Article created by: Indrė Lukošiūtė

You don’t mind working overtime if need be now, do you?

The sick days are limited but the pizza during office parties is not!

We’re like a family here, so employees don’t really mind answering a phone call or receiving an email after work.

If you think that these phrases sound like warning signs when said in a job interview, that’s because they most likely are; asking about overtime is arguably the company checking to see how willing you are to go the extra mile, the pizza comment means that you might have to put your work above your health in times when you should be resting, and comparing themselves to a family is only accurate if the family the interviewer is referring to is somewhat dysfunctional.

But these three instances are far from the only signs indicating that a certain workplace might not be the best choice. Members of the ‘Ask Reddit’ community recently discussed more of such indicators, after the user ‘photo_inbloom’ asked them about red flags that everyone should be aware of when attending a job interview.

If you’re curious to learn what red flags netizens described, scroll down to find them on the list below, where you will also find Bored Panda’s interviews with the OP themselves and with the director of Lerner College Career Services Center at the University of Delaware, Jill Panté, who was kind enough to answer a few of our questions on job interviews.

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#1

Two men in suits reviewing documents and laptop during a job interview discussing red flags to be aware of. If they tell you on arrival that the job you applied for is no longer available, but they have a VERY SIMILAR position that JUST OPENED UP - leave immediately.

It's a bait and switch tactic coupled with the sunk cost fallacy. The "new" position will be identical to the original one you applied for - except the salary is significantly lower. They're hoping that you'll play along because you showed up to be interviewed, probably desperate for work and will accept any job - no matter the wage.

Furthermore, the position you applied for doesn't really exist - or at least not at the advertised wage.

sheikhyerbouti , Pavel Danilyuk Report

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    #2

    Group of diverse young professionals in a modern office during a job interview discussing potential red flags. My (female) ex was applying for a manager role. Interview panel included a male ceo, a female leader and don't remember who else.

    At the end, my ex directed a question at the female leader about her experiences there as a female leader.

    The ceo jumped in before she could answer and answered for her.

    That said a lot.

    CapnBloodbeard , The Jopwell Collection Report

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    #3

    Man in a brown coat checking watch outdoors, representing red flags to be aware of during a job interview. "We don't like 'clockwatchers' here. We expect everyone to be committed." Expecting more work for no extra pay. Getting mad at you when you leave at 5 even though your stated work hours end at 5.

    Leather-Interview-28 , Ono Kosuki Report

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    #4

    Two women in a job interview setting reviewing documents and notes while discussing red flags to be aware of. Not telling you the salary.

    EffinAyyItsMe , Gabrielle Henderson Report

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    #5

    Two people in a job interview discussing red flags to be aware of during the hiring process in an office setting "We only want the best of the best"
    Me: "how much are you paying?"
    "Minimum wage".

    Perfect01Muse , Mina Rad Report

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    #6

    Woman in casual business attire sitting on a sofa, gesturing while discussing red flags during a job interview. One red flag for sure is when they talk about how the company is "like a family." 🥴 Like, that usually means they expect you to be super available all the time and put the job above everything else, even your actual life.

    xpetiteemilyx , LinkedIn Sales Navigator Report

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    #7

    Young woman standing indoors looking at her watch, illustrating red flags to be aware of during a job interview. If the interviewer is late for your interview. If you were late, they wouldn’t even consider hiring you. It works both ways.

    VoraciousReader59 , David Gallie Report

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    #8

    Young professional in a suit with arms crossed, representing red flags to be aware of in a job interview setting I brought up a company’s awful Glassdoor reviews and they got so mad they ended the interview. Well. Guess I dodged that bullet.

    Adorable_xPrincess , Aslan Kumarov Report

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    #9

    Man in a suit gesturing during a job interview, discussing red flags to be aware of when attending interviews. "Nobody wants to work anymore" - You're about to find out exactly why nobody wants to work for them.

    Seriously, *every single* job I've worked that said that during an interview was toxic and grossly underpaid.

    No_Recognition_1426 , energepic.com Report

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    #10

    Parking lot outside a commercial area on a cloudy day, representing job interview red flags to be aware of. Pre-internet red flags that still apply.
    1. Check the condition of employees' cars.
    2. Check building condition.

    dfgyrdfhhrdhfr , Nick Nice Report

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    sarahmknitnole avatar
    Sarah M (KnitNole)
    Sarah M (KnitNole)
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Never heard that one before, but it makes so much sense.

