Red flags during an interview

Anonymous

March 20,2022 at 12:22PM UTC

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Red flags during an interview

I interviewed last week for an HR position at a software company. Here is a list of red flags I experienced:

She talked negatively about the person I’d be replacing (she told me this person doesn’t know she’s being fired).
She did most of the talking and only asked me a few questions.
When I asked about the HRIS system and ATS, she said they were still looking into them. A software company that doesn’t have an ATS?
Comments such as “thick accents” and “they’re so difficult to understand” made me cringe. I had to counter with a question about work visas and I mentioned H-1B1, to which she had no clue.

I’m not sure how she can be running the HR department and it’s clear she shouldn’t be managing. I did ask a defensive question because I had already made up my mind that this was not the place for me. I asked her about turnover rate and attrition. She admitted it was high and “so many foreign employees make it difficult”.

Needless to say, I was unimpressed and didn’t send my standard interview thank you email nor do I plan to accept an offer if it happens.

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tamara williamsMarch 20,2022 at 12:59PM UTC
Hello,
I would see that as a Redflag if the person who is interviewing you talking negatively about another co-worker. Imagine what that person would say about you once you are hired. Ask yourself the question do you want to be mix up in toxic and drama environment?
AnonymousMarch 20,2022 at 3:06PM UTC
Yes, there are poorly staff and managed companies out there. So you made the decision to avoid them.
Sophie JoernMarch 20,2022 at 3:17PM UTC
An unfortunate experience for sure, I think sometimes people forget the "human" part of human resources. HR is more valuable than ever! I am confident you will find a new role that values and supports the HR function of their organization. Good luck on your job search! ?
TroyMarch 20,2022 at 5:44PM UTC
Just wow, it's amazing that she was running the HR Dept, but speaking so negatively about the employees. I am curious as to how she got "her" job. From what you shared, sounds like their HR dept is a joke and I am glad that you were unturned to your wants and needs and decided it was not the place for you. The funny thing is, I wonder if "she" thinks she is doing a great job?
Catherine MusgraveMarch 21,2022 at 12:36PM UTC
Why do you keep putting “she” and “her” in quotes?
AnonymousMarch 20,2022 at 6:34PM UTC
Run for the hills!!! So many energetic people end up, mistakenly, in HR. Hope you find a great place that deserves you. I've been in HR or related since 1995. So much has changed and also stayed the same. Good luck in your search!!!
Laura BrowneMarch 21,2022 at 4:11AM UTC
That sounds horrible! RUN! I'm sure they complain about how hard it is to find and keep good employees. No surprise there.
AnonymousMarch 21,2022 at 12:08PM UTC
If I were not planning to be there or take the job offer, it could be good to give some feedback or no? I would hope maybe some constructive feedback to them about your experience would help improve somethings or create awareness :)
Kimberly “KiKi” SiggersMarch 21,2022 at 12:12PM UTC
I would follow up with a letter thanking her for her time. In it, I would include feedback about the experience. It's great that you didn't put yourself in a position to be subject to that daily.
GirlBossanova934974March 21,2022 at 12:19PM UTC
Sounds like this company has chosen a business strategy of trying to do most everything 'on the cheap'. My experience with outfits that try to do things on the cheap is that they are always looking to slash costs aka employees at the drop of a hat. In the meanwhile, senior leadership is usually cashing in stock options as fast as they can. Steer clear and move on.
Pauline Mosca-CyphersMarch 21,2022 at 12:26PM UTC
I had the same experience and she said more than once that the owner doesn't care along with her having a hard time trusting people.
Rynn StrangeMarch 21,2022 at 12:31PM UTC
Yes, this is most likely where you do not want to be.
However, perhaps feedback is in order - to the person who manages/owns the company. It's very possible he or she is not aware of this person's sabotage (or would that be subterfuge?) Even if nothing happens, you've provided some insight to upper management as to why there are problems in the employee base.
Shelley MunroMarch 21,2022 at 12:31PM UTC
Honestly, I would not take the first item as a red flag. It is not uncommon for that information to be shared when it is the reason they are hiring. It’s usually used as a way to open the door for more dialogue on what the position requires vs what isn’t currently being done.
Also, not having an ATS isn’t a huge issue. It really depends on the company size. Based on the turnover mentioned it certainly sounds like they should be tracking!
