4 Signs You Should Walk Right Out Of That Job Interview
No matter who you are, you likely don’t look forward to job interviews when they come around. Having your professional presence carefully dissected to try and prove you’re worth the investment of a possible career path can make us feel vulnerable.
Worst of all, this issue can cause us to think the interviewing company has all the power, and that might lead to improper treatment on their part. While good job platforms like Get Outdoor Jobs can help you find appropriate opportunities, not all vet that strongly.
In this post, we hope to cut right to the quick and discuss three signs you should walk right out of that job interview and not even worry if you gave a good performance or not:
Unpaid Work
Companies might ask you to do a little task as part of the interview process, and that's usually fine, but it's a whole different story if they're asking for free work, as some do, especially in writing roles. If they want you to create a complete marketing plan or write many articles without pay, that's a red flag. It's one thing to show your skills, but another to give away your expertise for nothing. Some places might ask for a genuine "test" or "sample," and that’s usually more than acceptable, but if it feels like they're just after free labor, it's probably best to walk away and fast.
Rudeness Or Overly Familiar Comments
Interviews should be professional, even if they're trying to be casual and friendly. If the interviewer is rude, making inappropriate jokes, or getting too personal, that's not good and a sign of your experience. If they're asking about your relationship status or making comments about your appearance outside of professional compliments about your dress, that’s not on. Maybe they're just being disrespectful, like constantly checking their phone or interrupting you.
Unfortunately, young women are most likely to experience this treatment. Suppose you can walk away quickly and report it to the recruitment manager. Also, a public review about your experience could warn someone else before they have the same experience.
Evasiveness About Pay
Money talk can be awkward in your first interview, of course. Still, a good employer should be upfront about prospective payments—even if they talk about salary ranges if they keep dodging questions about salary or benefits.
Ignore the advice that says it’s “bad form” to talk about salary in your first interviews. It’s no secret that the employer will need to pay you because that’s what you’re here for. If they’re offended at you daring to ask what the salary range is, leaving negotiations for later, then don’t give them the time of day.
Hostile Implications
Bad interviewers might say things that sound a little off. If you get a warning sign, keep an ear out for it. For example, if they're hinting that you'll need to work crazy hours or that the boss has a "strong personality" (secret annoying boss code for “difficult to work with”), then you’re well within your rights to go. They might imply that you'll need to be available 24/7 or that taking time off is frowned upon. It’s a sign that they only see you as a work asset, not a human.
With this advice, you can leave a potentially toxic job placement.
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