23 Real interviewees share wild stories about warning signs in interviews that should have you running for the exit: 'They got so mad they ended the interview'

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Isabella Penn
Sep 21, 2024 9:00 AM EDT

Interviews can be nerve-wracking, but sometimes they reveal more about the company than you might expect. A recent Reddit thread had users sharing their worst interview stories, highlighting red flags that screamed, "Run!" One particular tale involved an applicant who called out the company's terrible Glassdoor reviews. Instead of addressing the concerns, the interviewer got so mad that they abruptly ended the interview. She dodged a major bullet there.

This incident sparked a flood of similar stories, with Redditors chiming in about the warning signs they encountered. From unprofessional behavior like interviewers showing up late to vague job descriptions and unrealistic expectations, these experiences paint a vivid picture of what to watch for.

Other users noted the importance of company culture, mentioning how a lack of enthusiasm from the team or an overly aggressive tone from the interviewer can be telling. If your gut is telling you something feels off, it's worth listening. These stories serve as a reminder that interviews are a two-way street, and sometimes it's just as important to assess the company as they assess you.

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  • 01
    r/AskReddit ⚫2 days ago photo_inbloom What's a red flag everyone should be aware of when attending a job interview?
    via u/photo_inbloom
  • 02
    Adorable_xPrincess • 2d ago I brought up a company's awful Glassdoor reviews and they got so mad they ended the interview. Well. Guess I dodged that bullet 15K Reply
    via u/Adorable_xPrincess
  • 03
    sheikhyerbouti 2d ago If they tell you on arrival that the job you applied for is no longer available, but they have a VERY SIMILAR position that JUST OPENED UP - leave immediately. It's a bait and switch tactic coupled with the sunk cost fallacy. The
    via u/sheikhyerbouti
  • 04
    "new" position will be identical to the original one you applied for - except the salary is significantly lower. They're hoping that you'll play along because you showed up to be interviewed, probably desperate for work and will accept any job - no matter the wage. Furthermore, the position you applied for doesn't really exist - or at least not at the advertised wage. 8.9K Reply
    via u/sheikhyerbouti
  • 05
    Leather-Interview-28 2d ago • "We don't like 'clockwatchers' here. We expect everyone to be committed." Expecting more work for no extra pay. Getting mad at you when you leave at 5 even though your stated work hours end at 5 5.2K Reply
    via u/Leather-Interview-28
  • 06
    Perfect01 Muse • 2d ago "We only want the best of the best" Me: "how much are you paying?" "Minimum wage" 5.2K Reply ...
    via u/Perfect01Muse
  • 07
    random5654 • 2d ago If you have to make any financial investment into the company in order to work there. I interviewed for a window installation company and did well on the test. They wanted me in sales and said I needed to pay for a laptop. They would cover it and take it out of my checks if I didn't have the cash to pay upfront. 4.6K Reply
    via u/random5654
  • 08
    babyjaybae • 2d ago "Well, the overtime isn't mandatory, but most folks stick around after hours most days." Spoilers: The overtime is mandatory. 4.5K 4.5K Reply
    via u/babyjaybae
  • 09
    Accurate_Screen_6012 . 2d ago If they lied about the salary on the posting 4K 4K B Reply ...
    via u/Accurate_Screen_6012
  • 10
    PerfectxDollx . 2d ago Employees are either new hires or have been there for 15+ years with no in between. There is rno room for improvement - it's better to leave for advancement 3.6K Reply
    via u/PerfectxDollx
  • 11
    cleverwall • 2d ago They asked me my political opinion which I didn't think was right ✩ 2.7K Reply
    via u/cleverwall
  • 12
    xpetiteemilyx • 2d ago One red flag for sure is when they talk about how the company is "like Like, that usually a family." means they expect you to be super available all the time and put the job above everything else, even your actual life. 2.6K Reply ...
    via u/xpetiteemilyx
  • 13
    SweetSorbet • 2d ago I once turned down a job offer because they mentioned that the previous person in the position had quit after a few months, and most of the people I interviewed with seemed stressed out. 2.4K Reply
    via u/_SweetSorbet
  • 14
    Elegant-1Queen • 2d ago When you are signing all the forms they give you and you are taking your time to read over every document so that you can fully understand what you are getting into and people come in and start telling you that you don't need to read this and that just sign here and so on. 1.9K Reply
