You've made it to the interview stage for a job. Yet as the interviewer asks you questions, you start to get an uncomfortable, niggling feeling that something isn't quite right. The hiring manager seems a little disorganised, the role they're describing doesn't sound like the one in the advert, and they keep using buzzwords.

Recently, the resume advice platform StandOut CV surveyed more than 1,000 US workers to find out the biggest red flags for job interview candidates. Phrases like "winner's mindset", "work hard, play hard" and "hustle" were all warning signs.

In a separate 2024 survey, 37% of job seekers reported having had a negative interview experience. Key factors included being asked irrelevant questions, the interviewer making disrespectful comments towards co-workers, and the role being described differently to what was advertised.

"It's easy for candidates to feel like they have no real power in interviews, as if they're just there to impress and accept whatever comes their way," says Victoria McLean, founder and CEO of career consultancy City CV. "But in reality, interviews are a two-way street. You're assessing them just as much as they're assessing you."

So what red flags should you look out for in a job interview?

A lack of preparation

"If the hiring manager seems unprepared, can't give you a straight answer about the role, or worse, contradicts what you were told last time, that's your cue to pay attention," says McLean. "A lack of preparation on their side often signals deeper organisational chaos."

If the role doesn't sound like the one outlined in the job advert, it could be a sign that the company isn't quite sure what the role is. On the one hand, this could mean you may be able to mould the job to suit you. However, it could also mean the employers don't know what they want, which could cause problems. "If they can't agree on what they want, how will you ever meet expectations?" asks McLean.

A feeling of being interrogated

An interviewer may fire questions at you because of time constraints, but it can also be a warning sign. You should always have time to answer any questions and to ask any questions yourself.

"If the process feels more like an endurance test than a conversation, it might just be a preview of life on the inside," says McLean.

Phrases like 'we're a family'

Language speaks volumes about company culture. "Buzzwords like 'above and beyond' or 'wearing multiple hats' could be code for 'we're understaffed, and you'll be doing the work of three people'," says McLean. "When they say 'we're a family,' is that shorthand for late-night emails and blurred boundaries? It's all about the fine print."