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“What’s The Biggest Red Flag You’ve Ever Seen In A Job Interview?” (36 Examples)
Interview With Expert
Job interviews are often tricky because they’re the first time the candidate and the company learn about each other and size one another up. However, they are also helpful because they reveal the true nature of the organization and its intentions regarding potential recruits.
That’s why folks who’ve gone in for interviews share the warning signs they observed in order to protect other candidates. These kinds of red flags shouldn’t be ignored because they can signal a lot of problems that run deep within the organization.
More info: Reddit
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#1
The person doing the interview asked me what position I applied for. He was shocked to find out it was his position. The interview didn't go well.
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#2
I once had an interview in a restaurant. It was outside of their opening hours and when I arrived the lights were off, the doors were closed (not doors with a doorknob but those automatic sliding ones), no doorbell existing, and there was seemingly nobody inside.
I called them a few times, got only voicemail, and sent them an email. After waiting for an hour without any response I left.
A few hours later I got a rather annoyed sounding email back. They said that it should have been absolutely obvious that the door was not locked. That I should have pried the sliding doors open to enter and walked to the back to find someone and that it was very unprofessional of me to just leave.
I never would have thought that breaking and entering was the obvious way to go.
#3
They stopped the online interview recording to tell me that what they were trying to say in a roundabout way, is that they do not hire fat or lazy people.
I was completely shell shocked. I was incredibly surprised when they offered me the job, but also with a salary less than they were advertising for.
I declined.
Luke Branwen 3 weeks ago
And yet people have the nerve to say stuff like "fat people don't face any discrimination" or "obesity is glorified nowadays".
Nobody knows exactly what a recruiter might be hiding from them or what things about the company they might be covering up. It’s difficult to understand that in the first meeting itself, but certain words or phrases might give an indication as to the true nature of the organization.
It’s just important to know what to look out for, for example, when companies call their employees a ‘family.’ To understand why this phrase has such a negative connotation, Bored Panda reached out to Peter Duris, who’s the CEO and Co-founder of Kickresume.
He said that “when companies say ‘we are a family,’ even if the person saying it really does have good intentions and has close relationships with their colleagues, it can be a sign that this might be an unhealthy working environment.”
“Saying that your employees are your family puts too much pressure on them. It can sound as if companies are saying they should prioritize their job over other things that are important to them, like their real family at home."
"It also blurs the line between professional and personal relationships and can even come across as emotionally manipulative. If your manager asks you to go above and beyond all the time and says things like ‘we need to support each other because we’re a family here,’ you might feel guilt-tripped into overworking to the point of burnout."
"Lastly, even if your employer says you’re family to them, unfortunately, you could still end up losing your job in a restructuring somewhere down the line,” he explained.
#4
Interviewer asked me why I am the way that I am after one of my responses, lol. I answered. They ask “But why?” and it was clear this person was not interested in my skills but examining me like a specimen. Was desperate and ended up taking the job offer I really didn’t think I’d get. Turned out to be a horrifically manipulative, invasive, toxic office. Go figure.
#5
Made me wait in the lobby for 45 minutes.
After I was hired, I was on the team that interviewed prospects. It was our VPs policy to make candidates wait to see how much they really wanted the job.
It was a toxic place to work. I actually saw coworkers crying at their desk.
I was pretty jaded by that point in my career, so I was able to put up with their shenanigans until a plum offer came along.
They had no clue why turnover was so high.
#6
I was in a first interview that had to ask if I would be okay working in a environment that would involve some woman employees. Would I have a problem working with or even being instructed by them.
The fact that they would even have to ask tells me there's a harsh restructuring of the good Ole boy office underway. Dodged that dumpster fire.
Going in for an interview can be a nerve-wracking thing, and there’s a reason for that. People often feel intensely scrutinized or sometimes like they are being continuously tested. That’s why surveys have found that around 51% of professionals have had a bad experience during a job interview process.
This can either be due to interviewers who are demanding, aggressive, or not prepared enough. Around 33% of folks have even found the process to be too long and tiresome. This means that recruiters do not fully understand the needs of the candidate and push on ahead despite peoples’ discomfort or lack of interest.
