Interview Red Flags (& What To Ask)

Leadership

May 19

Finding your dream job can be an adrenaline-boosting experience. You’ve been searching for months and you finally found what you think is the perfect fit. It boasts a flexible work schedule and room to grow and you just cannot wait to get started.

Before you sign your employee contract, it’s important to remember that the interview process is also your moment to size up your potential company. This is a two way street. You dressed to impress (at least from the waist-up) and are ready to be impressed by what the company has to offer you.

Here are the five most important red flags to watch out for before accepting an offer.

Work culture misfit

A healthy work culture is made up by the attitude, belief and behaviors of everyone in the office or organization. Diversity, teamwork, growth mindsets, and respect are all examples of values that make up a company’s culture. But just because the job seems great on paper, doesn’t mean your values will align with it. Remember that a dysfunctional workplace is like an unhealthy relationship: Bad communication and questionable loyalty will greet you at the door.

💡 Tip: Listen to what the interviewer is telling you about the work environment. Is he or she adding in things that they don’t necessarily need to share with you, like gossip?

Flexible work schedule

A flexible work schedule is a really general way to say “you do not have to stay within the 9 to 5 standard work structure.” That sounds like a dream, right? But does that mean you are working all the time, always on call? You may think it doesn’t, but what does your boss think? Having no set working hours could blur the lines between work and home life.

💡 Tip: Ask what hours most of the team makes themselves available and set some guidelines from the start, like a strict 5pm cut-off time.

“We all work really hard here.”

A good hiring manager will explain the responsibilities of the job, including who you will be working with and reporting to throughout the day. If they answer any of your questions with this statement, something is definitely up. It could mean they aren’t entirely sure what goals they are looking to meet by hiring you or what the team does on a regular basis.

💡 Tip: Ask what your day-to-day will look like or if you will have regular goal-setting conversations with your team or manager.

Unclear or unset expectations

You are there to learn more about the position and to see if what they are offering is a good fit. If the hiring manager cannot outline what their expectations are or they are extremely unclear, that is a huge red flag that they haven’t set expectations. How can you measure up to them if they haven’t shared them with you?

💡 Tip: Ask if they are working on any major project or exactly what they are looking for you to bring to the table.

Not having a clear core mission

A clear core mission keeps everyone clear on the direction of the organization. It helps to focus the future of the company, it provides a template for decision-making, and it helps to shape strategy and improvements that may be needed down the line. Without a clear mission for the company, it will be extremely difficult for you to understand your position and how you can use your skills to add value to the company.

💡 Tip: Do your research on the company well before your interview. Their website should highlight their mission statement clearly.

Lots of turnover

A high turnover rate could mean that a lot of people have recently quit the organization. There are a variety of factors that can contribute to this including a high stress environment and lack of advancement. Lots of turnover can also speak volumes about management.

💡 Tip: Ask the hiring manager why the last person in the position you are interviewing for left.

These are just some of the red flags you may be faced with during the interview process. Be sure to always do your research on the company first. I’d suggest using LinkedIn to look at the profiles of some current employees to get a better picture of who you are interviewing with and who your potential team members will be. Another great asset to utilize is Glassdoor Reviews for company reviews and ratings.

Need more support? I got you covered! Let’s talk about how to sell yourself with more confidence and charisma, while taking the right steps towards your dream career or pivot. Read more about my offers by clicking here.

Other than looking out for these red flags, you’ll want to be prepared with questions of your own. That’s why I’ve developed a free guide: The 10 Top Questions To Ask In An Interview.