7 Red Flags to Look for in a Job Interview

Job interviews can be stressful. There are 7 specific red flags that you can look for in an interview to see if a company will not be a good fit for you.

Illegal Questions

The first red flag is when the interviewer asks you illegal questions.

These are questions that are not related to job performance and are discriminatory in nature. For example, an interviewer may ask you how old you are or if you have any children. If an interviewer asks you these types of questions, it’s a good indication that they’re not following the law.

Lack of Preparation

Another red flag is when the interviewer seems unprepared.

This can be evident in a number of ways, such as if they don’t have a copy of your resume or if they’re not familiar with your work history. If an interviewer seems unprepared, it’s likely that they’re not taking the time to get to know you or your qualifications.

Badmouthing Other Employees

A third red flag is when the interviewer badmouths other employees.

This is a sign of a toxic work environment and should be avoided at all costs. If an interviewer speaks badly about other employees, it’s likely that they’ll speak badly about you once you’re hired.

Rude or Disrespectful Behaviour

A fourth red flag is when the interviewer is rude or disrespectful.

This can be evident in a number of ways, such as if they interrupt you while you’re speaking or if they roll their eyes at your answers. If an interviewer is rude or disrespectful, it’s likely that they don’t respect their employees.

Making Promises They Can’t Keep

A fifth red flag is when the interviewer makes promises they can’t keep.

This can be evident in a number of ways, such as if they guarantee you a promotion within six months or if they say that you’ll be able to work from home once a week. If an interviewer makes promises they can’t keep, it’s likely that they’re not being truthful with you.

Pressuring You to Make a Decision

A sixth red flag is when the interviewer pressures you to make a decision.

This can be evident in a number of ways, such as if they try to get you to sign a contract on the spot or if they offer you a job without an interview. If an interviewer pressures you to make a decision, it’s likely that they’re not giving you all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Lacking Consistency

A seventh and final red flag is when the interviewer is lacking consistency.

This can be evident in a number of ways, such as if they tell you one thing but do another. For example, an interviewer may say that they value work/life balance but then require you to work overtime on a regular basis. If an interviewer is lacking consistency, it’s likely that they’re not being truthful with you.