Going in for an interview, employers evaluate your skills, your experience, and whether you’re a good fit with the company. However, employers shouldn’t only be the ones doing the evaluating. As job seekers, you should also be evaluating whether a company is really what they say they are by picking up on clues in the interview. To that end, here are some things to consider.
Are they consistent? – Is the job description constantly changing? Do they go back on their word? If there are details that they always change, imagine how it would be if you started working there.
Are they considerate? – Do they ask you to come in for an interview with a few hours’ notice? Offer water when you arrive? Do they consider your schedule? How would you feel working for a company that doesn’t give any consideration to their employees?
Are they friendly? – Having a boss who welcomes people, including applicants, is a trait that you definitely want in a boss. It keeps the company at ease even during high-stress situations, which helps their employees perform better.
Are they honest about the job? – When an employer is trying to fill a position that is more tedious than exciting, they might downplay the less attractive aspects of the job. This is a practice that is not particularly endearing; it displays a bad habit that can hurt you in the future.
Are they communicating with you? – A lot of companies that are looking for a new employee don’t bother to inform an applicant when he or she has been eliminated from consideration. Even if you aren’t the one who has been eliminated, you can still view this as a red flag.
Looking for these little clues can help you decide whether a company is going to be a good place to pursue your career. Keeping an eye out for these subtle hints can help you avoid getting yourself into another bad situation. Getting a new job isn’t always the best decision if it means you’re getting into a bad situation. That’s why you need to evaluate the interviewer, just like the interviewer is evaluating you.