During a job interview, candidates must be aware of subtle cues that employers watch out for to assess their suitability for the role. While these signs, or “interview red flags,” aren’t necessarily a guarantee that a candidate will be taken out of the running, but it will be a trigger to ask more detailed questions or dig more into the candidate’s background. By being mindful of these red flags and demonstrating your best qualities, you can make a positive and lasting impression on potential employers.
Knowing what interview red flags to watch out for can help you prepare for your interview. And who better to know the most common of these interview red flags than those who meet with new candidates day-in and day-out?
1. Lack of Preparation
Candidates who haven’t researched the company or the role they’re applying for. Employers can easily detect lack of preparation, so it’s crucial to research the company thoroughly. Familiarize yourself with the organization’s values, mission, and recent achievements to demonstrate your genuine interest.
Also ensure you have read the job description and know what they are looking for in the role. Also read sites such as Glassdoor for reviews from current and previous employees. That information can give you some inside information to ask more inquisitive questions.
2. Arriving Late
Punctuality issues can indicate a lack of time management skills or respect for others’ time. Arriving late for an interview showcases a lack of time management skills and disrespect for the interviewer’s time. Plan your journey well in advance, considering potential delays, to ensure you arrive on time or even a little early. Being prompt not only portrays your professionalism but also sets a positive tone for the interview.
3. Inappropriate Attire
Candidates who dress inappropriately for the interview setting might lack professionalism. Always keep in mind dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Even if the role’s attire is more casual on a day to day basis, always take it up a notch and present your best self. When in doubt its better to be overdressed than underdressed for any occasion.
4. Overemphasis on Salary
Another interview red flag is when candidates are overly focused on compensation rather than the job responsibilities and company culture. Before you get to the interview you should do your research on other sites, such as Glassdoor to see what salary information you can find on your own. Solid companies will put a range in the job posting as a guide any way.
Recommend not addressing the salary topic until you are called back for another interview, that is how you know they are interested. But if you are going to inquire, do so at the end and ask what the range may be. They may even ask you as well, so its best to save it for the end.
5. Inability to Articulate Ideas
Poor communication skills or difficulty expressing thoughts clearly is definitely one of the interview red flags that are noted in the interviewer’s notes. Body language and communication skills are paramount during interviews. Employers pay close attention to non-verbal cues such as eye contact, posture, and gestures. Avoiding eye contact or fidgeting excessively can indicate nervousness or discomfort.
6. Negative Attitude
Constantly speaking negatively about past employers or colleagues is a definite interview red flag. Always remember to be mindful of your tone and language. Negative or disrespectful tones, whether discussing past experiences or colleagues, can raise concerns for employers. This behavior demonstrates a lack of professionalism. Rather you make statements like ‘I’m looking for more room for advancement’ or ‘I’ve outgrown the organization and looking for a new challenge.’
It’s also essential to strike a balance between confidence and humility. While confidence is appreciated, arrogance can be off-putting. Showcase your skills and achievements with confidence, but remain humble and open to feedback.
7. Unwillingness to Learn
Candidates who resist the idea of learning new skills or adapting to new technologies is considered an interview red flag. Ensure the interviewer knows your eagerness to learn and to advance your skillset. Be sure to discuss seminars, certificates, memberships, or anything related to you growing your knowledge. This will demonstrate you will continue to bring something new to the organization.
8. Inconsistencies in Resume
Discrepancies between the resume and the candidate’s responses during the interview is an interview red flag. Know your resume inside and out. You will be asked questions on the content. You will not have it in front of you, so your answers need to align. Otherwise, this will lead the interviewer to believe they are not getting the full truth from you if they discover inconsistencies. This can push you to bottom of the candidate list.
9. Lack of Enthusiasm
A general lack of excitement or interest in the job or the company is always considered one of the many interview red flags. Interviewers want someone who is excited to join their company. If you do not present the demeanor of someone with enthusiasm and another candidate does, you have dropped in the rankings of potential candidates. Be mindful of your tone, your facial expressions, your body language and most importantly your responses. If you come across as you do not care, then they will not care.
10. Avoiding Accountability
Candidates who refuse to admit mistakes or take responsibility for their actions is another interview red flag for recruiters. Everyone makes mistakes. The interviewer knows this, but what they are trying to find out is if you own up to them and what your reaction was as a result. All employees make a mistake at one point or another, the interviewer included, but how did you handle it is a tell tale sign of future behaviors.
11. Overconfidence
An interview red flag that is overlooked sometimes is excessive confidence bordering on arrogance. This can demonstrate a lack of humility and teamwork. Of course the employer wants to hire someone who is confident in their skills, but what they don’t want is arrogance. Arrogance leads to lack of teamwork.