The rest is a dumpster fire and you are smart to avoid it.
AnonymousMarch 21,2022 at 12:42PM UTC
As for the first item. I hear you. I had this happen at a job interview. I tried to see it this way too and took the job.
I thought wow, they are being transparent and it opens the dialogue of what could be done better however I lasted 4 months before quitting. There were several other people in my role in the same year.
I think the red flag isn’t so much that they shared it, it’s that the person was poorly talked about and then didn’t allow a conversation about it.
I think that those two extra elements make it red flaggy.
AnonymousMarch 21,2022 at 12:44PM UTC
The first one is pretty unprofessional. It's one thing to say "this position is available due to an employee termination" v getting into the hows and whys of "Susan" being a terrible employee.
Shelley MunroMarch 21,2022 at 1:02PM UTC
The poster only said “talked negatively”, and that is what I based my comment upon.
AnonymousMarch 24,2022 at 1:00PM UTC
This part is what is makes it unprofessional IMO:
(she told me this person doesn’t know she’s being fired).
A person who is being interviewed being told about someone else's termination before they even know screams unprofessional and providing WAY too much information to someone they may or may not hire.
AnonymousMarch 21,2022 at 12:32PM UTC
I had an interview a month ago at meta where the guy who was head of dei and black was rude to me and refused to ask any questions.
I asked him questions and he didn't know the answers to them and it was his department. Of course I got rejected. I sent a thank you letter for his time but people like him are gate keepers and qualified people will never get a chance at this rate.
Shelley Maley, Career Coach (PHR, GCDF)March 21,2022 at 12:36PM UTC
This is all very unacceptable and unprofessional. If I had experienced this during my interview, I would contact whoever is in charge because they need to know this behavior and attitude exists.
AnonymousMarch 21,2022 at 12:37PM UTC
That sounds awful. I’m sorry you had to waste your time on this interview.
The first two that you mentioned literally happened to me. I knew at the time they were red flags. I sadly took the job to try it out. I quit after 4 months.
LpiandesMarch 21,2022 at 12:38PM UTC
Ugh! That is awful.
AnonymousMarch 21,2022 at 12:41PM UTC
thats terrible especially coming from someone in HR.
telling someone in an interview that the person is being fired is a big red flag in the first place! There are a lot more diplomatic ways to say that. The fact they said “so many foreign employees makes it difficult ” is basically racist and obviously bias and no DEI policies in place! I can’t believe that came out of an HR employees mouth! Run and don’t even bother with that company! It’s lucky you found out now though and not when you are in the job! So that is positive at least!
Ramona d'ViolaMarch 21,2022 at 12:50PM UTC
Worse than a Dilbert cartoon...but real.
Crystal HowellMarch 21,2022 at 12:50PM UTC
Good choice; keep it moving.
AnonymousMarch 21,2022 at 12:51PM UTC
RUN!!!
Ruth C KegelMarch 21,2022 at 1:00PM UTC
That was flags everywhere!
Cassandra SchmigotzkiMarch 21,2022 at 1:01PM UTC
just wow
AnonymousMarch 21,2022 at 1:13PM UTC
WOW at least you found out relatively early that this wasn’t the place for you (or anyone who likes a nice work environment) to work. It shouldn’t come from anyone within the organization but especially not from HR!
Brenda CrawshawMarch 21,2022 at 1:46PM UTC
You might want to pop that up on Glassdoor..... That repeatedly unprofessional behavior is a HUGE warning sign for what is likely a corporate culture. And if it's not, someone who has the power to exact change will see your narrative and address it.
AnonymousMarch 21,2022 at 3:01PM UTC
Yes, please post Glassdoor review. This needs to be called out so people/companies do not continue to get away with this abhorrent, unprofessional behavior.
AnonymousMarch 21,2022 at 2:06PM UTC
Interviewing can be compared to dating. You are meeting to find out if it would be a good fit. If you don't find a connection, you sure the heck don't want to marry them! You dodged a bullet. Best of luck in your search.
AnonymousMarch 21,2022 at 2:13PM UTC
I've been in several interviews where I was told they were looking for a replacement. I always ask what they have done to coach and improve his/her performance. How the coworkers like working with the individual (if they liked this person and feel was unfairly terminated, they aren't going to be very nice to you). And ask about the previous person and why they are no longer there. Finally ask what would make you successful in the position.
