toxic.

Perhaps they make a subtle, snide comment about your university degree.

Perhaps they make a not-so-subtle-and-completely-unacceptable query into whether or not you plan to have kids.

Perhaps they cut you off, speak over you, are condescending and passive-aggressive, or look bored whilst you're speaking.

If this is the person you'll be working for, run.

You're worth more than this.

So remember, don't get so focused on impressing them that you forget to pay attention to these signals. I don't believe you have to absolutely LOVE your job, but if you join somewhere and hate it, you'll just be back to square one.

Oh, and if you do want any support to smash a great interview, grab my FREE Winning Interview Script here.

Always on your side,