Job Interview Red Flags: 4 Signs to Look Out For

What Are Job Interview Red Flags?

This is becoming such a hot topic as of late, but why? With The Great Resignation more interviews are being held, and with these interviews, job seekers do not want to be entering a work place/role which resembles the reason they resigned in the first place. So before we go down the red flag rabbit hole, let us first discuss The Great Resignation.

The Great Resignation:

In short, The Great Resignation is where employees have voluntarily resigned from their jobs due to not being satisfied with the working conditions; salary; company culture; industry; duties; management style and so on.

This ‘trend’ has blown a wave across the employment market causing significant economical impact, skill shortages and has even led to some employees feeling a sense of The Great Regret. However, regret aside, it is still necessary for individuals to find a new role, and to find one that does not mirror the reason why they left their old job in the first place. So let’s go….red flag time.

4 Job Interview Red Flags to Watch For

Job Interview Red Flag #1: The Hiring Manager Keeps You Waiting

I cannot tell you how disrespectful this is and a sign of a narcissistic manager. This is a window to the future working with such a manager- under paid, over worked, no gratification, high expectations from you, expecting you to be a yes person, etc. This is especially so if no one comes out to you to apologise or explain why there is a delay. This shows you further that this is the cultural norm of the organisation.

On the same token, make sure you yourself are on time for the job interview, respect for time should go both ways. Coming 10 – 15 minutes before the interview start time is ideal.

Job Interview Red Flag #2: The Role Details Have Changed

So you see a great role online, duties seem reasonable, hours seem ok, location as well (perhaps it is a hybrid work from home/office position), then suddenly at the interview the hiring manager is describing a totally different role to you. You may even confirm if you are in the right interview room…’yes yes’ says the hiring manager and then continues to explain that the role also includes XYZ and suddenly the hours are different, it is no longer a hybrid role, the job title may have even changed. Our advice; do not accept the job. Unless the position sounds even better than you were hoping for (which let us face it, that would rarely be the case), you are walking into a trap.

Expect a poor culture, poor management, extra work beyond your scope of abilities, additional working hours and so on. You may think this is not possible or likely to happen, but we assure you, this happens more often than you would imagine. Your potential future employer has started off on a lie and if you value your time, yourself and your career; this is not the company you want to work for.

Job Interview Red Flag #3: There Is Little Clarity About the Role or Culture

If the hiring manager is avoiding the question about company culture, why the role is open, what the turnover is like, detailed information about the position and they cannot look you in the eye when they discuss what is it like working for the company, then chances are it is negative and/or toxic workplace with no real direction or structure.

If the culture was good, supportive, happy and it was an enjoyable workplace with clear direction, then the hiring manager would be excited to share that with you. Their face would glow and they would seem genuine.

Job Interview Red Flag #4: Inappropriate Interview Questions

Rule of thumb – if the question has nothing to do with the role, then it should not be asked.

So questions such as “what is your religion?”, “Are you married?”, “Are you expecting children?”, “What is your sexuality preferences?”, and even smilingly innocent questions such as “What is your favourite football team?”, and “What do you enjoy doing on the weekends?”, can be very discriminatory questions and can show you the type of lines the company is willing to cross when it comes to professionalism, discrimination and even culture.

There are many different red flags to look out for and if we listed them all, it would be a book rather than a career based article. However, these four are the most common and ones which you can easily identify. However, do look out for other signs such as – the hiring manager is unable to provide clear or detailed answers about the role and its future direction; unable to tell you about your career path in the company; the hiring manager uses lots of buzz words but no real substance to describe the role; there are too many interviews and the whole process is drawn out; you do not find a connection with the hiring manager (that is important) and the company is seriously underpaying the position.

If you need help with your job interviews, we do have a great job interview coaching package, check it out and see how we can help.

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What are job interview red flags?

Job interview red flags are things that make you stop and question whether the role or workplace is right for you. This could be unclear expectations, changes to the job that were not mentioned earlier, poor communication, or questions that do not seem relevant to the role.

Is it a red flag if the job description changes during the interview?

It can be worth asking about, especially if the duties, hours, location or working arrangements are different from what was advertised. Ask what has changed and what the role will actually look like day to day before you make any decisions.

What questions should I ask about company culture in an interview?

You could ask how the team works together, what the management style is like, why the role is available and what success looks like in the position. The answers can give you a better feel for the workplace and whether it suits what you are looking for.

What interview questions could be discriminatory?

Questions about things such as religion, pregnancy, marital status or family responsibilities may be a concern if they have nothing to do with the actual requirements of the job. Australian workplace laws also provide protections against discrimination during the hiring process.

Is it a red flag if an interviewer cannot clearly explain the role?

It is worth asking a few more questions. Find out what the main responsibilities are, who you would report to, what is expected of you and why the role is available. If you still cannot get a clear picture of what the job involves, keep that in mind before accepting an offer.

Should I ignore a job interview red flag if I really want the job?

Not necessarily. One awkward moment does not always mean there is a bigger issue, but it is still worth paying attention to. Ask questions, get more information and think about whether it was a one off situation or something that could affect your experience in the role.

Job hunting in 2026?

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