I’m a recruitment expert and here are eight interview red flags that suggest you may NOT want a job at that firm
The pressure of a job interview may seem like a one-way relationship where you’re trying to jump through hoop after hoop to impress your potential employer, but you want to make sure they’re good employers themselves.
With that in mind, job seekers have been warned to spot eight warning signs that an employer may need to avoid.
There are a number of laws that recruiters must adhere to, and you can also expect them to observe some basic courtesies if they are a respectable employer.
‘Interview expert’ Richard McMunn announced the list to his 4.3 million TikTok followers.
Mr. McMunn has been coaching people for job interviews for over a decade through his YouTube channel – CareerVidz – and website.
‘Interview expert’ Richard McMunn has revealed eight warning signs to look out for when interviewing and applying for jobs
Mr McMunn’s first warning sign to look out for was illegal and inappropriate questions, but these are not as obvious as you might expect
Inappropriate or illegal questions
Mr. McMunn’s first red flag was illegal or inappropriate questions, which may not be as obvious as you think.
He began: ‘If the interviewer asks you questions that are not relevant to your ability to perform the role to the required standards, you should be very careful.’
The interview coach said this would include everything about your sexual orientation, marital status, who you live with, family plans and your age.
Other illegal questions that British employers may ask include questions about your country of birth, whether English is your first language, how much sick time you have been in the last year you worked and any previous criminal convictions – unless these are actually relevant to the job .
Similar laws exist in both the US and Australia.
High employee turnover
The second warning Mr McMunn gave was high staff turnover.
While this may be the reason a position opens up for you, it can also be an indication of a toxic work culture.
You may want to ask your interviewer why there is such a high turnover during your interview. The job may provide employees with a good springboard for future positions, or it may force them to work long hours for low pay.
Vague job description
A possibly clearer warning sign would be a vague job description.
This suggests that the employer is not focused on what he or she actually wants from you, and that your future with the company, should you get the position, becomes uncertain the moment you walk in the door.
Even worse, if you see this when applying for a job, it could indicate that the listing is a scam.
Negative reviews
The fourth and probably most obvious of all red flags are negative reviews.
Websites like Glass door And Indeed offering job seekers the opportunity to read testimonials from previous employers, with reviews including scores and descriptions of the job.
However, Mr McMunn added in a comment: ‘Please note that an employee who has something negative to say is more likely to leave a review than an employee who is happy in the company.’
The interviewer is late
If you’re late for a job interview, the interviewer will probably think you don’t take the job, their business, and their time seriously – so why should it be any different in the opposite direction?
If your interviewer is late for no good reason when you’re just an interviewee, it’s a sign that he or she probably doesn’t care about you as an employee either.
The interviewer is disinterested
Likewise, according to Mr. McMunn, this should again be a red flag if an interviewer is disengaged while you answer their questions, or ask them some questions yourself.
If an interviewer isn’t engaged while you’re answering his questions, or asking him some questions yourself, this should be another red flag, according to the expert.
They answer your questions poorly
Mr McMunn specifically mentioned vague answers as ones to be aware of.
Some of his suggestions are for specific questions that a good employer should be able to answer.
“What are the plans for the company over the next few years,” he suggested, “and how can I help you achieve them?
‘Or what advice would you give to the successful candidate who wants to excel in this role?’
He noted, “If the interviewer is unwilling to answer these simple questions, or if the answers are vague, he or she may not be interested in your ambitions or your professional needs.”
Lack of transparency
Mr McMunn said a lack of transparency “could indicate there may be a toxic work environment.”
This lack of transparency may be related to the role, salary and working conditions.