Red Flags During Interviews that Job Seekers Should Not Ignore
You’ve landed an interview! Congratulations. Your resume and networking skills have paid off and you can hardly believe you’ve make it this far. Now if you can just get through this interview, everything will be great. If you can just sit up straight, stay calm, and answer questions in a forthright manner, you’ll be locked in and on your way.
Hold on for a minute… Did the interviewer just hint that the company CEO is being indicted for something? What did she mean by “closing this office and moving to Boston by 2012?” It doesn’t matter. She’s still smiling. She probably likes you!
When we become immersed in the job search process, any job can seem like a golden opportunity. Our standards can easily become flexible, we can overestimate our frustration tolerance (A two hour commute doesn’t sound great…but I’ll deal with it), and even our moral bearings can become a bit blurred (I really don’t want to be part of this… but the pay seems right). During the interview, listen for the following hints. And if you hear them, don’t ignore them.
The company may not be around for very long
Factor this into your long term plans. If you’re on the street again in a few months, how will this affect your career goals and your financial stability?
The position may run counter to your values system
“Will you be okay with that?” is a very common interview question. It usually follows an honest (sometimes oblique) statement about the underbelly of the business model or a sketchy, demeaning or unpleasant aspect of the position. Don’t just nod eagerly. Think. Listen.
You’ll be traveling a lot
Again, don’t just say yes. Think about the lifestyle you need, want, and can tolerate before you jump in with both feet.
There’s no room for you to grow here
Listen closely when an employer levels with you about this. Honesty is in her best interests, and you should be honest with her in turn. If you plan to use the company as a short-term stepping stone, recognize this and think about it before you sign on.