Deborah MichaliszynMarch 21,2022 at 2:19PM UTC
Actors and Actresses go to training courses to learn accents, and I know when I took French they integrated learning the French accent into the course.
I think if the company were supportive they would help them by offering these kinds of courses since it really it a fact that it's so difficult to understand through thick foreign accents. When people want to live somewhere else, unless they are refugees, part of it always should be to learn the country's accents. When you do, you aren't such a burden and people like you! :) One time I was asking a company for a refill on my prescription, and I very genuinely couldn't understand the lady, her accept was very thick and I was trying hard to be polite but she flipped out on me, and she used God's name in vain 3 times, and after the third time, I stopped her midway and said "lady, don't talk to me like that, I just want to understand what you are saying". Anyway, I couldn't believe it because in no way did I want to have a conversation like that, I just very innocently couldn't understand her and I didn't say anything to her about her accent and I tried very hard to understand her. So, I think when people get sensitive about these things, they should also try to do something about it because it can affect your career. Communication is very important. If I went to live in Wales UK, I'd try hard to learn their accent, it's just part of learning the culture and language and making yourself able to survive well. Why are people complaining about their responsibilities? They know they need to learn the accent. Anyway, I had NOTHING against the lady, and she flipped out and took out her frustration so HARD on me, I actually by the end of the conversation "began" to feel annoyed with her. So, she hung up on me. It was terrible that she used the Lords name in vain to me, insulting me on purpose just because she needed to clarify things for me to hear right. Not fair I had to take that. I phoned again and the next person was clearer and she knew what happened and apologized. That was good, because I literally did nothing to deserve that.
AnonymousMarch 21,2022 at 2:56PM UTC
I agree that people should do everything they can to learn the language of the people they are doing business with, but you have to realize that not everyone can improve their accent. My ex-husband came to the US in 1981 when he was 25 and although he is fluent in English and hardly ever makes errors in grammar or vocabulary, his accent is still quite strong. I was an ESL teacher and I worked with him to improve his accent. It helped but there is no way he will ever completely get rid of his accent.
That being said, speaking fluent, lightly-accented English should be a job requirement for telephone customer service jobs. And they need to be able to properly pronounce the names of the products they are selling! This company obviously did a terrible job training that person in customer service skills!
Farheen HasanMarch 21,2022 at 3:37PM UTC
A “burden?”
Deborah MichaliszynMarch 21,2022 at 10:11PM UTC
The word "burden" refers to a heavy load.
When you say you do not wish to be a burden, you're saying you will do everything possible to make the other person's life easier. Ideally, the burden should be shared by both parties. I, for example, have a mild form of autism, or Asperger's, and I do my best to not only be accurate in what I say, but also to be tactful, and I work hard to continuously educate myself so that I am well positioned to communicate with others. The expectation of those who respond to me is that they will also bear some of the burden, that the whole burden does not fall on me, but that they will accept me unconditionally. My goal is not to be a burden, and I manage my entire responsibility to learn how neurotypicals think, and they as well have to gain an understanding of me; that is their duty. That is their end of the deal. So that we are all doing everything in our power not to burden one another. What ever you do, you must think about your end of the responsibility first, and not tell others what to do. This is why I say, you don't want to be a burden, you want to make everything as easy for the other person as possible! Kindness goes hand-in-hand with this.
Terrie SackettMarch 21,2022 at 2:20PM UTC
Good decision! There are plenty of HR positions open for company's that respect their employees.
Amy GeffenMarch 21,2022 at 2:29PM UTC
Agree with you. Not the place for you to work.
AnonymousMarch 21,2022 at 2:29PM UTC
Just awful and the fact that she was very comfortable discussing the soon to be former employee and foreign employees is cringy, mind-boggling, and sadly, not surprising given the current climate.
In a sense, it might've been a "good" thing that she did discuss this, had she not, you may have been inclined to give the company and position consideration.
Can you imagine, accepting the role only to find out this is how they operate? Post on Glassdoor if you're comfy and congratulations on dodging that bullet!
AnonymousMarch 21,2022 at 2:41PM UTC
Oh well, sorry next.
AnonymousMarch 21,2022 at 2:51PM UTC
WOW. This interaction is horrifying.