    via u/Elegant-1Queen
  • 15
    No_Recognition_1426 • 2d ago "Nobody wants to work anymore" - You're about to find out exactly why nobody wants to work for them. Seriously, every single job I've worked that said that during an interview was toxic and grossly underpaid. 1.7K Reply
    via u/No_Recognition_1426
  • 16
    ribnag . 2d ago "We're a family" - A dysfunctional one with a narcissistic mom and abusive alcoholic dad. "Work hard, play harder" - aka we're all functional alcoholics and sleep is for the dead. "Untracked PTO" - This one can be a green flag as long as they
    via u/ribnag
  • 17
    immediately clarify everyone takes at least 8-10 weeks a year, otherwise it's a nice way of saying "there's no need to track it because we don't take any". "Up to $X a year performance bonuses!" - You're going to make minimum wage.
    via u/ribnag
  • 18
    Buzzword bingo when you ask what you'd actually be doing. It either means you'll be bored out of your skull, or regularly berated for not being Superman. "So if you make it to the sixth round of interviews, you can expect..." - They're not really going to hire anyone. Cut bait. 1.7K Reply
    via u/ribnag
  • 19
    North NorthAmerican • 2d ago I interviewed with one of the big ticket networks. It's based in Southern New England. The pre-screen call with the hiring manager went well and our views about writing code, source control and documentation were spot on so I thought I'd give it a shot.
    via u/NorthNorthAmerican
  • 20
    When I arrived they took my driver's license from me and told me they'd hold it while I was on site. Then they wanted to do a credit check while I was taking a series of grammar, basic intelligence and JavaScript tests. I told them there's no way I was going to get my credit dinged with a hard credit check before an offer. The woman from HR... just. didn't. get. it.
    via u/NorthNorthAmerican
  • 21
    I made sure they stopped the credit check, collected my license, and walked out. I sat in the car for a minute, thinking about the very odd vibe of the place, how they treated me, and wondered about the culture of a place that would do these things. Since then, they have been outed for a whole bunch of issues, including [big surprise] HR ethics.
    via u/NorthNorthAmerican
  • 22
    Looking back, I never should have considered working in that place. I'm my very happy where I work now, boss is smart and flexible and I'm doing good work opposed to Near miss! 1.1K as concert goers. Reply
    via u/NorthNorthAmerican
  • 23
    gracezeox • 2d ago when they can't even bother to look at your resume like bro if you want me to work for you at least fake it. 781 Reply
    via u/gracezeox
  • 24
    . itsjordanxx • 2d ago A red flag is when the interviewer doesn't ask about your experience or skills in detail but focuses on your willingness. to work long hours or handle excessive workloads. It could mean they expect you to overwork. ↑ 728 ⇓ Reply
    via u/itsjordanxx
  • 25
    island-breeze • 2d ago "These will be your responsibilities, but you might be asked to do take on this and that role." Prepare to take 3 jobs for the salary of 1. 673 Reply
    via u/island-breeze
  • 26
    OhMyGodBearlsDriving • 2d ago One I never see people mention that I absolutely should have paid attention to: Any implication that the role you're taking on is easy and/or not that important. Either this or
    via u/OhMyGodBearlsDriving
  • 27
    any signs they may be underestimating the amount of work involved. Seems like a no-brainer, but this gets let slip at interviews a shocking amount. 619 619 Reply
    via u/OhMyGodBearlsDriving
  • 28
    iamjurassicmark • 2d 2d ago Caginess about the salary. One job I got handed my predecessor's email, and they were openly talking about how I was underpaid because I was underpaid. They had £22k more in the budget than they paid me, and cheapskated me on that. I
    via u/iamjurassicmark
  • 29
    lasted 9 months, and was furious. They me for no reason other than they could. ANY job advert that says "competitive salary" I contact them and say "I have a competitive CV. Shall we stop now?" the 530 Reply
    via u/iamjurassicmark
  • 30
    Former-Finish4653 2d ago I had an interviewer straight up ask if I'd ever been an addict. Also if they bristle when you ask why the position is open/why the last person didn't work out. If they won't answer that simple question, run. 508 Reply
    via u/Former-Finish4653
  • 31
    Cheezburger Image 10406178816
    via Unsplash (Getty Images)

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FAILS boss hilarious employee fired manager hired warnings reddit thread red flag Reddit company interview funny
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