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5 Red Flags to Identify During a Job Interview

If you go on a job interview only hoping and wondering if the prospective employer wants to hire you, it’s time to rethink your approach.

Your strategy should be two-fold: You are evaluating them just as much (if not more) than they’re evaluating you. Deciding whether to accept a job offer is in your hands. After interviewing (or anytime during the interview process), if you notice specific things that you consider deal breakers, there are ways to succinctly and effortlessly decline your candidacy. Example: “I’ve decided to withdraw my candidacy, thank you anyway for your consideration.”

There are several reasons why you may determine a prospective employer simply isn’t a good fit. The most important thing to remember is: You have every right to assess whether you would like working there. (Do you sense good chemistry with the boss?) Typically, you’re thinking (and consequently communicating) how you’d be an asset to the company but technically, how would the opportunity be a valuable avenue for your career?

[See: 25 Best Business Jobs for 2017.]

Here are five signs a job might not be your best match.

Employees Are Rude to Each Other

If you have the opportunity to interview in person or via Skype, always opt for the in-person route. It’s really challenging to observe future colleagues and the company culture without seeing it firsthand. Yes, you’ve probably done your homework on the company online, but nothing can replace the sense you get when you step inside the building.

A complete turnoff? Rudeness. Watch and listen to how employees interact, especially the boss. Do they talk down to one another? Throw each other under the bus? Do they seem to enjoy each other? Most of all, is there respect? After all, this is when they’re supposed to be on their best behavior; imagine what they’re like when potential new hires aren’t around?

Your Prospective Boss Is Rude to You

You’re excited to make a good impression; the chance to show why you’re the best candidate for the job. But during the interview, as you’re proudly answering questions and sharing your relevant experiences, you notice your prospective boss is responding to messages on her phone. This isn’t something to overlook.

If you’re not getting the full attention of your prospective boss as a candidate, you better believe you won’t get it as an employee, either. In fact, oftentimes it only gets worse, such as: When you need to state a problem and enlist her guidance on a proposed solution; when you’re looking to get your performance evaluated; when you’re explaining the need to hire an additional support; or even better — when you’re stating your case for a promotion. Your boss likely won’t have the time or vested interest in evaluating your requests. Working for an excellent boss is blissful. However, the opposite is downright toxic, and in no time, you’ll begin promptly circulating your resume once again.

[See: 10 Things Only Bad Bosses Say.]

They Seem Unethical

Prior to interviewing, hopefully you’ve taken time to prioritize what you’re looking for most in an employer. Better yet, you’ve ranked those factors, with the top three being most prominent such as higher pay, better boss and more interesting work — whatever matters most to you. The next step is to take a look at how this matches up to your prospective employer. Sure, the team’s social media feeds may demonstrate how they want to portray themselves, but how do you view them in real life? If they take you out for lunch, watch everyone’s rapport (as well as body language): Do they make eye contact with one another? Do they seem to be friendly with each other or hostile? Also, be mindful subtle cues. If they brag about having expensed last night’s dinner at a steakhouse and sneaking it through the timesheet system, run, do not walk toward the nearest job opening.

The Job Description Is Vague

If you’re hoping to gain clarity during the interview because you can’t quite understand what the role is and the specific responsibilities associated with the role, well — womp womp.

When a job description is pretty much non-existent, you will lack focus and direction toward your daily task. This can become especially frustrating when you’re looking to advance your career and don’t exactly know what direction it’ll take. In this case, just say no.

And now a word about dream employers — yes, this applies to your pie-in-the-sky dream employer as well. By putting them on a pedestal, you may overlook important clues that occur during the interview. That’s what the interview is there for — to do your homework and get answers to your questions. If the interview only leaves you with more questions, then it’s seriously OK to move on. Keep in mind, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be that way for other roles within your dream employer. It could very well just be this one. Focus on each job, each boss and each job description one at a time.

[See: Tips for Surviving a Career Transition.]

They Make You Wait a Really Long Time

OK, so you arrived to the interview 15 minutes early for your 9 a.m. start time and don’t get called into the interview until 9:15 a.m. That’s fine. But, when you don’t get called into the interview until 10:15 a.m. and no one informs you of the delay, that’s not cool.

There should always be a mutual understanding of respect. They need to be respectful of your time, especially since they know you, if you’re currently employed, definitely took time out of your busy work day to interview with them.

Once I was in the middle of an interview for a recruiting role and the company made me wait an entire hour between the third and fourth interviews. Finally, it got to the point where I told them I had a faux appointment — mainly because I was so annoyed, it was game over in my mind. I was not pleased; they were really inconsiderate of my time (I later found out they do this with every candidate to “test them.”) I was not amused and promptly rejected them via email and moved on.

At the end of the day, although sometimes frustrating, be grateful when employers show you their true colors, even the sour ones, during the interview process. It can save you a lot of time and energy in the long run. No one wants to start a new job only to dislike it and be looking for a way out.

Remember to keep your eyes open, interview objectively and above all, retain your power: You are indeed interviewing them.

More from U.S. News

10 Things Your Mom Didn’t Teach You About Job Searching

How to Be an Active Interviewee

5 Red Flags to Identify During a Job Interview originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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