You arrive for your interview. You’ve prepared well, have done your research about the seek position and the future company itself. You’re practically feeling optimistic to enter the whole process. Now is the time to remember that a job interview is a two-way street, and it’s the responsibility of the employer as well to present itself in the best light possible.
If you are unhappy in your current situation (your job or the company you are working for) it might be tempting to take the first job you are offered. But you need to be careful that you aren’t walking into a worse situation, or for the lack of better words – another lion’s den.
Here are five warning signs that should alert you during the interview and recruitment process:
Communication. It’s either unprofessional or leaning on disrespectful. Your interview is repeatedly rescheduled and upon arrival, the receptionist or the HR contact is sullen and rude, and the hiring manager is abrupt and distracted throughout the interview. You are aware of negative body language, and in this case, it’s on display from the outset.
Questions are ignored. Whatever your questions are – whether they are about the company, the likely timeline for the complete hiring process or questions about previous employees in this position – all are treated with raised eyebrows and a response along the lines of “that’s confidential at this stage.”
You are offered the job without a formal interview or reference check. If you’re offered the job early on in the interview without any requests for reference checks or verification of your resume, then do stand back and review the situation. Just imagine, if the company makes snap decisions in the hiring process, what will happen when it comes to firing?
No proper/official Job Description. Not only that there is no official job description available, but there are no details on how your performance-related objectives will be defined. You’re assured that it will be resolved “after you’ve joined,” but a company that has no goals or vision normally finds itself in financial trouble somewhere along the line. On top of that, if there’s no defined title or start date, then my friend, it’s for certain not to continue or pursuing further.
You don’t feel the connections. First impressions count. This is probably your intuition telling you not to pursue this particular role. If you’re in a position where you simply need a job for financial reasons, do cautiously think it over.
