Interview Red Flags To Look Out For
When someone announces that they have an interview coming up they start preparing for what to say and how to behave. It’s frequently forgotten that the interviewee should also come prepared with some of their questions and keen observational abilities because an interview is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the workplace culture.
Contrary to popular belief, an interview is a two-way process where when an employer assesses a potential employee, a candidate also assesses the potential employer. We’re so busy selling our strengths and personality that we forget the other party must also be scrutinized as they often represent the company’s work environment and values. You may start forming a relationship starting with an interview but if you find these red flags popping up, run!
The Interview Starts Late
It’s a no-brainer that punctuality is a sign of professionalism as it shows you value other people’s time. Therefore, interviewees are often advised to arrive a few minutes earlier than the scheduled time, but the same rule applies to your interviewer.
It may be an honest delay if your interviewer shows up late but offers a simple explanation. When your interviewer shows up unprepared, it shows either a lack of management or utter disrespect; either isn’t well-suited for you if you seek a valuable work environment.
The Interviewer Circumvents Your Questions
Is your interviewer avoiding some essential questions, such as regarding job description or workplace environment? This behavior might show that the company isn’t clear on the tasks they expect you to accomplish. A good recruiter would always discuss what a regular day at the job would look like to help you navigate whether that’s the type of job you want to commit to.
There could be numerous other details regarding the job that you might inquire about, which the recruiter doesn’t answer. If that’s the case, try looking for another job instead of wasting your time where you won’t be clear about your role.
The Interview Is Extensively Long Or Incredibly Short
Time management is a skill most professionals admire in others and cultivate within themselves. Suppose your interview process is long and tiring with too many repetitive questions from three different people.
In that case, it may show that they don’t respect your time, which is the norm you’d often observe in the workplace. In contrast, if the interview process ends rather quickly, the recruiters are interested in hiring anyone.
They don’t value your skillset or see you as a potential asset to their company. Steer clear of such recruiters as they won’t be able to bring value to your career either.
The Interviewer Is Disrespectful
Disrespect is a broad term and can include anything from physical or verbal harassment towards you or some other company employee. Suppose you see someone of authority berating an employee, making jokes about someone’s background, or being repeatedly mean towards you.
It’s a sign the work environment is just as toxic as the person interviewing you. Do yourself a favor and leave the premises as soon as possible to avoid further negativity from invading your mind.
The Hiring Timeline Is Vague
A corporation would want to take their time hiring if they were seeking a valued asset, but they wouldn’t let go of someone if they had the appropriate set of skills. Their hiring timeline will be outlined in detail to let you know when to anticipate a call.
If a company is unsure when to hire, it can delay you or keep you on its waitlist. Being placed on a waitlist is not negative, but these companies frequently hire other candidates they deem viable. Don’t wait up by your phone or laptop for such recruiters.
Final Notes
We have shared the interview red flags that unmistakably reveal the culture of an organization. Your skill set should be appreciated and cherished since you are a valuable person. You can easily surmise that if the interview has shaken your confidence in joining the workplace, it might not be the right fit for you.
The things the interview lacked will continue to let you down when you start working at the organization. It’s preferable to accept these situations as learning opportunities and keep looking for a respectable job that fulfills you.