This list itself shows that companies need to be honest with people about their requirements and not demand or expect too much extra from them. They also need to revamp their interview process to make it easier for the folks who come for it.
#7
A guy excused himself during the interview to get himself a cup of coffee. Didn't offer me one. I surreptitiously followed him out of the room, he turned left, I turned right and walked out the door and into the parking lot.
#8
Being told the company is like a 'family' is always a red flag 🚩—usually code for unpaid overtime and blurred boundaries. Another one is when they dodge questions about career growth or salary. If they can't respect your time during an interview, imagine how it’ll be on the job!
Lee Gilliland 4 weeks ago
Yea, you treat the servants better than your family because family can't quit.
#9
I interviewed with the two doctors whose office I was potentially being hired to run. They were nice, we hit it off, the interview went well. They called the next day to have me come in for a follow-up interview. It was with their wives. (Who had nothing at all to do with the business.) I did NOT get that job. Thankfully.
R.A. Haley 4 weeks ago
No pretty girls to tempt their husbands. Not the first time that's happened.
This list of interview red flags might seem pretty obvious, but there are also other subtle signs that you must look out for. That’s why we asked Peter Duris what warning signs candidates should be aware of and how they can set boundaries.
He said, “if the company or the recruiter won’t tell you the salary range you can expect, especially after you have been interviewed, it’s fine to push back and tell them you need to know or to share the salary range you’d be looking for. If you are looking for a hybrid or remote job opportunity, watch out for adverts that list the job as hybrid but require 4 or even 4.5 days a week on-site.”
“You can also tell a lot about a company based on how they come across in the interview. If the hiring manager and other interviewers seem stressed and unhappy themselves, this might be a sign that the working environment at this company isn’t great.”
“Similarly, if the company seems to have a rapid turnover and has new job adverts up all the time, this might be a sign that employees are joining the company, getting stressed and burned out, and leaving rapidly. This is why it’s always good to ask questions like ‘What do you like about your job?’ and ‘Can you tell me about the culture here?’ when you have an interview,” he added.
#10
Had to go in after 6 o clock to interview and most employees were still there. Start time was 8AM. Ended up taking job and worked 70+ hour weeks until I left.
Asked me to go in for interview on a Saturday.
Another place had a piece of trash in the lobby on the floor that only if a candidate picked it up they “acted as an owner” and would move on to next round.
#11
Manager said the best part of my interview was my skin color.
#12
Interviewing for SpaceX. The phrases "work-life balance" and "i love nature" were both extreme trigger words for them. I was told 15 hrs days were to be expected. I got a call 2 days later saying I wasn't being considered, shocker.
If you’ve gone in for an interview and not come across any of these red flags, it means that the organization may probably be a good one. Everyone wants to land a great role, but it isn’t necessary that they get the same job they try out for.
If you ever feel that you’ve botched an interview it’s important not to be too hard on yourself. Rather than going into a negative spiral, it’s better to reflect on everything you did during the process and figure out what you can do better next time.
Incase you haven’t heard from the recruiter for a long time, you can also send them an email asking them for feedback on the process or thanking them for taking the time to interview you. It’s best not to get too hung up on missing out on a particular job, because your next best role might be just around the corner.
#13
I had an interview for a program that had rotating schedules every 3 months that included day shifts(7-4, 9-6), as well as late shifts (12-9, 1-10). When I asked the manager for the role if those late shifts were sporadic or typically allowed for days off, he snarkily replied, “well, like you were explained, the shifts rotate every 3 months. That means you get a day shift, then 3 months later a late shift, then a day shift again, etc. I would hope that’s something you can understand.”
Manager already classifying basic questions as “not understanding”? Thanks but no thanks dude. I left the interview then and there lol.
Sven Horlemann 3 weeks ago
Get up and say "Thx for your time. BTW. If it smells funny to you, this is because your head is up your a$$. Good day."
#14
Interviewer: "What brings you in today?"
Me: "The interview we scheduled..".
#15
When i asked the director if she has a work life balance and she said “i do now since i had a baby”.
that basically told me that she didn’t before.
i turned the offer down bc i value my work life balance.
