The purpose of a job interview is for hiring managers to evaluate job candidates. But there is another aspect to the interview as well, one that does not get as much attention as it should. This is the reciprocal evaluation of the company by the job candidate.
Just as the company is deciding if a candidate is a good fit or not, the job candidate also needs to determine if the company is a good match for him or her. So during the interview, it’s important to recognize some telltale signs that the employer may not be the best place for you. These are red flags that should immediately put you on guard and encourage you to probe for more information. Here are a few of them.
1. Compensation
If you’re discussing compensation, beware of a company that tries to lowball you when it comes to salary. You need to be wary of any company that is not willing to pay a competitive salary or a salary that does not match your skills and experience. This kind of behavior is indicative of an employer that may not value its employees as much as it should.
2. Management issues
A red flag here is disorganization. For example, they don’t seem to be prepared for the interview when you arrive. No one is there to greet you. The hiring manager seems unprepared — he has not looked at your resume and doesn’t seem to have any questions ready to ask you. He’s not very forthcoming when asked about the company and its management.
3. Not a good fit
A red flag here is a company culture that doesn’t really suit you. It doesn’t seem like the kind of environment where you would like to work. For example, it may look too regimented or authoritarian, or the opposite, too laid back, with little formal direction.
4. Turnover
This one is a big red flag. If you see that there is a lot of turnover at the company, you should think twice about working there. You need to find out why the company cannot retain workers.
5. Improbable claims
If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. So if you hear a statement or receive an offer that does seem too good to be true, you should be wary of it and question it’s veracity.
If you are looking for employment, contact Opti Staffing. We are one of the best skilled trades staffing agencies in the region. We have a temp agency in Tacoma, a temp agency in Vancouver, Washington, a staffing agency in Portland, a staffing agency in Salem, Oregon, and a temp agency in Seattle. Give us a call today.