The 9 Biggest Interview Red Flags To Avoid in 2025

To give yourself the best chance of landing a job, you need to make sure you avoid raising red flags for employers during the interview.

To figure out what mistakes to avoid, we asked over 600 hiring managers as part of our Hiring Trends Survey what their biggest interview red flags are. Here’s what they said:

• Lying (63%)
• Rude language or behavior (54%)
• Criticizing past employers or coworkers (31%)
• Being late to an interview (30%)
• Lack of preparation (20%)
• Exaggerating past achievements (19%)
• Providing generic answers (11%)
• Being overly talkative (9%)
• Shyness (8%)

Read on to learn more about why these red flags can cost you a job and how to avoid them the next time you’re in an interview.

1. Lying

Nobody likes being lied to — especially hiring managers.

Lying about your qualifications might be tempting, but if you get caught it could ruin your chances of landing a job you’re otherwise qualified for. And remember, exaggerating your abilities or achievements counts as lying too!

For example, let’s say you exaggerated your skills and listed that you speak Spanish. Your white lie might seem harmless until the hiring manager, who’s fluent, decides to test your understanding.

Even if language skills aren’t essential for the role, this lie immediately puts into question the rest of your resume and your trustworthiness as a candidate, which could ultimately end up costing you the job.

Honesty is a core value in most workplaces, and once a hiring manager catches a lie, it’s nearly impossible to regain their trust.

Especially in 2025, where technology makes it easier than ever to verify information before the interview even begins, job seekers need to be extra cautious about their honesty and focus on being upfront and genuine.

Ed Huang, Executive Director at Resume Genius

What to do instead

It might sound cliche, but honesty is the best policy.

If you don’t know the answer to a question, it’s okay to admit that and explain how you would find the information or that you’re interested in learning more about that topic. In fact, to many employers, demonstrating curiosity will be seen as a green flag.

For example, you could say, “I’m not familiar with that specific tool, but I’m eager to learn and would take an online course to get up to speed.”

Honesty, resourcefulness, and problem-solving skills are qualities that hiring managers appreciate. Being upfront about your experience levels and expressing a willingness to learn can actually make you stand out.

Sebastian Morgan, Career Expert at CV Genius

2. Rude language or behavior

1 in 2 hiring managers say rude language or behavior is a deal-breaker. And who can blame them?

More openly aggressive behavior, such as raising your voice or arguing with the interviewer, is obviously a turn-off for employers. However, you should also pay attention to smaller mistakes like not smiling or avoiding eye contact.

Additionally, mind your language and avoid cursing in interviews just in case the interviewer finds it distasteful, even if the organization is known for its relaxed work environment.

What to do instead

Everyone gets nervous in interviews, but it’s important to practice being polite and positive.

Keep your composure and be mindful about your choice of words. Remember that you’re in a professional setting, and the hiring manager is not just assessing your qualifications but also your behavior and interpersonal skills.

Sebastian Morgan, Career Expert at CV Genius

3. Criticizing past employers or coworkers

A common interview question is “why did you leave your last job?”, and if you had a bad experience with your employer, it can be tempting to spill the tea. However, even if your previous role was terrible, hiring managers expect you to be positive and remain professional when describing your previous jobs.

Badmouthing your old company, current boss, or coworkers can make you seem bitter or raise questions about your ability to cope in challenging situations.

What to do instead

Venting about negative experiences at a previous job is understandable, but expressing those frustrations can work against you.

“When you only have bad things to say about the people you worked with in the past, that negativity can also reflect badly on you,” cautions Geoffrey Scott, Senior Hiring Manager at Resume Genius.

Rather than focus on the unpleasant experience, highlight the things you learned and the skills you gained.

Geoffrey Scott, Senior Hiring Manager at Resume Genius

If you missed out on a promotion, for example, spin it positively by talking about your interest in growing through professional development at your next company — without saying anything bad about your previous one.

4. Being late

Showing up late for an interview is a great way to make a bad first impression.

Even if it was an honest mistake, hiring managers might take your tardiness the wrong way and worry that you’ll always be late or have trouble meeting deadlines in the future.

Even if you have the perfect resume, being late can overshadow your qualifications and the positive aspects of your interview.

What to do instead

A good rule of thumb is to get to your interview 10–15 minutes early. This extra buffer shows you’re punctual and also gives you a few minutes to gather your thoughts and calm any pre-interview jitters.

Plan your route ahead of time and check the traffic to give yourself plenty of time to get to the interview.

If something unexpected does pop up — like a traffic jam or a late train — don’t panic. Let the interviewer know as soon as you can.

Send a quick message or call with a brief explanation and a sincere apology like,

“I’m really sorry, but I’m stuck in unexpected traffic and will be about 10 minutes late. I apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.”

By planning ahead and handling any delays professionally, you’ll show that you’re responsible and considerate — qualities every hiring manager values.

5. Showing up unprepared

If you show up to an interview only knowing the bare minimum about what a company does or what role you’re applying for, it makes you look uninterested.

Hiring managers appreciate candidates who’ve invested time into learning about the company’s values, goals, and operations.

What to do instead

Before going into an interview, prepare ahead of time by thoroughly reviewing the job description, as well as the website and social media platforms of the company you want to work at.

Go over the company’s “About Us” page, read the case studies, or study the services or products.

If you want to learn more about the company’s reputation, you can also look for company reviews on platforms like Glassdoor or Reddit.

Want to go even further? Study up on their competitors. You can reference your findings during the interview and use what you’ve uncovered to ask informed questions.

6. Exaggerating past achievements

Similar to lying, hiring managers see exaggerating past achievements as a potential red flag.

