Ask HN: What are some red flags during the first phone screen?
1) Focusing on the salary. Whenever $$$ is mentioned, the interviewing process becomes tainted for me. Some people say it's a good thing for salary (what you made, and what you're expecting) to be mentioned, but I find it highly unnecessary when you're interviewing with a good company (big, interesting products, not a sweatshop). I rather salary be discussed after you pass the interviewing process, so that I can focus on whether I like the company enough. Arguing about the salary from step 1 ruins the experience for me. I've had more positive experiences from not talking about salaries. I can't remember a single positive one from doing the opposite.
2) JavaScript === Java. I honestly have no clue how to talk to non-savvy recruiters. They're very boring to talk to, sound disinterested in you, and seem to mess up everything. The worst part is them being unable to answer your questions about the company. Compare that to a savvy one, whom I just talked to. He was able to help me with trying the product out, and used some of the tech I had on my resume.
3) Questions? There are no questions. I've had several interviews that lasted 10 minutes. They gave me no chance to ask any questions. They seem like they're reading from a script and checking off items. Very robotic sounding.
4) Constantly talking about your negative points. Why did you go to this school? Why is your GPA so low? Why do you have an unemployment gap? The entire interview turns into you trying to defend yourself. I don't understand the point of discussing all of this, when it has nothing to do with the job. The best recruiters for me have never asked any of those questions. They focus on how I fit into the job description, and whether I have the right skills.
Any HN readers share similar experiences, or know other flags?