9 Interview Red Flags to Watch out for & Avoid Asking

1. "We're like a family."
   This is a serious red flag. It often means they will overstep boundaries and take advantage of you.

2. 5 rounds of multi-hour interviews & assessments
   Unless you're vying for a top position, there's no justification for such an exhaustive process. It typically indicates they are unprepared or struggle to make decisions.

3. Bait & switch
   If the job you’re interviewing for differs from what you applied for, be cautious. This might indicate an attempt to trick you into accepting a lower salary than advertised.

4. Lack of clarity about expectations
   If they can't clearly explain the job’s responsibilities, reporting structure, or goals, it might suggest organizational chaos or that they’re using the interview (and YOU) to figure it out.

5. Future promises
   Promises about promotions or pay raises are meaningless unless they’re specific, measurable, and written into your job offer.

6. Wide salary range (e.g., $50k - $100k) or 'Competitive'
   A broad range or the term 'competitive' indicates a lack of seriousness about fair compensation or a poorly defined role, which can lead to future conflicts.

7. "We're looking for someone to hit the ground running."
   This might sound reasonable, but often means the team is understaffed or under pressure. Expect minimal onboarding and support, making the start tough.

8. Benefits that aren't really benefits
   If they highlight benefits like training, overtime, free parking, team socials, free uniform, casual Fridays, flexible working, tea and coffee, pension contributions, or standard annual leave, beware. These are just basic practices today.

9. Interview is very short
   A 20-minute interview might seem like a relief, but it could mean they're desperate to fill the position, have a weak process, or undervalue the importance of ensuring a good fit for both you and the team.

💼 Have you encountered any of these red flags before?

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