It can be tempting to embellish your accomplishments, but this can also backfire — especially if hiring managers ask for real-world examples of the team you say you managed or circle back to a question later to see if your answer remains consistent.

If your achievements sound too good to be true, employers might not believe you. So it’s important to provide context or have concrete examples ready to explain in detail.

What to do instead

Before heading into your interview, take some time to carefully review your resume and cover letter.

Hiring managers might ask you to expand on your accomplishments, so make sure you have something specific to say about each point.

To ensure your examples are realistic, focus on what you actually did and the impact it had. Use specific results when possible, and avoid vague statements.

7. Providing generic answers

While it’s not the worst red flag on the list, nobody wants to be forgettable in an interview.

Generic answers lack specificity and personal insight – in other words, they could apply to almost anyone.

For example, saying “I’m a hard worker” or “I’m good with people” doesn’t tell the hiring manager anything unique about you. These answers don’t provide any real-life examples or evidence of your skills and accomplishments.

Using AI-generated answers can also make you sound robotic and insincere. While AI tools can help you brainstorm, relying too heavily on them can result in responses that lack personality.

Remember, we’re all humans, and hiring managers want to know who they’re going to be working with. Be yourself, show some personality, and don’t be afraid to get a little vulnerable. Talk about a work hardship and how you turned it into something positive, or reveal a bit about what you truly love. These personal insights make a big difference.

Ed Huang, Executive Director at Resume Genius

What to do instead

One way to avoid generic answers is to be honest and authentic about what you’re passionate about, especially if relates to the role.

Share stories about overcoming tough challenges in past projects or jobs, and explain what you learned from these experiences.

Likewise, if you’re applying for work in a specific sector (like environmental protection), providing an anecdote about why you’re passionate about that type of work can leave a memorable impression on interviewers.

8. Being overly talkative

You’re supposed to talk during interviews, but how much is too much?

According to hiring managers, not being able to get a word in themselves or listening to you ramble nonstop can ring warning bells.

Talking too much can make you seem nervous or unfocused, and you may accidentally overshare information that could harm your chances of moving forward in the hiring process.

What to do instead

The secret to delivering confident, clear responses to any interview question is practicing beforehand. Typically, a minute to a minute and a half is good for a single response.

Read as many practice interview questions as you can and think about how you’ll form a response.

For trickier questions, such as “Tell me what’s not on your resume” try creating a few tailored responses and running through them in a mock interview.

Another tip is to use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when giving your responses.

This structured approach helps you deliver complete answers that cover all the necessary details and highlight your problem-solving skills.

Rehearsing your responses using the STAR method can ensure you’re ready to confidently share your experiences during an interview.

9. Shyness

Hiring managers understand that people get shy in interviews. However, if you’re unable to answer questions or freezing up so often that you’re making hiring managers uncomfortable, this can quickly hurt your chances of landing a job.

Shyness can be a potential issue in roles that require a lot of communication or collaboration. Hiring managers want to ensure that you’ll be able to interact effectively with colleagues, clients, or customers.

If you come across as too reserved or anxious, it might raise concerns about how well you can handle team projects, client interactions, or even day-to-day communication in the workplace.

You don’t need to be an extrovert, but you do need to show that you can engage and contribute when needed – including when you’re under pressure.

What to do instead

To make sure you come across as confident in your interview, practice as much as you can beforehand.

For starters, do mock interviews with friends or mentors. Have them ask you common interview questions and give feedback on your responses.

Also, try some deep breathing exercises to calm your nerves before the interview to help you stay focused and reduce anxiety.

Additionally, prepare some talking points ahead of time. Write down key points you want to mention during the interview to stay on track and cover relevant information.

The difference between an interview red flag versus a green flag

When preparing for an interview, you also want to highlight the qualities that make you stand out as a solid candidate.

So, what are the signs that you’re nailing it in the interview?

Here are the green flags that hiring managers love to see from our Hiring Trends Survey:

• Having a positive attitude and showing enthusiasm (43%)
• Providing clear and complete answers (38%)
• Showing background knowledge of the position (36%)
• Displaying confidence (35%)
• Asking relevant questions (33%)
• Giving a concise and relevant personal summary (32%)
• Sense of humor (22%)
• Taking notes (21%)

Essentially, hiring managers love seeing candidates who are genuinely excited, well-informed, and ready to chat.

So if you go in with a positive attitude and a good understanding of the company and role, you’re going to be just fine.

Take note of these red flags, be aware of the green ones, and good luck with your conversations!

Methodology

Resume Genius conducted this survey in partnership with Pollfish. The study aimed to understand how various stages of the hiring process — resume evaluation, interviews, and skills assessments — affect hiring decisions, as well as to identify the candidate qualities most valued by U.S. hiring managers.

The survey commenced on January 29, 2024, and targeted a sample of 625 participants. To qualify, respondents were required to be actively involved in hiring within their organizations. The survey ensured a balanced representation across various demographics, including gender and age groups, to accurately reflect the diversity of the U.S. workforce.

Pollfish uses Random Device Engagement (RDE) to minimize bias and ensure a fair and organic selection process. For further details on Pollfish’s methodology, please visit their website or pr@resumegenius.com.

Sources

• Resume Genius, “2024 Hiring Trends Survey”
• Resume Genius, “Communication Named #1 Soft Skill in AI-Influenced Workplace”

About Resume Genius

Since 2009, Resume Genius has combined innovative technology with leading industry expertise to simplify the job hunt for people of all backgrounds and levels of experience.

Resume Genius’s easy-to-use resume builder and wide range of free career resources, including resume templates, cover letter samples, and resume writing guides, help job seekers find fulfilling work and reach their career goals. Resume Genius is led by a team of dedicated career advisors and HR experts and has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, CNBC, and Business Insider.

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