Ann BraunMarch 21,2022 at 2:59PM UTC
It's great to share your experience with red flags during interviews. Talking badly about an employee is just as bad as the interviewee talking badly about the previous employer!
I think another red flag in an interview is if you don't get a chance to see the office before taking the job. If you have 2 interviews and they are both off-site, something is off. Unfortunately, I learned that the hard way.
Barbara ThompsonMarch 21,2022 at 3:01PM UTC
What’s something larger than a flag? Blankets? Red blankets? What an awful place to work.
AnonymousMarch 21,2022 at 3:05PM UTC
Thank you for sharing. I have learned to pay attention to" red flags" during an interview because it is a peek into a company's organizational culture.
AnonymousMarch 21,2022 at 3:35PM UTC
my last employer had many of those same red flags and I didn’t even know to beware. I’d never worked for full on racists before, but it was obvious that it wasn’t an accident that none of the 140 employees even had a tan. I literally walked into the company kitchen one day and it was covered in confederate flag Merch for one of our artists.
I eventually quit, but am still bothered by how disgusting that situation was & angry that they are allowed to operate this way still.
Bradford McCormickMarch 21,2022 at 3:56PM UTC
"She talked negatively about the person I’d be replacing (she told me this person doesn’t know she’s being fired)." And do I understand you say the persons **saying** this is **in** HR, when doing something like that sounds to me like the person should be being **reported** to HR? Bad mouthing somebody is a nono, but you could have gone and spilled the beans to that poor unsuspecting soul, even. Either this persons was having a very bad hair day and kicking the cat or maybe they were trying to seduce you by making you think you were "in on little secrets" because maybe she's the kind of person who thinks other people are like her and like such bad gossip?
AnonymousMarch 21,2022 at 4:21PM UTC
Ugh! I also just had some red flags during a phone interview. I was rescheduled 4 times and the HR person never mentioned it. She spoke the entire time and when I asked whether I could ask some questions, she acted annoyed. After my 3rd question she rushed me off the phone and said she had other interviews to conduct. I’m guessing I’m not going to hear back from her. Oh, and she couldn’t address any questions about the job itself - which I thought was really weird, considering she’s the director of HR. Follow your gut instincts!
Linda BlackmoreMarch 21,2022 at 4:25PM UTC
Wow...
AnonymousMarch 21,2022 at 4:40PM UTC
Well, at least these very obvious flaws came during the interview, and you are paying attention to them.
I interviewed for an HR leadership role with growing organization under a private equity firm. During interview with the CEO, he told me "I hate coming to the point of hiring HR". That was red flag. He and other leaders also talked negatively about certain leaders in the organization. The same CEO, whom I met with numerous times a week when I did accept the role, said the same things EVERY TIME we met - "Sandy Beaches should not be in her role, she is not qualified. She ran a pet day care prior to here. Rosey Petals is not qualified for her role, she is an administrative person that just got raises and job titles because no one knew better."
Wow, I should have not bypassed those horrific red flags. As a leader and HR leader, that is UNACCEPTABLE behavior from anyone in the organization. For a leader to say that about anyone is unacceptable. For a leader to say that about another leader......OUTRAGEOUS. I'm glad that I got out.
Karen SpenceMarch 21,2022 at 4:49PM UTC
Lucky you for being given the gift of red flags before accepting the position! At least you listened to your gut. Not all of us do.
Valentina Huang, MBA, SHRM-CPMarch 21,2022 at 4:50PM UTC
Wow. Sounds like someone in HR may be new to the role?! Other than follow your instincts, perhaps try to speak with another person from this company before completely ruling them out.
TeenieMarch 22,2022 at 11:52PM UTC
IF HR is talking like this, I would bet that they aren't being held accountable. Which means it's probably running on things other than merit & HR is either a rubber stamp role or running it's own government..
Rule the company out would be my advice. It's also possibly full of other issues like discrimination (HR was doing it here !) , ageism and everything wrong. And yes large firms like these exist coz no one is fining them for all this!
Maria Paula CalvoMarch 21,2022 at 4:55PM UTC
Great to see that you identified the red flags on time! However, do not confuse the person you talked to with the entire company. This interview was evidently unfortunate and eye-opening for you, but I would recommend that you keep up in showcasing your brand even sending thank you notes for these cases, that speaks about YOU, not the receipient of your note. And I am sure you don´t want that anyone, including this not so strong HR persona, use your omission as a way to demerit your image. You never know the paths life will take you through!