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    #11

    Man exhausted at desk with laptop and charts, illustrating red flags to be aware of during a job interview. "Well, the overtime isn't *mandatory*, but most folks stick around after hours most days."

    Spoilers: The overtime is mandatory.

    babyjaybae , Karolina Kaboompics Report

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    #12

    Person in a blue suit filling out paperwork on a desk, highlighting red flags to watch out for in a job interview. When you are signing all the forms they give you and you are taking your time to read over every document so that you can fully understand what you are getting into and people come in and start telling you that you don't need to read this and that just sign here and so on.

    Elegant-1Queen , Leon Seibert Report

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    #13

    Man in suit holding pen and clipboard in a job interview setting, highlighting red flags to be aware of immediately. They asked me my political opinion which I didn't think was right.

    cleverwall , Tima Miroshnichenko Report

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    See Also on Bored Panda
    #14

    Two people sitting on a couch with laptops, discussing red flags to be aware of when attending a job interview. When you ask, "Tell me about a time when one of your employees really impressed you." and they cannot give you a SINGLE example.

    My current job gave me MULTIPLE examples of how their team members impressed them. That's how I knew I wanted to work there.

    In comparison, when I asked this in another interview, the answer was, "There's so many instances and I can't focus on only one." which I interpreted as, "I don't value my staff in the least." I was glad not to get that offer.

    Ethel_Marie , The Jopwell Collection Report

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    #15

    Hands exchanging cash money, illustrating red flags to be aware of when attending a job interview. If you have to make any financial investment into the company in order to work there.

    I interviewed for a window installation company and did well on the test. They wanted me in sales and said I needed to pay for a laptop. They would cover it and take it out of my checks if I didn't have the cash to pay upfront.

    random5654 , Karolina Kaboompics Report

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    #16

    Two men in a job interview discussing red flags to be aware of when attending a job interview, professional setting. A red flag is when the interviewer doesn’t ask about your experience or skills in detail but focuses on your willingness to work long hours or handle excessive workloads. It could mean they expect you to overwork.

    itsjordanxx , Tima Miroshnichenko Report

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    #17

    Man in glasses and suit smiling and holding pen during a job interview discussing red flags to be aware of. One time they said "We expect people to work here for the fun of it, not the money". Inspired by a Dilbert comic, my response was "If you really mean that, then how about you give me your money and I'll give you the fun part?"

    copper-feather , pressfoto Report

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    #18

    Person in a blue blazer walking away holding a brown leather briefcase, symbolizing red flags in job interviews to leave immediately. If they say things like "we've had trouble filling this position" or give hints about having a high turnover rate. There's a reason everyone's leaving.

    Learned this the hard way.

    undercover_ravioli , Marten Bjork Report

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    #19

    Man in a brown jacket analyzing red flags on a laptop while preparing for a job interview tips discussion. If they lied about the salary on the posting.

    Accurate_Screen_6012 , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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    #20

    Two men in a job interview discussing potential red flags to be aware of before deciding to leave immediately. A major red flag to watch for during a job interview is if the interviewer or company representative speaks negatively about current or former employees. This behavior can indicate a toxic work environment where blame and negativity are commonplace.

    Organic-Republic-990 , UK Black Tech Report

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    #21

    Person handing over a resume during a job interview, highlighting red flags to be aware of in the hiring process. When they can’t even bother to look at your resume like bro if you want me to work for you at least fake it.

    gracezeox , Drazen Zigic Report

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    #22

    Man in a blue shirt sitting on a couch with a laptop, discussing red flags to be aware of during job interviews "These will be your responsibilities, but you might be asked to do take on this and that role." Prepare to take 3 jobs for the salary of 1.

    island-breeze , The Jopwell Collection Report

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    #23

    Black iPhone placed on a white table with wooden flooring in the background, symbolizing job interview red flags awareness. I went into an interview for a low-level admin position, and they made my put my cell phone in a bucket up front, stating "no phones are allowed in the back. it reduces productivity." Big NOPE for me.

    GracefulGlowa , Goran Ivos Report

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    See Also on Bored Panda
    #24

    Person in glasses eating snack while looking at tablet, illustrating red flags to be aware of during a job interview. If your interview is between 12 to 2, look around. If everyone is at their cubicle eating their lunch. Red flag.

    shaka_sulu , Steve Ding Report

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