Listen, I get it: job hunting can make you feel desperate. Even when you’re excited about the new opportunity, you’re going to have those desperate moments. But, when you feel like you’ll take any job you’re offered, you really really shouldn’t if you spot any of these interview red flags.
Looking for red flags in a job interview is an important part of finding high quality positions and companies that deserve YOU and all your amazingness!
They can also help you identify toxic work environments before you begin, since a lot of these hiring red flags are signs of how poorly they treat their employees.
That’s why it’s essential to look for red flags during interviews: they’ll give you hints at how the company will view you once you’re hired.
The toll- mental, physical, and career- a bad employer can cause isn’t worth getting a job sooner. These job interview red flags will let you know when it’s worth it to walk- or run- away from an offer!
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Job Interview Red Flags 1: Asking Illegal Questions
This is a big one: if an employer asks you any illegal questions during a job interview, it’s one of the biggest job interview red flags.
Sometimes they seem innocent, like “Have any kids? ” Or, they act like they’re just being friendly or don’t even realize it’s illegal.
Most, if not all, interviewers definitely know which questions are illegal. So, if they’re asking you an illegal question, it’s for a reason.
Asking about kids could lead to them assuming you’ll have to take extra days off for your kids or need to go on maternity leave. Yep, all things a company has no right to judge you for- which is why it’s illegal for them to ask.
Other illegal questions- from the subtle to the not so much- are:
- “Are you married?”
- “Do you want kids?”
- “How old are you?”
- “Do you go to church?”
- “What’s your sexuality/race/religion?”
If you’re asked these during an interview, avoid answering. Then, pour some thought into if you want to work for a company that would ask- and judge- illegal questions.
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Red Flags in Job Interviews 2: Requesting Free Labor
If a company asks you to work for free- whether it’s a full day to “evaluate” you, completing one project, or designing a sample logo- it’s wrong.
Interviews are one thing, but your labor has value. Remember, you’re interviewing to be paid to use your skills, not volunteer them.
Instead of asking for free labor, a company should ask to see your past work. Whether you have a portfolio or samples from your last job, it makes sense for them to look. Asking you to create or work entirely unpaid is flat out wrong.
This job interview red flag gives you insight into how the company will view you as an employee. If they expect you to work for free before you’re even hired, they’ll probably do it again (and again and again…) once you are.
No matter how desperate you feel during the interview process, remember that what you offer is valuable. Aka YOU- with all of your knowledge, skills, and experience- are worth much more than $0.00!!
Has your self-esteem taken a hit because of the job hunt? We’ve all been there! Take a quick detour to this wonderful TED Talk on Cultivating Unconditional Self-Worth
Warning Signs of a Bad Employer 3: Unfair Working Conditions
This ties into asking for free labor: if you get any hints that they take advantage of their employees, it’s a one of the big red flags in job interviews. It’s another one that can be pretty sneaky, too.
Like if someone says, “This is a great place to work, we’re like a family! We don’t mind putting in extra hours if it means helping the fam!” That is one of the warning signs of a bad employer, even though it seems positive.
It means they’re going to expect you to work overtime for free, probably evenings or weekends. And, even when you’re a salaried employee, your salary doesn’t cover those extra hours.
Sometimes, they sneak these hints into interview questions, like “We don’t mind putting in extra time without expecting anything, can you handle it?” or “We usually work through lunch here, are you willing to do that?”
See how they phrase it as a sign you’re a dedicated, quality employee? It’s a trap. High quality employees don’t work for free!
Job Interview Red Flags 4: Low Wages
During the interview, they’ll probably cover the job’s expectations and, hopefully, a hint about the salary range. If the work they expect from you sounds like way too much for the pay, that’s another one of the job interview red flags.
By the way, this includes non-profits. Even with a charitable mission you’re passionate about, they still need to pay you what you deserve.
For example, a friend was interviewing at a well known national non-profit. During the interview, the interviewer said, “You’ll be working close to 70 hours a week and only make $25,000- why are you okay with that?”
That—and anything similar—is one of the HUGE interview red flags. Asking you to accept or justify low wages and poor working conditions is a big sign you should gtfo.
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80% OF JOBS ARE ON THE HIDDEN MARKET—
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Are online job apps making your career sour? The key to candy coating your career is networking!
In this FREE workshop, I’ll teach you how to ditch your resume & grow the best resource you have as a job seeker: your network!
Red Flags in Job Interviews 5: Micromanaging
This one is huge! If you get any sign that someone will be a micromanaging supervisor, it’s definitely a red flag in a job interview.
For example, my first full time job after graduating required me to plan and submit a minute by minute report of what I’d be doing, where I’d be standing, and who I’d be talking to for the first 30 minutes of my day.
Yeah. If they’d mentioned that in the interview, I definitely would’ve reconsidered.
Sure, you’ll be a new employee, but that doesn’t mean you should be micromanaged. Too much involvement in what you’ll be doing and when is a big job interview red flag.
There needs to be a balance between their involvement and your independence. They’re hiring you because they believe in you, not to babysit you!
Job Interview Red Flags 6: Too Vague
On the opposite end, the job requirements shouldn’t be too vague, either. Even if it’s a new position, they should be able to give you some specific information.
Here are a few things employers should be upfront with you about:
- Clear objectives for the position, whether it’s new or old, and who will be supervising you as you complete them
- General picture of what a typical week and/or day will look like, even if it’s a fast-paced or constantly changing work environment
- How you’ll be evaluated, how often, and who will be evaluating you
They can’t tell you that? It’s one of the biggest red flags in job interviews!
Warning Signs of a Bad Employer 7: Disorganization
When you have a job interview, the employer is going to evaluate their first impression of you. You need to do the same to them.
If they seem totally disorganized during your interview process- from scheduling to their physical space- it’s an interview red flag.
Put some thought into how that disorganization could spill into your future work life. You want your employer to set you up for success. That doesn’t mean working around their mess!
Red Flags in Job Interviews 8: Rudeness
I’m sure you have a general idea of how to behave during an interview- ya know, don’t check your phone or get distracted. Your interviewer should be following those rules too, no matter how important their job is.
Here are a few bad employer red flags your job interviewer should pretty much never do:
- Interrupts you frequently
- Checks their phone
- Leaves to talk to other people
- Seems distracted
They need to think enough of YOU and the job you’ll do to give their full attention during interviews.
You should expect from the interviewer what they expect from you: basic manners and full attention. Job interviews are important, and they need to recognize that!
Looking for job interview red flags means having high expectations for yourself and holding potential employers to them. The biggest interview red flags to look for are asking illegal questions, requiring free labor, unfair working conditions, low wages, micromanaging, vague job description, disorganization, and rudeness. Remember, no matter how desperate you feel, you don’t need to deal with these red flags!
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