AnonymousMarch 21,2022 at 5:51PM UTC
So unprofessional and inappropriate on so many levels - I'm so glad you were able to recognize this and this company shouldn't be run by an incompetent like that. Disgraceful!
Stan PrishMarch 21,2022 at 6:08PM UTC
Sounds like HR violating protocol.
Kryssy SantanaMarch 21,2022 at 6:41PM UTC
Wow. Im in awe interviews like that still happen these days. Good for you for defending yourself.
Beatriz Albini-RuizMarch 21,2022 at 7:21PM UTC
Run as fast as you can! It sounds like a place where they do not value diversity and also who like to work with such a viper?
AnonymousMarch 21,2022 at 7:40PM UTC
This itself reeks of biases.
AnonymousMarch 21,2022 at 7:58PM UTC
All you what you wrote is true. But, in this instance, HR sounds like a card-carrying racist, who is probably also responsible for importing other card-carrying racists from India. This HR is probably the type who thinks that "those people" are smarter than "those Negroes". So here again we have a case of like attracting like, even with the H1B scenario. Where did they learn the caste system in India? From people like Racist HR.
IntentionGirl630054March 21,2022 at 8:55PM UTC
I'm sorry you've had such bad luck with employees hired using H1B1 visas. I have had particular success with such employees, the ones I've worked with are determined to do well.
It is difficult for any group of country-aligned people to completely abandon their culture on entering the USA -- many Irish and Jewish and Chinese families' adaptation to USA culture have been the basis for many books and movies! 'Bend it like Beckham' is a contemporary view of this.
If the hiring process has focused on applicants from India, then there is a bias in the system - sourced from the point of the H1B1 US government guidelines, the management of the US-based company, and possibly the US based HR leads.
I found the commentary above to be rather bigoted and would prefer such postings to be removed.
Sidney BristowMarch 21,2022 at 10:13PM UTC
R-U-N
AnonymousMarch 21,2022 at 11:08PM UTC
While interviews like that are unfortunate, they're also good in how much you learn prior to joining the company. I recently withdrew from consideration for a position after an interview. I too was asked minimal questions and they basically just told me all about the company and position, probably more that they should have (from their perspective anyway). I realized it was not the right fit for me. In that sense, I'm glad I learned it when I did and not a week into the job (they said I was their top candidate). So consider it a positive for yourself that you were able to avoid accepting an offer.
Stephanie F, MSHRMMarch 22,2022 at 10:42AM UTC
I’m glad that you were able to listen and hear those red flags.
it amazes me sometimes how some people even got to management positions much less into HR.
Shel WebsterMarch 22,2022 at 3:40PM UTC
Wow, so many issues on one interview. That person for sure doesn't belong in HR. Good job recognizing all of the red flags for what they are.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistMarch 22,2022 at 6:29PM UTC
Gigantic red flags. Bullet dodged.
Ramona d'ViolaMarch 22,2022 at 6:51PM UTC
When people (companies) show you who they are...believe them.
Jenna FirsheinMarch 22,2022 at 8:21PM UTC
Run away
Barbara NegronMarch 22,2022 at 11:18PM UTC
That is an unfortunate occurrence, it is good that they identified their views pretty early on in the process. It would have been great if you would have an opportunity to give your feedback as to why you chose not to proceed. Tactfully and in a professional manner this org needs to learn why they have so many red flags.
Erica MMarch 23,2022 at 2:13AM UTC
Just wow.
AngellaMarch 23,2022 at 4:56AM UTC
I would write to the CEO about this employee!
Sarah HernandezMarch 23,2022 at 1:52PM UTC
Yikes! Is there a recruiter, or someone else at the company you could report this to?
AnonymousMarch 24,2022 at 3:49PM UTC
Conscious or not this is what bias looks and sounds like. I'd write a note to the leader of the organization so that they're aware of the type of people they have making employment decisions.
AnonymousOctober 26,2022 at 6:55PM UTC
Oh my gosh, this is wildly unacceptable and mind blowing.
No one with emotional or business intelligence would ever consider speaking in such disrespectful, ignorant ways. At some point, this company is going to suffer for this person’s unprofessionalism. I would absolutely find a way to report this to someone higher on the ladder.
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