Bryn 3 weeks ago
that's weird. "you learned about work life balance, so that's bad because i value my own work life balance" the director having a different work life balance doesn't mean you'll be expected to have the same. i dont' have the same as my principal, that doesn't mean i don't do my job, wtf
The next time you go in for an interview, all of these red flags will probably be on your mind. Although it might be a helpful guide to keep you out of toxic workplaces, it’s also important to listen to your gut and go with what feels right. No company may be a 100% right fit for you, but if you like most of what they do, you may end up loving the rest in the end.
What are some of the interview warning signs that you’ve come across? Do share your experience in the comments.
#16
Showed up on-site for an interview. There was a recruiter there that gave me a friendly greeting, then the guy that was supposed to be interviewing me walked right up to the recruiter (not acknowledging my presence AT ALL) and told her "this isn't going to work, we need to reschedule," then turned around and left, leaving the recruiter to apologize to me and do damage control.
#17
The boss/interviewer kept calling me the wrong name…the third time I just didn’t correct him. No one’s ever been thrown off my name either, pretty common name.
#18
For anyone reading this, if any of interviewers make you feel uncomfortable don't come back.
Had the interviewer keep repeating the same question after I answered it, he kept asking it again as if he's not convinced by the answer I provided.
I should have known he's crazy.
#19
Personal questions that have nothing to do with the role, ie if my kids are old enough to care for themselves if I was asked to travel/work ot, etc. They don't need to know how many times I've been married or what my weekend hobbies are...anything that could cause even a hint of discrimination. Work is not your family, but some orgs still try to pitch it that way in an attempt to create one-sided loyalty.
Anthony Elmore 4 weeks ago
When they ask you what your hobbies are, the relative part isn't what your hobby is. How you answer the question is what's relevant. A good portion of interview questions SHOULD NOT be taken at face value.
#20
I was told i had a job, phone interviews etc. i relocated 1000 miles, scheduled the official interview. Person interviewing me was off-putting, and eventually asked me why I wanted to work there. It was then that I told them that I just moved 1000 miles because I was told I had the job. Immediately I could see a realization come over their face, and the tone quickly changed. It also defined the next three years of my life while working there.
SweetCheesySpaghetti 3 weeks ago
That happened to me, as well. Sort of. Because when I showed up for my first meeting with the new manager, I found out it was an interview, and when I told them I was already offered the position they said, "you should have known that we don't just hire people with an offer." They then proceeded to not give me the job that I was already hired for. They offered me a much lesser paying position, and I gave them the good ol' "no thanks." Eventually I found a much better job in my new city, and decided the move was totally worth the trouble.
#21
I did an interview few years ago. It went really well on my end. At the end, I got the opportunity to ask 3 questions. I asked 3 very simple questions about work and team. But the manager for the team I was interviewing for refused outright to answer my questions which was unbelievable. Another manager (higher) stepped and answered my 3 questions very easily. That was a major red flag. I took the job and it turned out the team manager that didn't answer questions proved difficult to work with and a complete control freak.
#22
They called me at 20:00. I missed the call because I had no reception in that parking lot. They left a voicemail saying „Call us back.“
I called them back and they said, „Because you didn’t immediately answer your phone, we’ve decided not to continue with your application. We need people we can rely on.“ lol.
#23
I asked if there would be formal training on their computer system, and the interviewer looked at me like I was an idiot. “Of course there will be training. There’s always training at a new job.” She said it so condescendingly.
The last two jobs I was at had no training. They just sat you next to someone to watch them work. I wanted to correct her assumption but didn’t waste my breath. This was obviously a place I would not want to work.
#24
Went for a lead role and the manager wanted to pay me as a lead but not make official, I was to follow the current lead for a while to pick up all I could then they would fire her and then make me lead.
POS manager, POS company.
#25
Got invited to an interview at a local branch location by the central corporate office. When I showed up there, noone at the branch knew anything about an interview and the manager wasn't even in that day. They told me to come back the next day when the manager would be in. When I arrived at the same time the next day, the manager told me she had just hired someone else for the position.
