Top 10 Red Flags in an Interview

Many of us head into interviews with the mindset that interviews are for a company to decide whether or not you're the candidate they want to hire, right? Well, that's only half the story. You want to prepare yourself for an interview so you will impress them. BUT, you are interviewing them too. If you know how to do that well, it could save you from taking a job that is the wrong fit, the wrong company or the wrong boss.

It's important as you prepare to start interviewing that you take a moment to consider what you ARE looking for in an opportunity and company. Do you want to be part of a team that works together or would you rather be more on your own? Is leadership style important to you? Do you thrive in fast-paced with a higher workload or do you need to have some breathing room? Is feeling valued and recognized important to you? Do you want to feel like you're contributing to meaningful work? Is opportunity for growth and increase in responsibility a priority? If you really hone in on what is most important to you in an opportunity, red flags are much easier to notice.

These are my top 10 red flags (in no particular order).

1. They change times / are late / cancel / no show.
Now, of course, we are humans and things happen. However, this could be a first red flag especially if they seem frazzled or stressed. Things aren't going well and this person is likely highly overworked and overwhelmed. Do you want to join them in that mess? On the flip side, if they are not overworked and overwhelmed, are they a poor manager of their time or disrespectful of others' time? That can be a sign of a bad leader.

2. They are hiring this role because they are desperate for help with their workload.
The workload is likely not going to get any lighter with one more person. Dig deeper and ask more about this role and what it entails. Often, you know the size of a team that is needed based on your previous experience. If the team is clearly too small, you'd be headed straight for burnout if you accepted the role.

3. In a phone screening, the recruiter is asking questions you've already answered or that are clearly on your LinkedIn.
If a recruiter or HR manager reaches out to you on LinkedIn, sets up a call and then asks questions that are obviously on your LinkedIn in plain site, that's not a great sign. Are they lazy, incompetent, difficult to work with, too overwhelmed to see details? It's even more frustrating when you've given them information and then they ask for it as if you never said it. If they aren't paying attention to you now, it will not get better.

4. Interviewers do not seem to be on the same page.
This is a clear sign of some culture issues as well as unclear goals. If they aren't on the same page in an interview, when are they on the same page? Leadership that has no clear vision or shared goal will only leave you confused and frustrated in a job. If clear expectations are important to you, this is a big one.

5. If more than one interviewer, watch the facial expressions while the boss is talking.
Simply being aware of how everyone in the room feels when the boss is speaking or asking a question will tell you SO much. Most people have terrible poker faces. They will tell you if things are good or if they are unhappy or lack respect for top leadership. This is a HUGE red flag. They very well may be telling you with their faces whether or not you should work there.

6. They are doing far more talking than you.
Trust me. If they can't even spend time learning about you in the interview, they will not respect you or give you the time of day if you work for them. They should be doing a LOT of listening in an interview. If they can't stop talking long enough to do that in this situation, they never will.

7. You ask about the job and it sounds okay, but not at all exciting or challenging.
This may seem obvious, but some of us enter an interview just desperate for a job. I've been there. You want to mold yourself to whatever they want because you need this to work out. However, this is still a red flag my friend. You're about to give them 40 hours a week. Make sure you want to do this job because I can tell you right now, changing jobs every 6-12 months does NOT look good on a resume, no matter how you word it. Look for a better opportunity. Thank them for their time, but take yourself out of the running.

8. You give them a salary expectation and they lowball you and won't budge.
Do NOT undervalue yourself. This situation speaks volumes and I can promise you, it won't get better. If you aren't valued at the beginning, it won't happen down the road. The job has to meet your salary and benefit requirements.

9. You ask them about the last time they implemented a change because of an employee suggestion and they can't think of one.
You have amazing ideas inside of you. If leadership would never consider them, you'll never grow there. Go where egos aren't everything and people are willing to try new things and listen to suggestions. This speaks volumes. Please ask them this question.

10. A recruiter ONLY talks about what the CEO has done.
This can be a red flag about culture. You want to be part of a team where everyone is working together. Where everyone is recognized for their contributions and ideas. Culture is everything. Leadership sets the tone. One person being the star of the show will not be a great place to make an impact or feel valued.

Remember, you can say "this isn't for me" at any point in the process. Don't waste your time or theirs once you recognize you do not want to move forward. You only get one life, and work takes up such a large portion.

Here's the biggest idea I want you to take away from this article. How YOU feel about the company and leadership matters just as much as how they feel about you. Make sure you're listening and watching and discerning during an interview. Not only should it matter to you, but asking great questions will show them what a great candidate you are. It shows that you were prepared and that you care about where you work. It is a win-win!