As much as a job seeker is trying to impress a potential employer with their skills and experience, it’s equally important for them to pay attention to how the company is treating them. This means that job seekers should be evaluating the potential employer to make sure the company would be a good fit for them as much as they could be a good fit for the company and role.  

As you interview for jobs, it’s important to pay attention to red flags that might be a warning to walk away. Some red flags could signal the company has deeper issues that you may not want to get involved with – especially as a new employee. 

7 Red Flags to Watch Out for While Interviewing 

Here are some red flags to keep an eye out for as you interview potential employers. 

Red flag #1: Disorganized interview process 

If the hiring and interviewing process seems unorganized, this could provide insight into how the company operates behind the scenes. Interview red flags could include rescheduling multiple times without notice, interviewers being unprepared or distracted, and a lack of communication throughout the process.  

All these examples could indicate poor communication, lack of collaboration, and an unclear decision-making process. 

Red flag #2: Vague job descriptions 

It’s crucial for candidates going through the interview process to know what the job is and what it would entail. If interviewers aren’t able to share what success looks like or they give inconsistent answers about responsibilities and goals, it might be worth reconsidering this position. Watch out for answers like “we’ll figure it out as we go” and no clarity on measuring performance.  

Additionally, notice responses from different interviewers to make sure answers aren’t inconsistent because that could mean there is confusion or poorly defined expectations, which could set you up for failure down the road. 

Red flag #3: Negative comments about former employees 

A major red flag to watch out for is if the interviewer speaks poorly of the former employee who had the role or shares inappropriate details about other candidates. Make sure you pay attention to this because this is a sign of a toxic work environment and poor leadership.  

Interviewers should be professional, and a good employer will focus on the future and on the value you could bring to the company. 

Red flag #4: Unclear boundaries 

When companies use buzzwords like “we are just like a family” or “we have a start-up mentality,” this could be code for lack of boundaries or support.

You need to make sure to ask follow-up questions to completely understand the expectations of your role and the culture of the company. Trust your gut if something feels off.  

Red flag #5: Avoidance around work-life balance 

Jumping off the last point, make sure to ask about flexibility and work-life balance. This also includes PTO and other benefits. If you feel like these questions are brushed off or met with awkwardness, the company may not value employee well-being. Ask questions like, “What does a typical workweek look like?” or “How does the team support work-life balance?” 

Pay attention to these answers and if at all you feel they are vague, this might reflect a culture that doesn’t prioritize or respect employees’ boundaries. 

Red flag #6: Unrealistic expectations 

If you’re seeing a laundry list of responsibilities paired with a modest salary and the expectations sound a bit too aggressive, you might want to be cautious. Expectations should be fair and growth within a team should be supported.  

Make sure to ask about onboarding, training and what success looks like in the first 90 days. 

Red flag #7: Lack of growth opportunities 

Pay attention to turnover at the company and ask questions about it. If most employees have only been there a few months or the interviewer doesn’t want to talk about turnover, keep investigating.  

Ask how long the team has been together, what internal promotions have happened, and why the previous person left the role.  

Trust Your Gut 

Interviews are the perfect opportunity for job seekers to gather information and analyze what their future at a company could look like. Make sure to pay attention to the energy of the conversation, see how questions are received and whether your time, experience and curiosity as the job seeker is appreciated.  

Job seekers can often be distracted by a good paycheck, but they should always take caution of the workplace and know that it’s ok to walk away if something doesn’t feel right.