While no one can easily predict how a new job will pan out, keeping an eye open on potential red flags during the interview process can help weed out poor qualities, employment options, and opportunities. Although employees think job interviews are opportunities in the corporate world, it is also an opportunity for an employee to interview their future or soon-to-be employer. It is extremely important to observe how the employer behaves towards you, and how they manage the process. This tells you a lot about a company’s culture.
Securing an interview is always a two-way process — you’re interviewing your potential boss and employer as much as they’re interviewing you. And this is what we should always keep in mind. It is simply ideal that you do due diligence in assessing all these pointers during an interview, as this can help reduce the chances of making a terrible career decision. Here are some red flags to look out for during an interview.
Continuous Rescheduling and Poor Communication
Corporate people are always busy, and it is understandable if things unexpectedly come up, and the interview is rescheduled. But it becomes a problem when it happens several times, it is an indication that something is not right in the organization. When an interview is rescheduled twice that is fair but the third time is a red flag. Your time is equally valuable just as much as their time. Also, when the recruiters or hiring managers disappear for a considerable period, a week or two with no communication that job is a no-no. Constant rescheduling and poor communication mean the interviewer doesn’t prioritize people as well as their time, and clearly shows how disordered they are in their thinking and way of work.
They Are Unclear About the Job Description Details
In every interview, the recruiter often will start by explaining the responsibilities and duties of the job you’re applying for at the beginning of the interview. The team you will be working with, who you will be reporting to, etc. If this vital information is not clear from the beginning, the career journey in that organization would be troubled. As an interviewee, if you will face this situation, it could mean that the organization or recruiter is not sure of what exactly they want from you and this could set you up for disappointment if they hire you. Because you don’t even know what they even want. To escape such trouble, you need to ask specific questions about the role, the team, the company culture, etc. But generally, when your interviewer is not clear about your job description, for the sake of your peace walk away.
Conflict of Values
Your values are everything for your wellbeing. A mismatch especially with a new organization is a huge red flag. Be extremely clear on who you are, what you stand for, and your values, then ask more questions to get a deep understanding of the company’s culture to see if they align with yours.
You Don’t Get Answers to Your Questions
If you ask a question as an interviewee, the hiring manager should and must get you an answer. If you ask several questions and you don’t get all the answers you need or you don’t get straightforward answers it is a red flag. It can mean that they don’t want you to know something fully and that is not a good sign for anyone getting into a new company.
Low Offer
Low salaries and offers are not an option. If your employer is not willing to pay your worth, why should you offer your skills to them?
They Aren’t Listening to You
If your interviewer is busy typing away on their computer while you talk, looking at their phone, or they are in a hurry to finish the interview they simply are not listening to what you’re actually saying. It either means that they are so overworked that they don’t have the liberty to be away from work long enough, or they don’t really respect you and don’t value your presence that much.
While no one can perfectly predict how a new job will turn out, keeping a sharp eye on all potential red flags during the interview process is important. Be extremely observant in every interview, ask questions, and do your due diligence, as this can help you escape terrible career decisions.
Photo: fizkes/Shutterstock
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