25 Red Flags To Look Out For When Attending A Job Interview

Attending an interview comes with its own set of nerves and emotions. We want to impress and land the role which creates intense pressure on our nervous system. Naturally, this can inhibit our other senses, even those that act as warnings. While our intention should be to land the job, we should also counter-interview the company to identify if it’s a good fit in return. 

#1 If they tell you on arrival that the job you applied for is no longer available, but they have a VERY SIMILAR position that JUST OPENED UP – leave immediately.

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It’s a bait and switch tactic coupled with the sunk cost fallacy. The “new” position will be identical to the original one you applied for – except the salary is significantly lower. They’re hoping that you’ll play along because you showed up to be interviewed, probably desperate for work and will accept any job – no matter the wage.

Furthermore, the position you applied for doesn’t really exist – or at least not at the advertised wage.

#2 One red flag for sure is when they talk about how the company is “like a family.” ? Like, that usually means they expect you to be super available all the time and put the job above everything else, even your actual life.

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#3 “Well, the overtime isn’t *mandatory*, but most folks stick around after hours most days.” Spoilers: The overtime is mandatory.

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#4 A red flag is when the interviewer doesn’t ask about your experience or skills in detail but focuses on your willingness to work long hours or handle excessive workloads. It could mean they expect you to overwork.

Image source: itsjordanxx, Tima Miroshnichenko

#5 One of my go-to questions for an interviewer is, “In the past ten years, how many years have your employees received cost-of-living raises that meet or exceed the annual inflation rate? And how often have they also received merit-based increases above and beyond that amount?”

A s****y company won’t answer the question.

A good company will give you an honest answer.

A great company will give you an honest answer of “Ten.”.

Image source: Kalepsis

#6 “We don’t like ‘clockwatchers’ here. We expect everyone to be committed.” Expecting more work for no extra pay. Getting mad at you when you leave at 5 even though your stated work hours end at 5.

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#7 If the interviewer is late for your interview. If you were late, they wouldn’t even consider hiring you. It works both ways.

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#8 When you are signing all the forms they give you and you are taking your time to read over every document so that you can fully understand what you are getting into and people come in and start telling you that you don’t need to read this and that just sign here and so on.

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#9 If they lied about the salary on the posting.

Image source: Accurate_Screen_6012, Andrea Piacquadio

#10 One time they said “We expect people to work here for the fun of it, not the money”. Inspired by a Dilbert comic, my response was “If you really mean that, then how about you give me your money and I’ll give you the fun part?”

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#11 My (female) ex was applying for a manager role. Interview panel included a male ceo, a female leader and don’t remember who else.

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At the end, my ex directed a question at the female leader about her experiences there as a female leader.

The ceo jumped in before she could answer and answered for her.

That said a lot.

#12 “Nobody wants to work anymore” – You’re about to find out exactly why nobody wants to work for them. Seriously, *every single* job I’ve worked that said that during an interview was toxic and grossly underpaid.

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#13 I brought up a company’s awful Glassdoor reviews and they got so mad they ended the interview. Well. Guess I dodged that bullet.

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#14 A major red flag to watch for during a job interview is if the interviewer or company representative speaks negatively about current or former employees. This behavior can indicate a toxic work environment where blame and negativity are commonplace.

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#15 When they can’t even bother to look at your resume like bro if you want me to work for you at least fake it.

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#16 Not telling you the salary.

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#17 Pre-internet red flags that still apply.
1. Check the condition of employees’ cars.
2. Check building condition.

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#18 When you ask, “Tell me about a time when one of your employees really impressed you.” and they cannot give you a SINGLE example.

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My current job gave me MULTIPLE examples of how their team members impressed them. That’s how I knew I wanted to work there.

In comparison, when I asked this in another interview, the answer was, “There’s so many instances and I can’t focus on only one.” which I interpreted as, “I don’t value my staff in the least.” I was glad not to get that offer.

#19 Making you wait. I had a boss who would do this. We did a lot of interviews, because we had a lot of turnover. Geez, I wonder why. He would say he wanted to see who really wanted it. I would say they’re here early/on time, they want it.

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#20 Recruitment processes that have 4+ rounds spanning months. Broken management structure that cannot make a decision and also delusional a decent candidate won’t have better options.

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#21 “We only want the best of the best”
Me: “how much are you paying?”
“Minimum wage”.

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#22 They asked me my political opinion which I didn’t think was right.

Image source: cleverwall, Tima Miroshnichenko

#23 If you have to make any financial investment into the company in order to work there. I interviewed for a window installation company and did well on the test. They wanted me in sales and said I needed to pay for a laptop. They would cover it and take it out of my checks if I didn’t have the cash to pay upfront.

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#24 If they say things like “we’ve had trouble filling this position” or give hints about having a high turnover rate. There’s a reason everyone’s leaving. Learned this the hard way.

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#25 Had a guy one time ask me how old my children were. I think he was trying to sus out if I would be able to work all kinds of crazy hours. If they pry too much into your personal life, that’s not good.

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