Certainly, a senior management position or other high-level executive position will likely require more interviews than for those at a lower professional level. But even for top management, more than 10 to 12 interviews is excessive. We spoke to the experienced recruiters at Insperity and rounded up 26 telltale signs to look out for the next time they meet potential candidates. And by considering these 26 red flags in interviews, you're better prepared to make the right decision.
Read our most recent guide, Ten Interview Questions to Find the Right Person in the Right Position, to discover helpful tips for attracting the right candidates and effective strategies for organizing your workforce. The average hiring process takes 23.8 days, so if you wait weeks or months between Zoom interviews, you're probably faced with an inefficient or overwhelmed organization. If you're not satisfied with the job, you'll probably want to leave the ship quickly and then go back to looking for work. If you're otherwise attracted to work, you might be willing to overlook these slights, but keep in mind that microaggressive behavior is often systemic.
Let's say you were excited about your new job opportunity when you arrived at company headquarters for an interview. If you keep seeing the same job offer for the company, it could mean that they're struggling to keep someone in that position or that it's a difficult position to fill. However, if they continue to demonstrate a real lack of responsibility for past mistakes, their role in the team's failures, or an absolute inability to answer these questions, it's a red flag. The first, from the perspective of a telephone interview, and then, the second, a face-to-face interview (this could also include video job interviews).
It doesn't matter if you're applying to be an entry-level staff accountant or chief financial officer, your interviewer should be able to explain the responsibilities of the position and how success will be measured. If they are hired, their start date could be delayed, as they probably won't start planning their move to the venue until the position is confirmed. The CEO said that his job is to meet the needs of the customer, not to address the well-being of the links in the chain. If your interviewee starts saying negative things about a former or current employer, this is a big red flag for us.
If the job you're being interviewed for doesn't sound like the one you applied for or were informed about, take note. But taken together, they're a wake-up call to politely step aside from all consideration and continue looking for a new position, even if you're desperate to leave your current job or need to start earning a paycheck soon. Companies that come up with explosive offers are likely to continue to disrespect you once you're at work. You'll have wasted precious time getting stuck in a job you don't like, waiting to think that it's okay to leave the boat.
