Job interviews are a two-way conversation. They give you the opportunity to learn as much as possible about a role, the hiring manager, and the company. This helps ensure the position is a good match for you.
If you end up in a role that’s not the right fit, you likely will quit within 6 months. This means you have to start your job search over again.
Fortunately, you can avoid spending even more time finding a job by looking for red flags during an interview. Spotting signs of an issue can indicate the company isn’t right for you. This encourages you to continue with your search to find the right employer.
Look for these red flags when interviewing for your next job.
Conflict with Your Values
A mismatch between your personal values and the company’s values is a problem. You won’t be happy working for an organization that doesn’t support what you believe in.
You can avoid this issue by clarifying what your most important values are before your interview. Then, develop questions to assess what the company’s culture is like. This can help you find out how well the organization shares your deeply held values. It lets you determine how well you would be able to express yourself at work.
For instance, if inclusion is one of your top values, find out whether the company is committed to inclusion. Focus on the steps being taken to prioritize inclusion and how success is measured.
Lack of Clarity When Answering Your Questions
Pay attention to how clearly the interviewer responds to your questions. If their answers are vague and lack tangible examples, you may receive the same type of responses while on the job.
If you feel you aren’t being given specific and direct answers, ask follow-up questions to gather more information. You need clarity in order to make educated decisions about your job search.
Resistance to Change
Focus on the manager’s attitude toward innovation. If they don’t want things to change, you won’t be able to grow in the position.
New employees are expected to contribute ideas that benefit the organization. This may include building better products, increasing operational efficiencies, or improving departmental performance. All of these actions involve change.
If your potential manager feels threatened by change, they’ll hold you back from implementing your ideas. If you cannot increase your contributions and results while on the job, you won’t add more value to the company. This will impact your ability to advance in the organization.
During your interview, you may want to ask the hiring manager how they feel about individuals who have opinions different than theirs. Then, pay attention to the manager’s words and body language. If the manager appears to want things to stay as they are, you likely would benefit from finding a role with a different employer.
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