5 Red Flags to Look Out for During an Interview

So you landed a job interview. Congratulations! It's a highly competitive market, and getting a job interview means you're one step closer to taking the next step in your career.

However, the interview process can be stressful and lengthy. Some companies require initial phone meetings, others have panel interviews, and some require you to have multiple interviews with different company representatives. 

No matter the type of job interview you're preparing for, remember that you're interviewing the company just as much as they're interviewing you. An employment arrangement should be mutually beneficial, and you should feel happy about the possibility of working with them. 

As you go through the interview process, look out for these five job interview red flags. Although one red flag might not be a dealbreaker, multiple red flags can help you decide whether this job or company is the right fit for you. 

1. The role you're interviewing for is different than the role you applied for

Job listings are typically detailed, and depending on the role, you may have needed to spend quite a bit of time answering preliminary questions or writing a cover letter. Because of this, you should have a general understanding of the role you're applying for, and your interviewer should have some basic information on your qualifications. 

If it feels like you're being interviewed for a completely different job than the one you applied for, this could indicate the company doesn't have a clear idea of what they want out of the role.

You should feel entitled to ask clarifying questions about what your job duties will be and what the job listing states.

2. The interviewer speaks negatively about existing or previous employees

A workplace should prioritize respect and discretion. For example, if the person interviewing you says one or more disparaging comments about current or previous employees, this could reflect a toxic company culture. 

Just as you should avoid speaking ill of your previous employers, you should expect the company you're interviewing with to avoid saying negative things about employees. 

Ace Your Next Interview

Register today and get more interview advice to help you land your next job.

Job Seeker Sign In

Sign in with Google

Sign in with LinkedIn

Sign in with Apple

Or, use your email address:

Next

We value your privacy

3. They are inconsiderate of your time

Finding a time to meet can be challenging, but if the company you're applying to work with doesn't value your time, that's a red flag. Look out for the following as you go through the interview process. 

• They reschedule your interview multiple times.
• They take days to respond to your email correspondence. 
• They schedule your start date without leaving you enough time to give your current employer two weeks' notice. 

4. They ask you illegal interview questions

You are legally protected from discrimination when applying for a job, which means interviewers are prohibited from asking specific questions during your interview (and after you're hired). Questions that may result in you being discriminated against based on your race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religious identity, color, nationality, pregnancy, or disability are strictly forbidden. 

Questions like the following are red flags in a job interview:

• Are you pregnant?
• How old are you?
• Are you a US citizen?
• Do you have any kids?

When asked any of these questions, it's best to answer in a way that ensures you're capable of performing the job. However, you should never work for an employer that makes you feel uncomfortable, and you should not feel that you need to continue the interview if you're asked any of the above questions. 

5. You don't get a good feeling

Don't overcomplicate it. You should feel excited when you're offered a job you spent time applying for and interviewing for! If your gut is telling you this doesn't feel right or doesn't seem like a good fit, you should consider listening to it. 

This doesn't need to reflect poorly on you or the company you interviewed with — sometimes, a great candidate and a great business just aren't great together. Think of a job interview like a first date; you don't necessarily need to feel fireworks right away, but you also shouldn't be itching to get home. 

More Resources for Job Seekers

The interview process can tell you a lot about the role you'll be hired to perform and the company you'll be working for. Navigating the job market can be complicated, and knowing how to differentiate a bad employer from a good one before accepting a job can save you a lot of time and frustration. 

Now that you know what to look out for during an interview, check out iHire's Job Seeker Resource Center for tips to help you land your next job and avoid jobs not worth pursuing.