Arrogant employees typically struggle taking ownership for mistakes, take all the credit for wins, rarely recognize other team members, and are quick to finger point. Employers do not want to introduce that into their culture. So confidence over arrogance. Nobody likes a ‘know it all’!
12. Inability to Work in Teams
Difficulty in describing past experiences of successful collaboration or teamwork can be an interview red flag. Employers seek candidates who can work harmoniously with others and adapt to changing situations. During the interview, share examples of successful collaboration and your ability to adapt to diverse environments.
In the interview it is helpful to talk about the successes of your teammates as well and how you could not have done it without them. Sharing your successes are great, but also be realistic about the role you played in that success. Employers look fondly upon candidates who give credit where credit is due. Shows strong teamwork and collaboration.
13. Limited Problem-Solving Skills
Candidates who struggle with logical reasoning or problem-solving questions. Employers appreciate candidates who can think critically and solve problems. Be prepared to showcase your problem-solving skills with relevant examples from your past experiences.
The employer may present a scenario and ask you to walk them through your thought process of solving this situation. Share with them the reasons behind your decisions. This helps them better understand what you value, the type of person you are, and if it will align with the organization. This is critical point to ensure you are yourself and answer honestly.
14. High Turnover History
Multiple short-term employments in various companies or roles can be an interview red flag as well. This red flag will depend upon how often you are jumping from one job to the next. If you are switching every 2-3 years, that is acceptable, but every 4-6 months will not be.
A cardinal rule with work history is to stay at an employer at least one year before moving on. This will demonstrate you gave it a solid amount of time before your departure. Now granted there are exceptions, such as leaving a hostile work environment, but then that would only show once on your resume versus habitual behavior.
15. Inability to Accept Feedback
Reacting poorly to constructive criticism or feedback is again one of the interview red flags that will be noted. Employers may ask to provide an example in an interview of a time you received feedback and what was your response. This will demonstrate if you are able to accept feedback or not and how important that may be to the interviewer. Great employees and leaders seek feedback to better improve their skillsets and it is important to demonstrate this skill during your interview process.
16. Lack of Curiosity
Not asking insightful questions about the job, team, or company can be an interview red flag. This also connects with the first item of lack of preparation. Be sure to do your research and be prepared with knowledge of the company, but also be prepared with inquisitive questions that you did not read online. S
Such questions could be ‘What is your leadership style like?’ ‘How many people are on the team?’ ‘What is the culture like?’ ‘Why is the current person leaving this position?” This will demonstrate your interest in the company, the team, and the position itself.
17. Excessive Talking
Candidates who dominate the conversation without letting the interviewer speak is a definite interview red flag. If you tend to ramble when you are nervous, practice this before the interview. Practice your responses to common interview questions, such as ‘Tell Me About Yourself.’ So you have it ready to go!
The interviewer has other questions they would like to ask you to help determine if they want to move you forward in the interview process. If you talk for 20 minutes on one question, that demonstrates your lack of time management, lack of reading social cues and ‘reading a room’, and lack of being concise and efficient. Employers can tell the difference between being nervous and just talking too much.
18. Inability to Set Goals
Vague or unrealistic career goals without a clear plan for achieving them can come across as one of the interview red flags recruiters look for. If you cannot express future career goals for what you want to do in life, then why would the employer assume you could set goals to be successful at their organization. Also come prepared with where you see yourself in 5 years, with attainable and realistic goals.
They want to hear your ambition, your drive, and your plan on how to achieve these goals. Of course we all don’t know where we will be in 5 years, but where would you like to be and what are you doing now to achieve it. Also helps to include the company you are interviewing at into your plan as well.
19. Unrealistic Expectations
Candidates with unrealistic expectations about the job, advancement opportunities, or work-life balance can demonstrate an interview red flag. Ensure your expectations for the future are attainable. If you are new to a company and in two years you want to be CEO of the company, that comes across unrealistic. Its great to have lofty goals for the future, but for most people that takes many many years to achieve, so lets bring it down a notch. Maybe aim for a management position.
20. Failure to Follow Instructions
Not following specific instructions given during the application or interview process will definitely be an interview red flag. If a candidate cannot follow simple instructions carefully, both during the application process and the interview it leaves little to the imagination how their employment will be.
Attention to detail is a valuable trait, and employers often look for candidates who can adhere to guidelines and procedures. If you have questions please ask but skipping parts or not reading an email sent can come across as a lack of caring and/or just basic follow through skills.
Final Thoughts
Remember, each position may have unique requirements, so it’s crucial to tailor your evaluation to the specific job and company culture. Do your research, practice, and come prepared for any interview. Always dress for success and be the best version of yourself possible. So as you move through the interview process keep these red flags in the back of your mind for future interview success.
