Unavoidable Red flags You Should Look Out For During A Job Interview

Job interviews are essentially a two-way procedure — your potential employer is interviewing you while you are trying to figure out more about your employer and the nature of your role. After all, you cannot settle for any job — you are looking for the perfect job.

The phrase “caveat emptor” — or buyer beware — should apply to job interviews as well. It does not necessarily mean you have to appear for the interview feeling overly suspicious or skeptical, but you should be observant of potential red flags during the interview process. Anything suspicious may indicate bigger issues associated with the organization or your potential boss or team. Here are some unavoidable red flags that you should look out for during your next job interview.

Constant disorganization and rescheduling

We are all very busy, and unexpected things may come up, so it is natural if an interview at some point gets rescheduled. But if it happens more than once, it might suggest that something is not right. If your interview gets rescheduled twice, and they further do it for the third time, it is sending an unsaid message that your time is not very valuable to them.

Vague job description

Usually, every good recruiter should start the interview by vividly explaining the duties and responsibilities of the position you are applying for, including who you would be working with, reporting to, and what you would be doing all day. If the hiring manager is unclear with these details, it could suggest that your duties could be dynamic, and your employer is unsure of what they want from the employee they are hiring.

You observe signs of microaggression.

We often overlook hurtful or weird comments during job interviews because we desperately want the position, the prestige, and the salary that comes with it. But microaggressions should not be neglected. If your employer or hiring manager is speaking inappropriately about your or anybody’s race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or educational, and cultural background—that is a major red flag—and with time it will only worsen.

They avoid answering your questions.

During the interview, if you ask a question and the hiring manager fails to give you an answer, they should at least consider looking it up and returning to you with a response promptly.

Lack of connection

A good interview should be like engaging in a two-way conversation, and both the parties involved should feel excited and energized about the chances of working together. But if the interview lacks connection or energy, and the interviewer is barely smiling, seems distracted, or is asking questions robotically, that may not be a good sign.

If you observe such negative signs during your job interview, think twice before accepting the offer.