#26
The whole team was so excited about bringing me on board! I thought that was a good thing until I saw the actual situation. Everyone was extremely overextended. The company has finally agreed to one new low level team member. However, what they needed were five more people, not one. They expected hiring one person would solve all the team's problems, and when I didn't I got s**t for it.
#27
The lady told me about how employees can and should make comment cards about other employees when they do things we don’t like so they can have meetings to solve the issues. She said “it sounds like tattling but it’s not lol. Well a little lol but don’t look at it like that. Do you have any questions” “yeah, can you tell me what my job would entail?” Like I was f*****g shocked and grateful she dropped that comment card card thing on my right away. Literally before anything even about the job I was applying for lol.
#28
There are just so many red flags in the recruitment process, but one thing I've been noticing lately is particularly concerning for remote positions: when they ask you to complete a test that requires creating a long piece of content. I've experienced this twice, and afterward, the recruiter simply disappeared. I feel that some recruiters may be using this tactic to collect free ideas, so I've decided not to participate in these types of assessments anymore.
Apart from this, other red flags include:
* They make you wait for a long time
* The office doesn't look good and the people don't look happy
* They are unfriendly in the interview
* They ask you stupid questions like "How do you see yourself 5 years from now?".
Fabulous chocolate cookie 4 weeks ago (edited)
Yep. Its very common practice in the creative industry to "collect" ideas + projects that way. By having people who apply fill out a test, with in small letters included stating that you surrender all copyrights to them when submitting your test. Its a very shady but common practice which for some reason is still legal to do.
#29
I had an interview at a coffee shop instead of the office. And they didn’t want to call it an “interview” but just getting to know each other (should’ve been my first clue).
Anyway the first day I saw the office was on my first day, it was over a cigar shop and my office smelt like cigars all day long that it started giving me regular headaches. It looked like they had just moved in with lights not working/nothing hung on the walls.
When I asked if they just moved in, they said no they’ve been there for years. Ended up being one of the most toxic environments I ever worked.
Lee Gilliland 4 weeks ago (edited)
Any time you aren't where something will be happening is a red flag. Works for apartments, venues, and buinesses.
#30
They were bothered I didn't have immediate access to high school transcripts while I pointed out I have a Masters degree.
Lady Eowyn 3 weeks ago
The high school I went to, in the early 70s, doesn't even exist any more! And I do have a Masters.
#31
He kept asking me when did I really f**k something up, what makes me explode at work, why me being organised would lead to issues (because of course it has to have something f****d up) basically was a whole hour of what's wrong with you. Felt like a very weird psychological evaluation. In the middle the scientific interviewer kept asking why I was in 2 programs that have woman in the title (digitalisation and mentoring programs) and why that must mean that I am a radical feminist and so on ...
#32
I had an interview in another time zone so got up early to prepare, have coffee, have breakfast, go for a walk, review my notes, etc.
Show up on the zoom call early, nobody joins. Stay on for maybe 20-30 more minutes hoping that they were just running late. Still nothing. I had to find their HQ number and call in to request to talk to the HR person and they just forgot and had to reschedule.
I got the job and it ended up being disorganized (shocker), but one of the coolest jobs I've ever had, so no regrets.
#33
I was told midway through an on-site (by someone in leadership) that I probably wasn’t getting the job. It seemed rude to just walk out so I figured I’d get some practice and finish out the day. Afterwards they sent me an offer. I think either one guy didn’t want to hire me and was trying to throw me off, or they say this to everyone to gauge their response.
#34
Changing the role I was interviewing for half way through the interview should have been that red flag unfortunately It was right at the start of my career. The job changed every week I was there and they never followed through with any of their contractually agreed requirements including pay (they had a collective agreement that outlined pay scale quite clearly that was changed through union negotiations half way through my employment, they decided not to honour it. I decided to tell them to shove it)
I now work externally as a stakeholder in their business and see them regularly.
#35
I had a supervisor tell people she "rubbed people the wrong way" in an interview. I left shortly after that. We were re-organized and put in her group and I couldn't even stand her for 2 months after being at the company 10 years.
