4 Red Flags To Look For In A Job Interview

By Lisa Osiako

I once attended a job interview that left me feeling insecure. One interviewer asked all the questions, and whenever I took time before answering, she would go straight to the next. At some point, I struggled with a certain question and answered it incorrectly. I knew it was incorrect because she sighed. I left the interview knowing I did not get the job.

You may go for a job interview feeling ready and well-prepared. However, how you feel during the interview could be more than feeling nervous. You may feel uncomfortable because you know that something about the way the interview is going is not right. Some signs may be obvious, and you may pick up on them. Others, are however subtle and may not even feel wrong until you think about it later on.

If you notice any of these signs in your next job interview, it is worth taking note of them.

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1. You feel bullied

Some companies create stressful situations during an interview, to see how candidates handle them. This depends on the role you are interviewing for. What sometimes starts as a way of finding out if you can handle stressful situations could easily turn into unprofessional territories.

Red flag alert! Bullying could be part of their work culture – in which case you should seriously reconsider working there.

2. The questions get too personal

Rose was once interviewed by a person who asked her if she intended to start a family anytime soon. The interviewer followed it up by saying that women often take up new jobs and then quit once they start a family, and he needed to be sure she would not do that.

While interviewers may try to get to know you better by asking about your interests and hobbies outside of work, probing personal questions like this are not okay.

You are not obliged to answer these questions – and if you feel like you are being pressured to do so, you are well within your rights to tell them that you would prefer not to discuss your personal life.

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3. It’s way too easy

When you come out feeling positive about an interview, it can be difficult to look at the situation critically. It is important to consider why the interview felt so easy.

If it was because the interviewer put you at ease, asked great questions, and their requirements were right within your field of expertise, then congratulations!

However, did it feel easy because the person rushed through the process, didn’t care to test your skills, or asked generic questions that anybody could have answered?

4. They glorify being overworked

Watch out for phrases like “We like getting things done, no matter the time” or “We’re passionate about what we do, so we don’t mind dropping by the office on weekends.”

This, in most cases, means that you will be required to sacrifice your work-life balance.

Ask follow-up questions about their overtime policy, weekend schedules, and their expectations about your availability after hours. Make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into before you think about accepting.

In the end,

A job interview is not just a chance for you to convince a potential employer about your abilities — it is also a great opportunity for you to know more about the company before you join. Being able to spot and assess these red flags may help you avoid organizations that are not the right fit for you, and thus make better career decisions.

Do you have an upcoming job interview? Would you like to convince the interviewer that you the best candidate and get the job? Book a mock Interview Coaching Session Here.