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“Leave Immediately”: 30 Netizens Discuss Red Flags To Be Aware Of When Attending A Job Interview
Interview
You don’t mind working overtime if need be now, do you?
The sick days are limited but the pizza during office parties is not!
We’re like a family here, so employees don’t really mind answering a phone call or receiving an email after work.
If you think that these phrases sound like warning signs when said in a job interview, that’s because they most likely are; asking about overtime is arguably the company checking to see how willing you are to go the extra mile, the pizza comment means that you might have to put your work above your health in times when you should be resting, and comparing themselves to a family is only accurate if the family the interviewer is referring to is somewhat dysfunctional.
But these three instances are far from the only signs indicating that a certain workplace might not be the best choice. Members of the ‘Ask Reddit’ community recently discussed more of such indicators, after the user ‘photo_inbloom’ asked them about red flags that everyone should be aware of when attending a job interview.
If you’re curious to learn what red flags netizens described, scroll down to find them on the list below, where you will also find Bored Panda’s interviews with the OP themselves and with the director of Lerner College Career Services Center at the University of Delaware, Jill Panté, who was kind enough to answer a few of our questions on job interviews.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
If they tell you on arrival that the job you applied for is no longer available, but they have a VERY SIMILAR position that JUST OPENED UP - leave immediately.
It's a bait and switch tactic coupled with the sunk cost fallacy. The "new" position will be identical to the original one you applied for - except the salary is significantly lower. They're hoping that you'll play along because you showed up to be interviewed, probably desperate for work and will accept any job - no matter the wage.
Furthermore, the position you applied for doesn't really exist - or at least not at the advertised wage.
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#2
My (female) ex was applying for a manager role. Interview panel included a male ceo, a female leader and don't remember who else.
At the end, my ex directed a question at the female leader about her experiences there as a female leader.
The ceo jumped in before she could answer and answered for her.
That said a lot.
#3
"We don't like 'clockwatchers' here. We expect everyone to be committed." Expecting more work for no extra pay. Getting mad at you when you leave at 5 even though your stated work hours end at 5.
In an interview with Bored Panda, the OP shared that they decided to start a thread on the topic after they were laid off from their job. “It was a very toxic environment to work in. I’ve been attending job interviews this week and wanted to be aware of what to look out for,” they shared.
“I found [the discussion] very beneficial because I’m now keeping all these answers in mind as I attend job interviews while looking for a job.”
#5
"We only want the best of the best"
Me: "how much are you paying?"
"Minimum wage".
“I’ve noticed that when management says they treat everyone like family that it ends up being a lie,” u/photo_inbloom said, asked about the red flags they have observed firsthand when interviewing for a job. “When managers say that, they actually have favorites and treat everyone else like garbage. They do not care about you and only see you as a number rather than as a human being.”
#6
One red flag for sure is when they talk about how the company is "like a family." 🥴 Like, that usually means they expect you to be super available all the time and put the job above everything else, even your actual life.
#7
If the interviewer is late for your interview. If you were late, they wouldn’t even consider hiring you. It works both ways.
#8
I brought up a company’s awful Glassdoor reviews and they got so mad they ended the interview. Well. Guess I dodged that bullet.
According to the OP, it’s extremely important to pay attention and keep such red flags in mind, especially during job interviews. “I’m guilty of ignoring red flags and I’m trying to get better at not doing that,” they admitted.
“I think that even if a job sounds perfect you need to really dive into what is expected of you and how the company words things when interviewing you. Anything could be a trap and you need to be careful – carefully consider everything they are telling you and perhaps even write it all down. Speak to a friend and get their second opinion on it as well.”
#9
"Nobody wants to work anymore" - You're about to find out exactly why nobody wants to work for them.
Seriously, *every single* job I've worked that said that during an interview was toxic and grossly underpaid.
#10
Pre-internet red flags that still apply.
1. Check the condition of employees' cars.
2. Check building condition.
#11
"Well, the overtime isn't *mandatory*, but most folks stick around after hours most days."
Spoilers: The overtime is mandatory.
According to Jill Panté, the director of the Lerner College Career Services Center and an expert in professional development and interviewing, it’s important for interviewees to pay attention to potential red flags as they act as an early warning system for what the job may become.
