Is it a red flag if an interviewer refers to the company as a ‘family’ during an interview? According to a study by People Managing People, nearly 1 in 5 job candidates think so. But that’s not the only warning sign candidates should watch out for. From high staff turnover to unrealistic expectations, there are several red flags that job seekers should be aware of during the interview process. Keep reading to find out how you can avoid these red flags and land your dream job!
According to a recent study conducted by People Managing People, a human resources content provider, nearly one in five (18%) job candidates consider it a warning sign when an interviewer refers to the company as a “family” during the interview process. The study analyzed over 5,000 comments from a Reddit thread discussing interview red flags.
Moreover, the survey identified several other red flags that job candidates should be wary of, such as a company’s desperation to hire or high staff turnover rates, expectations of overtime, inappropriate questioning, low salaries, and unrealistic expectations. To avoid these red flags during interviews, hiring managers should create clear and easy-to-understand job descriptions, be transparent about financial compensation and the reasons behind the role’s vacancy, promptly follow up with candidates and provide constructive feedback, as well as share learning and development opportunities.
In the job market, phrases like “company family” may sound appealing, but they can signal deeper issues within an organization.
In the hiring process, candidates are also evaluating potential employers as much as hiring managers are assessing them. A study conducted by Greenhouse, a hiring software company, revealed that 45% of surveyed employees turned down a job due to a negative interview experience.
Finn Bartram, editor at People Managing People, expressed the hope that this study would encourage potential interview candidates to be mindful of possible red flags during the interview process.
It is essential to remain vigilant, as these warning signs can indicate more significant issues with the potential boss, team, or organization as a whole.
The Greenhouse report also found that some candidates lose interest in a position before even being interviewed. If an application takes longer than 15 minutes to complete, 70% of job seekers are unlikely to complete it.
As pay transparency becomes more popular, applicants increasingly expect to see salary information in job listings. According to a survey by job search engine Adzuna, one-third of respondents would not attend an interview without first knowing the salary information. Candidates believe that omitting salary information from job postings is a sign that a company is untrustworthy, likely to underpay, and biased in its allocation of pay.
Job seekers must approach the interview process with a discerning eye, evaluating potential employers as much as they are being evaluated. While phrases like “company family” may sound attractive on the surface, they can signal deeper issues within the organization. By remaining vigilant and attentive to potential red flags, candidates can make informed decisions about the suitability of a role and the company culture. Employers can also take proactive steps, such as creating transparent job descriptions and offering competitive compensation, to attract and retain top talent. With these efforts, both employers and job seekers can work together to build healthy, sustainable, and fulfilling working relationships.