Don't Ignore the Interview Red Flags

It’s no secret that your mental health can be impacted during your job search journey.?Between the countless number of applications that are submitted into what often feels like the abyss, to interviewing without feedback or closure that you weren’t selected.?So, when we finally get that interview, we tend to put our blinders up and just focus on getting the offer, ignoring our needs as an employee and often ignoring the red flags potential employers show us during the interview process.

Several years ago, I worked for a company where the day-to-day responsibilities felt like I was slowly killing my career as my skills, experience and expertise were severely underutilized.?There weren’t any signs of opportunities for to me be developed professionally.?And on top of all of that, I was not well compensated AT ALL.?I knew that I needed to get out.?However, instead of taking my time to be intentional in my job search by getting clear on what I wanted and needed in my next role and employer, I blindly jumped right in.?I based my job search on what I wasn’t happy with in my job instead of aligning it with my career goals. ?I ultimately accepted the first role that would save me from my that employer. However, shortly taking that save me role, I knew I made a mistake.?Looking back, I can now see how I ignored several red flags during the interview process.?

Values Conflict

According to a LinkedIn Survey conducted in February 2023, one-quarter of the people surveyed say the biggest challenge in finding a job at a company that’s committed to the culture or values they care about is knowing whether the company is truly committed or if it's performative.

As a Native New Yorker, raising Afro-Latina daughters, I truly value a diverse and inclusive work culture that is not performative.?Environments that align with that are where I thrive and feel the most comfortable.?Looking back, I should have known that that employer’s culture was a mismatch, and my DEI values weren’t aligned with theirs.??I was interviewed by a non-diverse panel of six people.?The employees who were in the office location at the time of my interview were not diverse nor were a majority of the employee population (at the time and former employees) via LinkedIn.?I was going to be a token hire. ??

We’re Family but We Aren’t Family Owned OR We’re Like a Family Here

If during the interview, the refer to their culture as “everyone here is family” RUN, as this most likely means that they aren’t boundaries between work and home.??If actual family members who work there are in leadership positions, RUN faster.?Family issues will spill into work as lines are blurred and can quickly become an extremely toxic environment.?

You’ll Wear a Lot of Hats

I initially took this as a great learning opportunity from a career perspective.?Great, I’ll get to do more than just recruiting and will grow professionally. ?In reality that meant, we’re going to make you do the work of at least two people but will only pay you for one. ?

Too Many Decision Makers and a Lengthy Interview Process

I didn’t experience a lengthy interview process with this employer as I had a phone interview and an in-person interview before being extended an offer.?However, my in-person interview was with six, yes SIX people including three who conferenced in.?Though the interview process was brief, looking back having so many people interview me at the same time and the disorganization of how questions were being asked represented an unclear hierarchy and definitely not a united front.?Once an employee, I was able to see how this was a reflection of the company and its culture.?Their interview process was undefined, lack consistency.?One position in particular included adding additional interviews with members of senior leadership, wanting a candidate for another role who they had yet to extend an offer to interview a candidate (yes you read that correctly – a non-employee to conduct an interview), a three-hour personality assessment and an in-person presentations and projects all for one role.?The person was ultimately hired for the position, but throughout the entire process I secretly wanted to scream RUN and cringed each time I had to reach out and coordinate another unexpected event in the interviewing journey.

Get Familiar with Illegal Interview Questions

A lot of interviewers are not trained and thus are often unaware of illegal questions that shouldn’t be asked, let alone how their unconscious bias impacts in the interviewing and selection process.?Here are a few illegal questions to keep on your radar:

• What is your current or prior salary??This question is illegal in several states.??Why??Asking for salary history perpetuates pay discrimination from job to job as employers will use this information determine a new hire’s salary.
• What year did you graduate high school??This is a sneaky way for the interviewer to try to determine your age, which can potentially lead to age discrimination.?
• Are you going to want to take time off for religious holidays? The interviewer is really asking you what religion you follow and based on your response, could potentially discriminate against you.?

What do you when faced with illegal interview questions??You don’t have to answer illegal employment questions.?Redirect the interview to your talk about your experience and interest in the role.?If the interview is persistent and if you’re comfortable, ask how the question is relevant as the question is illegal.?Please note, you do not need to continue interviewing if you are uncomfortable.?You have the right to withdraw your application and walk out.?

So, how do you navigate these red flags??I always remind my clients to remember their power and right to be selective.?You are interviewing the employer too and making observations of similar things to include body language, employees, how the environment makes you feel.

Before a company begins their recruitment process, they write a job description for a role that includes responsibilities, requirements and a preferred skillset.?If you were to write an employer description, what would that include??What would you include in your requirements and preferred section for your potential employer.?What are your non-negotiables??

Get clear on what’s most important to you – work/life balance, benefits, culture, projects you’ll be a part of, management style, opportunities for growth and advancement, professional development opportunities, just to name a few.??This will help you filter out companies who don’t offer you what you want and deserve.?As you prepare for your interviews, you will be able to craft questions that extract information from the interviewer so you can continue to assess and determine if you want to proceed with interviewing with that employer.

When being interviewed, don’t be afraid to ask follow and clarifying questions.???Saying yes to a job offer is a significant decision and an investment of your time, energy and expertise.?Make sure you have all the information you need to make the best decision.?