“Paying attention to different types of red flags can help job seekers avoid entering a workplace that may not align with their professional goals,” she said. “For example, if the company is vague about the culture, career advancement, or daily responsibilities and expectations, that could be a warning sign or a red flag that the company is disorganized and may suggest internal confusion and instability.”
#12
When you are signing all the forms they give you and you are taking your time to read over every document so that you can fully understand what you are getting into and people come in and start telling you that you don't need to read this and that just sign here and so on.
#14
When you ask, "Tell me about a time when one of your employees really impressed you." and they cannot give you a SINGLE example.
My current job gave me MULTIPLE examples of how their team members impressed them. That's how I knew I wanted to work there.
In comparison, when I asked this in another interview, the answer was, "There's so many instances and I can't focus on only one." which I interpreted as, "I don't value my staff in the least." I was glad not to get that offer.
Asked about the red flags Jill Panté herself would advise interviewees to be aware of, she emphasized lack of professionalism, unclear expectations, poor communication, lack of flexibility, and high turnover as some of the main ones to watch out for. “These warning signs can indicate deeper problems with the company such as toxic leadership, disorganization, and lack of regard for employee well-being.”
#15
If you have to make any financial investment into the company in order to work there.
I interviewed for a window installation company and did well on the test. They wanted me in sales and said I needed to pay for a laptop. They would cover it and take it out of my checks if I didn't have the cash to pay upfront.
#16
A red flag is when the interviewer doesn’t ask about your experience or skills in detail but focuses on your willingness to work long hours or handle excessive workloads. It could mean they expect you to overwork.
#17
One time they said "We expect people to work here for the fun of it, not the money". Inspired by a Dilbert comic, my response was "If you really mean that, then how about you give me your money and I'll give you the fun part?"
“Asking questions during the interview process is imperative to make sure you uncover or address any red flags as well as making sure the company is aligned with your career goals,” J. Panté told Bored Panda, suggesting that addressing red flags can help clear the air around certain matters, whether it works to the advantage or disadvantage of the company.
“For example, if you want to work for a company that invests in its employees’ career growth, ask questions about a typical career path, opportunities to learn new skills, or the reasons why the previous person left the role. These questions can help you figure out the company’s commitment to their employees.”
#18
If they say things like "we've had trouble filling this position" or give hints about having a high turnover rate. There's a reason everyone's leaving.
Learned this the hard way.
#19
Recruitment processes that have 4+ rounds spanning months. Broken management structure that cannot make a decision and also delusional a decent candidate won't have better options.
Asking questions is also important if the interviewee doesn't form too good of a first impression of the company, as it might be worth giving the benefit of the doubt.
“The first impression often sets the tone for the overall perception of a company,” J. Panté noted, “But if job seekers experience a bad first impression, I recommend doing a little more research on the company (using resources like Glassdoor or LinkedIn) and giving it a second chance before walking away.
“If you are given the job offer and still have reservations, request another call to address your concerns before making a final decision. For companies, a low job offer acceptance rate should prompt a thorough review of the hiring process to identify areas for improvement.”
#21
A major red flag to watch for during a job interview is if the interviewer or company representative speaks negatively about current or former employees. This behavior can indicate a toxic work environment where blame and negativity are commonplace.
#22
One of my go-to questions for an interviewer is, "In the past ten years, how many years have your employees received cost-of-living raises that meet or exceed the annual inflation rate? And how often have they also received merit-based increases above and beyond that amount?"
A s****y company won't answer the question.
A good company will give you an honest answer.
A great company will give you an honest answer of "Ten.".
#23
Making you wait. I had a boss who would do this. We did a lot of interviews, because we had a lot of turnover. Geez, I wonder why. He would say he wanted to see who really wanted it. I would say they’re here early/on time, they want it.
One thing that can help companies improve their hiring processes while helping interviewees work on their skills, too, is transparency. Discussing this with Bored Panda, Jill Panté pointed out that the more we share with others, the more information and advice people can receive to improve their chances of success.
“Hearing about different experiences can also provide more details surrounding the job search process as a whole, as well as common interview questions, and the best way to answer these questions. By learning from real-life situations, job seekers can adjust their strategies and build confidence for their own interview.”
