Looking at this photo, what are the odds this candidate will get the job? 50%, 60%? We don’t know really do we.
Look closer… she is not looking at the candidate, she’s looking at his lack of wearing socks. There may be a medical reason why he’s not, but we don’t know this, right? We would have to know the outcome of the conversation.
I’ve always been told to dress for the job you want, not for the job you’re interviewing for, by today’s standards, I have come to realize, it’s more about the individual than their clothes. Or is it?
If you have an interview coming up, there are many variables to consider. One, do you really want the job. Second, are you prepared? Third, what are you wearing.
In doing a little bit of research, and in my own experiences, red flags have popped up in interviews and were ignored. In fact, early on in my corporate career, hiring managers would have me sit and wait as long as an hour. Only to come out, give a halfhearted apology, and the interview last for less than 30 minutes. Just one example, I’m sure you have your own.
But let’s, really look at the top red flags as a candidate you don’t want to ignore. If you’re intuition is telling you during the interview to leave, then leave, it’s perfectly ok.
You might be thinking….what? And this is ok too.
After taking a closer look at these red flags, you may have a change of heart. Always keep in mind an interview IS a two-way conversation, and you are in control of more than you think.
Lack of Organization
I rate this one HIGH! Yes, people get busy, and organizations have call outs and no shows. Nonetheless, if you experience 2 or more reschedules to your interview, a “thank you, but no thank you” is in order. I’m speaking from experience on this one. Don’t be a doormat to an interview. You are much more valuable, than someone you’ve never met. Move on.
And who’s to say, you finally get the interview and even the job, you may find it’s not the right fit for you and quit within a year. Yes, this happens… and often.
Lack of Transparency
I have skilled myself in deciphering a job description. Who writes these, Shakespeare’s great-great-great-great-grandson? Speaking from experience again, learn to pick out certain terms and words, that would describe for example, a sale job you don’t want. For example, the word “hunter”, “road warriors”, “referrals”, “building and fostering rapport”, “CRM, and “Salesforce”. Employers can be elusive in job description and during the interview for many reasons, but what I have found is the job description, is not truly the daily tasks of the job. Bring the job description with you to the interview, gather your questions from that, and tune in to the responses of your questions. You don’t want to be a partner in a “bait and switch” campaign. Job descriptions should be clear and you should know what the role is, period.
High Turnover
Frequent turnover in the position you’re applying for can indicate a toxic work environment, lack of advancement opportunities, or other underlying issues within the company. According, to Moneyzine, “47% of millennials plan to leave their jobs within two years, and Gen Zers report a comparable number”
Most high turnover in organizations are due to poor management. Ask the question during the interview process, “what is the turnover rate in the role? What is the turnover rate in the company? I have been on Indeed and have seen the same job with the same company posted 3 or 4 times within a year. This is a BIG red flag.
Too Many Interviews
Companies can learn a thing or two on this one. There is no need to interview a person 3 or 4 times. They are not the same person, that left the job. 1 interview and maybe a Panel interview with no more than 3 stakeholders should be enough. If you can’t make a decision with this formula, have the potential hire shadow the job for a day.
If you are being subjected to a lot of interviews, this is a red flag. An excessively long and repetitive interview process, involving multiple rounds with different interviewers, can be a sign of inefficiency and a lack of decision-making ability within the organization. You want to work for a confident organization.
Values are Mismatched
What we value is important to us. Know your dealbreakers. You don’t want to work for a company that is not aligned with who you are and what you stand for. There is no need to sell your skills to a company, only to lose your identity to it. Hear me on this one. Do your research, during the interview process, ask questions about the company’s mission statement, repeat it to the interviewer (impressive!) and ask the interviews opinion? Listen to the responses given, a company needs to be cohesive in their mission and principles, find out if they are.
It’s much better to find out during the interview process that a company is disorganized and lacks clarity and principles than get in there and quit 6 months later.
Lack of Connection
During the interview process whether it’s the first or the last, you want to feel a connection. If the conversation doesn’t flow from the get-go, this is a red flag.
This is more of an annoyance than anything to me, really. If a company has already made their minds up even before your interview, or even during the upcoming rounds of another interview they scheduled, effective communication skills in sharing this information with you would be helpful to you. But what you find out and realize the company’s communications is ineffective.
I am sure you have many talents and skillsets you would like to offer, but a company that does this to a candidate is just wasting time.
Trust Your Intuition
Red flags can appear even before your first interview. Don’t ignore them, just to interview for a job you find out later you didn’t want to begin with. You want the RIGHT job for YOU. Trust your intuition. If a red flag doesn’t sit well with you, it’s worth considering how much it may affect your overall job satisfaction.
Evaluate your own tolerance for taking on a job with potential red flags. Consider the potential consequences and how they align with your career goals and lifestyle.
Consider how the red flag may impact your career trajectory and long-term job satisfaction. Is this a short-term issue, or could it become a long-term problem?
Can the red flag be addressed or resolved through communication or action on the part of the employer?
TRUST YOUR INTUITION.
“In the journey of your career, red flags may be the caution signs that lead you to better opportunities. They remind us that our path is not without obstacles but also not without solutions. Embrace the lessons they offer and let them guide you towards the fulfilling and successful career you deserve.” -Ellen Garrett
Word of Encouragement
Recognizing and addressing red flags during job interviews is vital for securing a satisfying and fulfilling career.
By trusting your instincts, asking critical questions, and conducting thorough research, you can make informed decisions that lead you to a brighter professional future.
Remember, red flags can be steppingstones to better opportunities if you approach them with a thoughtful and discerning mindset.
We’ll chat soon,
