Red Flags in Your Job Search; Part 1

By Dia Kline, PTCS Career Coach and Resume Writer

Remember when job hunting meant circling want ads with a highlighter and mailing your resume in a manila envelope? Those days are gone, but a few things haven't changed.

First, the interview process isn't just your audition, it's theirs, too.

Second, people (and employers) will show you who they are. Believe them.

And just like that mixtape from your high school crush, you need to read between the lines. Let's talk about the red flags you absolutely cannot afford to ignore in today's job market.

The Interview: Your Crystal Ball Into Company Culture

The interview is your best opportunity to spot trouble before you're knee-deep in it. Think of it as a sneak preview of what working there will actually be like.

🚩If a recruiter or hiring manager is rude, dismissive, or treats your time like it's worthless, believe them. When they cut off your answers mid-sentence, rush through the conversation like they're late for a dentist appointment, or refuse to let you ask questions, they're showing you exactly how they'll treat you as an employee. This isn't nervousness or a bad day, it's a preview of coming attractions, and the movie is going to be terrible. 

🚩Another major warning sign? When the interviewer clearly hasn't read your resume. If they don't understand your background or seem confused about why you're even there, it signals disorganization and a fundamental lack of investment in their team.

You deserve better than being an afterthought.

The AI Twist: New Technology, Same Old Problems (and Some Surprises)

Welcome to the future, where robots help decide your fate. The rise of AI in hiring has introduced some troubling new red flags and a few unexpected green ones.

🚩The Biggest AI Red Flag: Recorded interviews with zero human interaction. You know the ones: you're staring at your laptop camera, recording yourself answering canned questions, talking to absolutely no one. It's uncomfortable, impersonal, and here's the kicker. These recordings may be evaluated by AI systems known to exhibit bias in screening candidates. If a company can't be bothered to have an actual human being assess you in real time, what does that say about how they value people?

✅An Unexpected AI Green Flag: When used thoughtfully, AI can actually improve communication. Companies that use AI to send timely, friendly updates confirming your application was received, provide realistic timelines, or even let you know when a position has been filled are showing respect for your time and emotional investment. Being able to log in to a careers portal to check your application status might seem basic, but it demonstrates a culture that values transparency and the candidate experience.

Questions That Reveal the Truth

Want to uncover red flags during the interview? Ask these questions and listen carefully to the answers:

"What did you like or dislike about the previous employee?" If they badmouth their former team member, run. Today's trash talk is tomorrow's performance review.

"Why did the last person leave this role?" This question is gold for understanding longevity and satisfaction. Vague answers or obvious discomfort? 🚩🚩🚩 Red flag city 🚩 🚩 🚩

"What is the most important responsibility of this job?" Different people will give different answers, and those differences tell you everything about misaligned expectations and potential chaos.

Do Your Homework

Company values on a website are like a dating profile, aspirational at best. To find out if they're real, check Glassdoor for employee reviews and look for patterns. Better yet, reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. Even if they don't respond, their work histories speak volumes. Serial short timers across the board? That's high turnover screaming at you.

The Bottom Line

Green flags to watch for:

✅Clear communication

✅Efficiency

✅Transparency

✅Prompt follow-ups

✅Realistic timelines

These signal a culture that respects people and values accountability.

Red flags you can't ignore:

🚩 Rudeness

🚩Disorganization

🚩Lack of preparation

 🚩Badmouthing former employees

🚩Dehumanizing hiring practices.

Trust your instincts. If something feels off during the interview process, it probably is. You're not just looking for a job, you're looking for a place where your skills, time, and dignity are valued. 

Ready to navigate your job search with confidence? If you're looking for expert guidance on crafting a standout resume or preparing for interviews that reveal the real story, let's talk. Your next opportunity is out there. Make sure it's the right one.

Contact us today for personalized coaching that helps you spot the red flags before they become your problem.