Candidates often worry about making a good impression during the hiring process, but they should be equally attuned to how the company presents itself.
Don’t ignore your intuition if something seems off during a job interview, says Amanda Augustine, a career coach and resident career expert at Resume.ai.
“The candidate experience is oftentimes a reflection of how they treat their employees and the respect they give,” Augustine says.
No matter how great a job looks on paper, “if it’s not a great experience interviewing with them and going through their vetting process, then chances are it’s probably not going to be a wonderful experience once you get in the door,” she says.
These are the top three red flags from hirers that job seekers should watch out for in interviews, according to Augustine.
The hiring team doesn’t have a clear idea of what the role entails
It’s a major red flag if each person you speak to during the interview process “seems to have a different idea in mind as to what they expect you to do” in the role, Augustine says.
From the company’s side, everyone involved in the hiring process should have similar responses to questions like “What does success look like in this role?” or “What are the top three qualifications someone needs to do this job?”
If the hiring team is unclear on what your exact job duties will be, which team members you’ll work with or what your role will be within the company, you’re likely to face unrealistic or unclear expectations as an employee, according to Augustine.
These inconsistencies can also point to larger issues in the company’s culture, she says.
It could indicate that there’s “conflict within the organization” as to what they’re looking for, Augustine says — and “if you take the job, you’re going to be stuck in the middle of that.”
They avoid answering hard questions
Job interviews are a two-way street, Augustine says: candidates are evaluating whether they want to work at a company just as much as employers are evaluating whether to hire them.
If there are any areas of concern, candidates can — and should — ask probing questions like “It seems like there was a large layoff in the past year. How has the team recovered from that, and how has that changed your goals?”
Pay attention to the way your interviewer responds, Augustine says.
“If they shy away from that, refuse to answer or they don’t want to get into it, it’s either because they don’t know the answer or they think the answer will scare you away,” she says. “I would be wary of that.”
It can also be a red flag if your interviewer is reluctant to let you speak with current team members, she says: they may be trying to hide a toxic work environment.
The work environment seems tense
If you’re visiting the company for an in-person interview, it’s crucial to “take stock of your surroundings,” Augustine says.
“Keep your eyes and ears peeled for what’s going on around you,” she says.
She recommends taking note of details like “Where are they having you wait? What’s the vibe around you? Do people seem stressed out? Is it silent? Is it happy?”
Even something as simple as what workers keep on their desks could give you valuable insights into the company culture, she says: “Do they have plants and pictures of their families and that sort of thing, or is it very sterile?”
Another clue to look out for is whether other employees seem to collaborate or keep to themselves.
These factors don’t necessarily indicate that a workplace is toxic, Augustine says, but they can help candidates determine whether the company culture is a good fit. If not, “you’ll want to run for the door,” she says.
How candidates can respond
If you’ve decided that you’re no longer interested in pursuing the role, it’s best to let the company know promptly.
It can feel awkward to tell a company you’re withdrawing your candidacy, but Augustine recommends sending a follow-up email with a simple script:
“Thank you so much for your time today. I enjoyed learning more about your organization. Upon further consideration, I do not believe that this role would be a good fit for me. I wish you the best of luck in your candidate search.”
Regardless of how the interview went, “you’re always going to maintain your dignity, your honor, your professionalism,” Augustine says.
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