Far from all employers know how to hire properly. That is a fact. They ask you silly, typical questions, make you wait a long time and show outright incompetence... If all the other employees were hired the same way, who exactly works at this company?
Poor hiring can lead to a company full of unsuitable employees. This will hurt the efficiency and motivation of the whole team.
Here are some questions and situations that may raise red flags during an interview.
Question 1: “Tell me about your work experience from your resume in chronological order?”
Although this is a common question, it may suggest that the employer did not bother to study your resume in advance. Even though it seems ordinary and logical, if the employer does not ask any follow-up questions, it may point to a superficial approach to assessing the candidate.
Question 2: “What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?”
These questions can seem trite and thoughtless. Asking them is a normal interview practice, but if the employer does not ask how the candidate deals with their weaknesses and how they develop their strengths, it may point to a poorly thought-out and ineffective hiring process.
Question 3: “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”
The question may indicate that the employer wants to understand your career ambitions. In some cases, however, it can be too hackneyed, too generic and unrelated to the vacancy. The question sounds logical, but career plans can change, and a candidate cannot always predict their future accurately.
Question 4: “Why should we choose you?”
This question may seem aggressive, but it gives you a chance to show how you fit the specific role. If the employer does not ask more specific questions about the candidate’s skills and qualities, it may indicate that they base their decisions on superficial impressions rather than on an objective assessment of the candidate’s qualifications and experience.
Question 5: “Explain all the gaps in your work history?”
This question can be important for understanding your career path, but it should not sound accusatory. Some employers may ask about gaps in work history to understand the reasons for changing jobs or for a long absence. However, if these questions sound too intrusive and invade the candidate’s private life, it may be a sign of the employer’s incompetence and lack of professionalism.
Question 6: Illegal questions about personal life, children, sexual orientation
This is a red flag and may point to unethical hiring practices. Questions about marital status, pregnancy, family planning, having children and personal relationships are illegal in many countries. Such questions may indicate a violation of the principles of equality and discrimination based on sex or marital status.
Is the employer unprofessional?
If you run into 1-2 questions from the list, it does not mean the employer handles hiring unprofessionally, but if the whole interview consists of nothing but these questions...
In that case, it is worth thinking carefully about how well the company suits you, what the prospects of the company and the team are, not being afraid to ask questions in return to better understand the situation, or turning down the vacancy at this company.
Do not be afraid or shy about choosing an employer in the same way they choose employees.