Interview Red Flags You Should Never Ignore (Yes, Even If You’re Desperate)
Let’s set the record straight: feeling unsafe, uncomfortable, or just plain weird after a job interview isn’t “being dramatic”—it’s your instincts trying to protect you.
Kamy Charles
4/14/20252 min read
Whether you’re new to the workforce or pivoting careers, it’s crucial to know what signals suggest a role—or the company behind it—might not be what it claims to be.
Here are some red flags to watch out for:
1. They Ask You to Pay to Work
If a company asks you to pay for training, equipment, or certifications upfront, run. Legitimate employers invest in their employees—not the other way around.
✅ Bonus tip: Be wary of “startups” that offer commission-only pay with no product, no client base, and no structure.
2. Unprofessional Interview Locations
Bars, hotel lobbies, apartment lounges, or “meet me outside” vibes? Hard pass. Interviews should take place in a professional, secure, and appropriate space. Anything else is a red flag.
✅ A Zoom link with a custom domain and business logo? Great. ✅ A WhatsApp video call from a burner account? Nope.
3. Interviewing at Weird Hours
Unless it’s a global role with timezone differences clearly communicated, being asked to interview at 9 PM or later is questionable. Respect your time, and expect the same in return.
4. Sketchy Company Presence
Can’t find them on LinkedIn, Glassdoor, or Google? That’s a problem. Every company—big or small—leaves a digital trail. No reviews, no address, no verified website = proceed with caution.
5. Requests for Personal Information Too Early
Your SIN, banking info, or ID should never be asked for before an official job offer (on company letterhead, with terms). Anything before that is premature at best—and predatory at worst.
6. The Vibe Is Off
You feel like you're being talked down to, pressured, or guilt-tripped. They use buzzwords to distract from a lack of structure or transparency. It feels more like a sales pitch than a conversation.
✅ Trust that vibe. If something feels off, it usually is.
You Deserve Better
The job market is tough—but your safety, peace of mind, and integrity are not negotiable. Interviews should excite you, not drain you. They should affirm your worth, not make you question it.
Final Thought: The only thing you should bring to an interview is your résumé—not a shiv, not cash for “startup kits,” and definitely not your full SIN number.