Interviews are not for the faint of heart. Here, we give you five red flags that will help keep your interview from being a disaster and save some time in the long run.
The red flags that you should watch out for during the job interview are the ones that will make your life miserable. The “job interview red flags you shouldn’t ignore” is a list of some of these flags.
Emma, one of my friends, recently applied for a job at a firm she’d long admired from afar. She arrived (virtually) enthusiastic, well-prepared, and optimistic.
She phoned to debrief me shortly after the interview. However, where the thrill should’ve been, there was nothing. She sounded more “meh” than “woohoo,” in my opinion.
“I’m still not sure what occurred,” she expressed her confusion. “They want me to meet with an executive panel next, but I’m hesitant because of my previous experience.”
We’re now in a buyers’ market, which means corporations are having to work twice as hard to recruit talent, and if you’re a talent, you have complete control. So, if you’re looking for your next job, you can—and should—be quite picky.
Of course, you won’t know much about a firm unless you’re currently working there. However, there are several signs to look out for throughout the interview process. And if your spidey sense is tingling like me, you should absolutely give it a listen.
Here are some warning signs to look out for.
Image courtesy of fizkes/iStock.
1. The interviewer’s energy level is ‘off.’
Whoever is interviewing you, regardless of their position or title, should present themselves as a brand advocate for the organization.
People exhibit their excitement in a variety of ways, so don’t anticipate dance or jazz hands. However, I believe you are entitled to the impression that the interviewer is excited to be there and is totally involved in your talk.
Had they appeared calmly, smiling, and as though they have time for you, whether in person or on screen? Or do they seem agitated, frenzied, rushing, or exhausted?
You can detect signs of attentiveness, eye contact, and how quietly they’re breathing even in a virtual interview. One frenzied individual might be an exception. But be cautious if it seems to be the norm.
Emma said that her interviewer seemed preoccupied and worried, and that she was not so subtly multitasking. As a result, Emma seemed like a task to be completed rather than a skill to be pursued. That firm does not have a good reputation.
DepositPhotos.com provided the image.
2. Interview questions resemble “gotcha” situations.
Certain large corporations were notorious for asking queries like, “How many dog hairs are there in the world?” when I graduated from college. or “How long would it take a length of thread to circle the earth twice?”
Isn’t it crazy? Granted, answering these questions properly did not imply that they were answered correctly. Because, after all, who knows? These questions were created to provide insight into your cognitive process to the interviewer.
But, let’s be honest, they were also meant to make you sweat, to demonstrate how you performed under pressure to the interviewer.
The good news is that you no longer have to deal with that line of questioning. An interview should test you, but it should also provide a comfortable environment where you may feel good about yourself.
Pay close attention to the questions you’re being asked. Do the questions seem to be geared to trip you up, or do they stem from a genuine interest in your experience, point of view, and interests?
Avoid companies who seem to be testing you rather than getting to know you.
DepositPhotos.com provided the image.
3. Your inquisitiveness is not welcome.
An interview, particularly in this day and age, should seem like a conversation—you should be asked questions but also invited to ask your own.
Great firms recognize that this is your chance to learn as much about them as they are learning about you. As a result, pay attention to how much time the interviewer gives you to ask them questions.
“Well, we’re just about out of time,” her interviewer responded with two minutes remaining in their hour, Emma told me, “but if you have a very fast question, I can attempt to answer it.”
Really?
You deserve to work for a business that cares as much about what’s on your mind as it does about the value you can provide. And, to be honest, if they’re a fantastic employer, they should want to show it out whenever possible.
Wait for an interviewer who wants to hear all of your questions about their culture, leadership, community involvement, employee affinity groups, and everything else you care about.
These are excellent indicators of a fantastic adventure ahead.
Emma was full of inquiries! And for the corporation, this was a major squandered opportunity.
Depositphotos provided the image.
4. They don’t mind criticizing their peers.
Do interviewers talk positively or negatively about a colleague or a boss inside the company? What signs or body language do they send out?
Every organization has defective individuals. However, in an interview aimed to attract you, a readiness to point out these problems might indicate a culture of contempt or unhealthy rivalry.
Emma saw a number of eye rolls when her interviewer mentioned the job that one of her coworkers was doing, and it bothered her.
You deserve to work in a collaborative and congenial environment. Your coworkers will have defects, but it is up to you to figure out what they are.
DepositPhotos.com provided the image.
5. There is no omission to mention.
Trust no one who refuses to recognize failure, whether individual or communal.
A corporation without any failures is either missing in honesty or in innovation, risk tolerance, and the drive to innovate. And we should all be on the lookout for opportunities to learn, progress, and prepare for the next big thing.
So make sure you inquire about a failure they’ve overcome, no matter how large or little. They should be able to provide an example. Things’s also crucial to pay attention to how they explain it. Are they pointing fingers or are they blushing? Or may they emphasize a lesson learned and a collaborative effort to correcting the error?
If you’re looking for your next job, keep in mind that first impressions are everything. Make a fantastic one for yourself, but hold any business to the same quality. You have earned the right to arrive somewhere that will please you.
MediaFeed.org syndicated this story, which originally appeared on QuickandDirtyTips.com.
Three Spots / iStock contributed to this image.
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Georgijevic provided the image.
AlertMe
The “interview questions red flags” are signs that you should watch out for during an interview. They include things like being asked about your salary requirements, or if you have any other offers.
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