If you're a career mom interviewing for a job, you are probably really excited by what you read in the job description and eager to leave your current job.

However, there are certain things you should watch out for during the hiring process. Many companies give red flags during the interview process that can tell you whether or not the company is a good fit for you.
Hiring managers should be carefully screening job candidates to make sure they hire the right person, but you should also make sure to take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions about the company and the position to ensure that this is the right job for you as well.
Noticing these red flags during the job interview can help you to avoid a challenging situation in the future with bad bosses, poor work culture, or lack of respect for your personal boundaries and time.
In this blog post, we'll discuss some of the most common red flags to look out for during a job interview and the the hiring process in general. Keep these in mind when interviewing with a company so you can make an informed decision about whether or not to accept the job offer!

5 Red Flags to Watch for in the Hiring Process

Poor Communication

One of the most common red flags is poor communication. If a company can't communicate well with you during the interview process, it's likely that they'll have communication problems down the line.

This can manifest in a number of ways, such as:

The hiring manager seems disorganized or doesn't know what they're looking for in a candidate.
The hiring manager asks leading or loaded questions that make you feel uncomfortable.
The hiring manager doesn't create space for your to answer the interview question or interrupts you frequently.
Interviewers talk more than they listen, and the interview doesn't feel like a two-way conversation.

If you notice any of these things during an interview, it's best to move on to another company. There are plenty of companies out there who will value your time and treat you with respect!

Lack of Processes

Another red flag to look out for is a lack of processes. This can be a sign that the company is disorganized and doesn't know what they're doing. It can also lead to a lot of frustration on your part as an employee if you're constantly having to ask for things or waiting on someone else to get something done.

Some examples of this include:

The interview process is very disorganized and chaotic.
They can't clearly articulate the interview process steps.
They don’t provide you with feedback or follow up in a timely fashion.
You're asked about things that are outside of your job requirements or that don't make sense.
They can't give you a clear understanding what you'll be doing or how you fit into the organization.

If you notice any of these things, it's best to move on to another company.

The Company Has Attrition Issues

One of the most important things to look for in a company is whether or not they have attrition issues. Attrition is when employees leave the company, either voluntarily or involuntarily. This can be a sign that the company is having problems with their work culture, pay, benefits, or other factors.

Some signs that a company has attrition issues include:

A high turnover rate. This means that current employees are leaving the company frequently.
Difficulty filling positions. This can be a sign that people don't want to work for the company or that they're having trouble finding qualified candidates.
Employees seem unhappy or disengaged. If you notice this during your interview, it's likely that there are bigger problems at play

A good way to find out about attrition issues is to ask why the role is open. If someone recently left, it's a good idea for you to ask why they left. If they get offended about this, that's another red flag!

You Don't Feel Valued

One of the most important things to look for in a company is whether or not you feel valued.

If you don't feel valued, it's likely that you won't be treated well at the company. This can manifest in a number of ways, such as:

You're not given any responsibility or meaningful work to do.
Your opinions and ideas are constantly dismissed or ignored.
You don't receive any recognition or appreciation for your work.
Your workload is excessive and unreasonable.

These are just some of the ways that you might not feel valued at a company. If you notice any of these things, it's best to choose another company where you'll be appreciated!

Here are some signs you should look for in the interview:

The ask salary expectations before they even ask about your work history.
They Avoid Talking About Salary, Benefits, or vacation time. If a company wants to attract top talent they will have great benefits and should be eager to share them with you.
They don't offer training or professional development opportunities to new employees.
The hiring team hasn't looked at your resume and aren't familiar with your employment history, skills, or past jobs.
They're not taking notes or seem involved in the conversation.
They're not focused on the interview or don't have interview questions prepared.

The Interview is All About Them

Look our for a hiring manager who talks incessantly about themselves and what they do (or don't do) at work doesn't leave much room for you to share your experiences and why you stand our from other applicants.

If it feels like the interviewer is putting too much focus on selling you on their company or product, or if they go into long riffs about how great their company is but don't really ask questions about your background or experience, they may be trying to impress you without really considering whether there's anything in it for you.

Interviewers should always be asking about you—what do you want to achieve in your career? What are your biggest accomplishments? Are you a team player? How would your previous roles make you the best person for this position?

Your interviewer may ask a few questions like this, but if they keep being all about themselves while not giving equal weight to questions and answers, they're not doing their job. If they aren't interested in learning about who you are and what drives you, or don't ask even the most common interview questions, that's a sign that this company doesn't value employees enough to take the time to get to know them.

Additionally, if they seem overly concerned with following a script (or making you stick to one), that might mean they're more concerned with "winning" than gaining knowledge about whether you'd be a good fit for the job.

Some Questions You Can Ask to Uncover Red Flags

Job interviews don't need to be a one way street. You can and should be asking questions to make sure that you'll enjoy working there as well. If they can't or won't answer questions, or you don't like what you hear, something is definitely wrong.

Here are some questions that you can ask the hiring manager to uncover red flags during the interview:

What are the biggest challenges that come with this role?
Can you tell me about the team I'd be working with?
What different departments would I be working with most closely?
What kind of development opportunities are available to me as a new employee?
How do you measure success in this position?
What is the average tenure of employees in this role?
What is the organization's communication style?
What is my boss' leadership and work style?
Are there certain times of the year that are busier than others?
What are the standard working hours for most people on the team?

Asking these questions can help you get a better sense of what it's really like to work at the company and whether or not employers value their employees. If you don't feel good about the answers you're getting, it's probably best to move on to another company.

Remember, your goal is to find a company where you'll be happy and valued moving forward!

Takeaway: Red flags are warning signs that it’s dangerous to ignore.

The key takeaway here is that a company's interview process, from start to finish, is crucial and deserves your attention as a candidate. Before accepting a new position, be on the lookout for red flags during interviews or in any stage of the job-seeking process: during the phone interview, in the face-to-face interview, all the way to the final round.

All of the little quirks we mention in this article may seem like minor irritations on the surface. You may be tempted to ignore some of these because of the excitement of starting a new job, especially if you're anxious to leave your current company, but even just one of them could be a sign of something larger and may be enough reason to decline a job offer if you receive one.

If a company is unwilling to invest in finding top talent and identifying the right fit for their company during the hiring process, it is more than likely that it will not be any different once you're a new hire. Do your research and prepare your questions so that you are an informed candidate who is able to assess how you will best fit into the organization.

Hire This Mom is a career coach, and we also offer interview preparation help! Reach out if you'd like our help in acing the interview and landing a new job.

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5 Red Flags to Look Out For in a Job Interview