#36
I was doing a mock QBR, and one of the interviewers, who would have been my boss, started yelling objections, literally yelling, and abruptly left the Zoom in the middle of me talking. I was told it was a test because "that's how QBR's go.".
Serena Myers 4 weeks ago
QBR. (Total) Quarterback Rating, or Quarterly Business Review. I'm guessing the latter in this case. ;)
What do you think ?
Forrest Grump 3 weeks ago
I was in an interview where the person asked me "If you could be any kind of cow, would you be a chocolate cow, a vanilla cow, or a strawberry cow." I responded "I'm not playing this." And then I left.
Amelia Jade 3 weeks ago
My son had an interview--he'd already filled out an online application. He arrives and they want him to fill out another one--it's a bit different.. They leave him at a table. One of the questions was "If you could be any animal, which one would you be and why." He wrote, "I don't see what this has to do with flipping burgers for a few bucks over minimum wage." He left it there and walked out. My other son is currently job shopping and the stories he tells me about the application process are just nuts. Minimum wage jobs asking for essays, requiring personality tests, wanting people to do "training" materials before even being interviewed, or asking for all identifiable information--like SSN--before even hiring.
Load More Replies... V 4 weeks ago
I several red flags for a.job I applied for recently. First the phone interview was great, the position was exactly what I was looking for, the manager was nice, etc... then the in person interview the conditions of the position changed. Then they said they were like a family. Then they straight up asked about my marital and family status, which is illegal here. Then I made the mistake of actually going in for a trial shift where I got non of my legally mandated breaks. So it was very much a red flag parade.
Fabulous chocolate cookie 4 weeks ago (edited)
I had two moments which were a big red flag. A photostudio where it was well known that the turnover was enormous because emloyees quit within 6 months-1year to get another job somewhere else and only used the photostudio as a layover moment between searching for jobs. I left within 2 months because of how bad everything was organised. when your coworker quit, you had to take on the added workload while the schedule was already very tight. The manager didn't cared at all. Other red flag was at a job application where I (26 at the time) got interviewed by a 17 year old kid who acted like he was the owner of the store and had a inflated ego. Throughout the interview I felt like he was being very condescending and also making strange/sexist comments. Surprisingly I declined the offer.
Forrest Grump 3 weeks ago
I was in an interview where the person asked me "If you could be any kind of cow, would you be a chocolate cow, a vanilla cow, or a strawberry cow." I responded "I'm not playing this." And then I left.
Amelia Jade 3 weeks ago
My son had an interview--he'd already filled out an online application. He arrives and they want him to fill out another one--it's a bit different.. They leave him at a table. One of the questions was "If you could be any animal, which one would you be and why." He wrote, "I don't see what this has to do with flipping burgers for a few bucks over minimum wage." He left it there and walked out. My other son is currently job shopping and the stories he tells me about the application process are just nuts. Minimum wage jobs asking for essays, requiring personality tests, wanting people to do "training" materials before even being interviewed, or asking for all identifiable information--like SSN--before even hiring.
Load More Replies... V 4 weeks ago
I several red flags for a.job I applied for recently. First the phone interview was great, the position was exactly what I was looking for, the manager was nice, etc... then the in person interview the conditions of the position changed. Then they said they were like a family. Then they straight up asked about my marital and family status, which is illegal here. Then I made the mistake of actually going in for a trial shift where I got non of my legally mandated breaks. So it was very much a red flag parade.
Fabulous chocolate cookie 4 weeks ago (edited)
I had two moments which were a big red flag. A photostudio where it was well known that the turnover was enormous because emloyees quit within 6 months-1year to get another job somewhere else and only used the photostudio as a layover moment between searching for jobs. I left within 2 months because of how bad everything was organised. when your coworker quit, you had to take on the added workload while the schedule was already very tight. The manager didn't cared at all. Other red flag was at a job application where I (26 at the time) got interviewed by a 17 year old kid who acted like he was the owner of the store and had a inflated ego. Throughout the interview I felt like he was being very condescending and also making strange/sexist comments. Surprisingly I declined the offer.
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