Red Flags in a Job Interview

Sometime people will make bad decisions when taking a new position at a new company.  My old rule of thumb is to always listen to your gut feeling when something does not seem right.  Many people make these mistakes when it involves getting into their dream industry, or are excited about an opportunity because they are currently in transition, or a circumstance which is becoming increasingly common which is getting more excited about the location of the opportunity rather than the opportunity itself.

Remember to look out for red flags and these include:

1.

Not feeling a connection with the hiring manager. (aka your boss)  Other than identifying jerk behavior like someone who is not giving you his/her full attention or someone who is belittles your last company to make them seem more appealing, watch body language and how they act with other people that they are not interviewing or trying to impress.  If there is a red flag, speak to past employees.

2.

Check out the office culture.  Do you like the energy in the office?  Do people look happy?  What are they wearing? Are people talking or is it a sweat shop. 

3.

For sales and business development people, watch out for discussion based on earning potential rather than actual earning.  At the executive level this tends to happen most in technology organizations.

For executives with kids trying to find their first jobs.  Please tell them to be wary of any unpaid training.  This along with unpaid internships is a major issue in the youth market today.

Farewell,

Mike