11 Red Flags to watch out for During the Job Interview Process (Signs you might want to decline the job offer)
As a job candidate, you crafted a STANDOUT resume, prepared to answer the top job interview questions, and now it’s the perfect time to be aware of the warning signs during the interview process, so you don’t end up at a job your hate or in a toxic work culture.
The job interview is a two-way street. It’s your moment to prove why you’re the ideal candidate, but it’s also the chance to learn more about the company, hiring team, position, and if it’s the right position or company for you, both personally and professionally.
So, to help you make the best decision, here are the top job interview red flags and warning signs to watch out for.
Red Flags to Watch out for During the Interview Process
You’re not sure You’ll get along with your boss
It’s important to observe the behavior of your manager during the recruitment process, so you don’t end up in a bad situation. It’s awful to work with a toxic boss since it can affect your day-to-day work life balance and can cause a lot of unnecessary stress.
During the interview process:
· Confirm who your supervisor would be, and if you’re unsure ask during the first interview.
Watch how your potential supervisor treats both you and everyone else on the team.
Ask yourself, “Would this person be an inspiring leader who could advocate and support me both personally and professionally?”
Tip: At the end of the interview, ask questions to see if your manager would be the right fit for you. You can ask questions such as, “Can you tell me a little about your leadership style and how we would work together for this role?”
Unclear Job Responsibilities
During the interview process, you should be able to get a better understanding of what you’ll be handling in the position, such as:
· Your core duties;
· How the role relates to the rest of the company’s roles; and
· What kind of work environment you’ll be in.
You need clearly understand what will be expected of you so you can decide if this role is the right one for you, so watch out for any signs of ambiguity or confusion.
If the hiring manager cannot answer specific questions or is uncertain about the role, consider it a warning sign or red flag. It could mean they do not know what they're expecting from the position. Or, the role might be filled with too many different responsibilities, which could be a sign of a chaotic work environment or a lack of an established team structure.
High Turnover Rates
High turnover can indicate a problem within an organization or a particular role. Often, people aren’t leaving companies they’re happy at. So, if the company has a high turnover rate and people are all leaving at once, this could be because of the company culture, toxic work environment, or bad leadership. It is important to watch for these signs when interviewing, as they may indicate an unstable work environment that you may want to avoid.
Additionally, high turnover may indicate a lack of resources within the organization, so it is important to ask the interviewer directly about any past or current issues related to high turnover.
Inappropriate questions or comments
Pay attention to how the people you interview speak, and act -- if they don't in a professional way, you can be sure that the work environment isn't going to be something that you want to be a part of.
It’s a red flag if, during the interview:
· The interviewer or hiring manager makes inappropriate or offensive comments; or
· The interviewer or hiring manager asks personal, illegal, or irrelevant questions about personal details such as:
o Race, sexual orientation, religion, disabilities, age, marital status, or family planning.
Interviews are also where most people are putting on their best behavior, so showing these signs would only worsen if you're working with them regularly.
Negative Vibes or Gossip Culture
If the interviewer talks about the organization, team, or job negatively, it could signify a toxic work environment. Watch out for subtle hints of negative feelings surrounding the job in general.
If you notice anyone speaking poorly or gossiping about one another it’s not a good sign.
Tip: If some comments feel off to you, trust that feeling. See it as a red flag and that it isn’t a place you want to work!
Low Pay Rate
Every company decides how they WANT to spend and budget their funds. So, if the position offers a lower pay than the industry standard, it could be a sign of a struggling company or a culture that doesn't value the role.
You need to evaluate if the position’s salary aligns with your experience level, skills, and what the job entails. Sometimes companies might not be the right fit for you if the salary is not what you should be making.
If the pay is too low upfront, the position might not be the right fit; However, if the range is something you could work with, you can negotiate and notice how they respond during that process.
Tip: Don’t start negotiations during the interview process until you’ve received your offer. Then evaluate how the hiring manager or recruiter responds to the negotiations.
During negotiations, notice:
· Are they making any adjustments to get closer to what you’re expecting based on salary or benefits?
· Are they making you feel bad for negotiating the salary?
How they act during negotiations could also be red flag, so be aware.
Your Values Conflict
Pay attention to the company’s vision, mission, values, and ask questions at the end of the interview about leadership and how they make decisions for the company.
You could be head over heels for the position or supervisor, but if the company culture is not an ideal fit that aligns with your morals and ethics, this could be a bigger signal this job isn’t right for you.
Team Members Don’t Seem Happy
Get to know who is on the interview panel to know who your co-workers will be and who you’ll directly be working with. Then notice how they interact with one another.
During the interview process, watch out for:
· Are team members supportive of one another?
· Do team members seem happy and enjoy working for the company?
· Do team members let each other speak, or is it only one person doing all the talking?
Interviews are where most people are on their best behavior (including the interview panel members). So, if you notice hostility among team members, it’s likely because of a toxic culture and one you should think twice about joining.
Lack of Connection
Sometimes it’s evident during an interview that a job isn't the right fit. One of the biggest red flags is when you can tell the company’s culture or the position isn't connected with you.
You may feel like you're going through the motions in the interview or that it's all a big game. This disconnection can be subtle, but if you're feeling it, chances are you’ll feel it in the position.
The Interview Process is Too Long or Too Short
During the interview, you may meet with recruiters, potential managers, and even upper-level personnel. This typically takes no longer than two or three rounds depending the role. Also, its perfectly normal for certain writing or editing positions that the hiring manager may request that you take a quick written assessment or provide samples of your work.
A short interview process suggests that the company doesn't really care about getting the right fit for their team, and they just want to fill a spot quickly.
The interviewing process should be long enough to make sure the company gets the perfect fit for the team. But if the company tries to extend the interview process too far this could be a red flag.
Constant rescheduling and disorganization
People are often busy, so rearranging an interview appointment can be understandable. However, when it happens several times, it can be a sign that something is wrong.
Employers need to treat job candidates with respect and try to show they appreciate an employee's time. This includes providing timely updates and keeping communication open during the interview process. If not, it shows a lack of transparency or an inability to communicate effectively.
Your Gut Feeling Says, “No”
As job candidates, during interviews, and throughout the hiring process is your time to understand the job, and potential employer, and ask questions at the end of the interview so you can decide if this thoughtful career decision is the right fit for you.
Even if it’s a great opportunity, if you notice some red flags and things seem off, trust your instincts!
Personal story- At a certain point in my career, I went through an interview process with a top company in the industry. But as soon as I encountered the interview panel, there were serious problems- no clear information about the role, not being on the same page about expectations, talking negatively about other team members, and I wasn’t’ clear about who the role would report to, even after asking clarifying questions.
Despite an attractive salary and job title, the workplace clearly showed a toxic environment. I eventually decided NOT to pursue the job and later heard from a friend that got a job there that they lasted only 6 months before leaving. It was an experience that reminded me to pay attention to the position, career alignment, and the organization's culture.
Final Thoughts
Even if you aced the interview, consider whether the job is what you really want and if it aligns with your overall career goals. I know there are certain circumstances that you can’t help having to take a job. But remember, you deserve to work at a company that can support you.
As you’re looking for a new job, pay attention to these signs so you don’t end up at a bad job that will leave you unmotivated, overworked, or disrespected.
Your life and what you bring matters, so don’t forget how valuable you are! You deserve to have a fulfilling job and work for a company that will support and build you up, so you can live a life that lights you up!
Make sure you have a stand out resume, ACE your interviews with master the top interview questions and bring your confidence to negotiate your offer.
Best of luck on your job search and hunt and you got this!
- Melody Joy