#24
Had a guy one time ask me how old my children were. I think he was trying to sus out if I would be able to work all kinds of crazy hours. If they pry too much into your personal life, that’s not good.
#25
When they can’t even bother to look at your resume like bro if you want me to work for you at least fake it.
#26
"These will be your responsibilities, but you might be asked to do take on this and that role." Prepare to take 3 jobs for the salary of 1.
#27
I went into an interview for a low-level admin position, and they made my put my cell phone in a bucket up front, stating "no phones are allowed in the back. it reduces productivity." Big NOPE for me.
#28
Bull****t psychological questions clearly designed to throw you off of your practiced material. Like, describe yourself in 3 words.
#29
If your interview is between 12 to 2, look around. If everyone is at their cubicle eating their lunch. Red flag.
#30
I interviewed with one of the big ticket networks. It’s based in Southern New England.
The pre-screen call with the hiring manager went well and our views about writing code, source control and documentation were spot on so I thought I’d give it a shot.
When I arrived they took my driver’s license from me and told me they’d hold it while I was on site. Then they wanted to do a credit check while I was taking a series of grammar, basic intelligence and JavaScript tests.
I told them there’s no way I was going to get my credit dinged with a hard credit check before an offer. The woman from HR… just. didn’t. get. it.
I made sure they stopped the credit check, collected my license, and walked out.
I sat in the car for a minute, thinking about the very odd vibe of the place, how they treated me, and wondered about the culture of a place that would do these things.
Since then, they have been outed for a whole bunch of issues, including [big surprise] HR ethics.
Looking back, I never should have considered working in that place.
I’m very happy where I work now, my boss is smart and flexible and I’m doing good work — as opposed to screwing concert goers.
Near miss!
What do you think ?
Justin Tyme 2 months ago
I drove four hours to a scheduled job interview (obviously I was willing to relocate). I was kept waiting for almost an hour until a staff member finally came and met me. The person gave me a quick tour of the building and asked a few basic questions. Then the person told me "The manager who does job interviews is out at meetings today. We will have to schedule another time to do the interview." I was surprised and didn't know what to do. But then I asked them to withdraw my application. A few days later they contacted me and tried to schedule a job interview.
Sophia Athene 2 months ago (edited)
My husband drove six hours (mileage compensated) and the interviewers were there. But they never contacted him about getting the job or not. After some time, you know you didn't but for the love of the heavens, earth, and molten core, please contact all interviewees regardless!!!!!
Load More Replies... Justin Tyme 2 months ago (edited)
An interviewer asked my age, which is an illegal job interview question in my country. I asked "How is that relevant to the job?" The person told me "It isn't." I responded "So then why did you ask?" They didn't hire me.
illanna christanos 2 months ago
most applications, in the US, have a date of birth, simple math would give them age. so is also a stupid question
Load More Replies... Justin Tyme 2 months ago
An interviewer asked me "If you could be any kind of cow, would you be a chocolate cow, a vanilla cow, or a strawberry cow?" I answered "I'm not going to play this." Then I walked out.
Justin Tyme 2 months ago
I drove four hours to a scheduled job interview (obviously I was willing to relocate). I was kept waiting for almost an hour until a staff member finally came and met me. The person gave me a quick tour of the building and asked a few basic questions. Then the person told me "The manager who does job interviews is out at meetings today. We will have to schedule another time to do the interview." I was surprised and didn't know what to do. But then I asked them to withdraw my application. A few days later they contacted me and tried to schedule a job interview.
Sophia Athene 2 months ago (edited)
My husband drove six hours (mileage compensated) and the interviewers were there. But they never contacted him about getting the job or not. After some time, you know you didn't but for the love of the heavens, earth, and molten core, please contact all interviewees regardless!!!!!
Load More Replies... Justin Tyme 2 months ago (edited)
An interviewer asked my age, which is an illegal job interview question in my country. I asked "How is that relevant to the job?" The person told me "It isn't." I responded "So then why did you ask?" They didn't hire me.
illanna christanos 2 months ago
most applications, in the US, have a date of birth, simple math would give them age. so is also a stupid question
Load More Replies... Justin Tyme 2 months ago
An interviewer asked me "If you could be any kind of cow, would you be a chocolate cow, a vanilla cow, or a strawberry cow?" I answered "I'm not going to play this." Then I walked out.
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