The hiring process is the closest thing you’ll get to a trial run, so our advice is to pay attention to it.
Watch for:
Ghosting. Long silences, no feedback and unanswered emails are a good indication of how things will be once you've joined.
Endless rounds. Two or three stages are normal. Five, with no clear purpose, suggests a team unable to decide.
Disorganisation. Missed calls, double-booked interviews or interviewers who haven’t read your CV are all negative signs.
A role that changes. If the job at final stage isn’t the one in the ad, ask why.
Pressure to decide. A reasonable deadline is fine. “Sign today or lose it” isn’t.
Disrespect. Rudeness, lateness or dismissiveness in an interview is not a one-off. It’s a preview.
How a specialist recruiter helps
Redwood Publishing Recruitment act as your buffer. We chase feedback, manage timelines and keep you informed, so you’re not left guessing. If a process is going off the rails, we’ll say so and advise whether it’s worth continuing.
We also manage the offer stage: checking terms, handling counteroffers and giving you room to make the decision properly.
Mid-process and unsure? Talk to us: info@redwoodrecruitment.com