7 Green Flags (and 3 Red Ones) to Watch for in Healthcare Interviews
You’re in the interview, answering questions, trying to make a great impression. But here’s the thing: you’re interviewing them too.
Whether you’re a physical therapist, nurse, OT, SLP, or allied health professional—this job is going to impact your time, your stress, and your future. You have every right to assess whether the role is a good fit for you.
At MedHires, we talk to thousands of healthcare professionals each year. Some take jobs they love. Some take jobs they regret. The difference often comes down to what they noticed—or didn’t—during the interview process.
Here are 7 green flags that signal a healthy work environment—and 3 red ones that should make you pause before accepting the offer.
✅ Green Flag 1: The interviewer respects your time
If the employer is on time, prepared, and not rushing you through the process, that’s a great sign. It means they value your time and see you as a professional—not just a slot to fill.
What to look for:
- Prompt communication
- Clear scheduling
- No last-minute cancellations (unless there’s a real reason)
✅ Green Flag 2: They’re honest about the challenges
No workplace is perfect. If your interviewer is upfront about caseloads, staff turnover, or documentation systems, that’s a sign of transparency. It means they’re not sugarcoating things—and that they trust you to handle the truth.
What to ask:
“What’s been the biggest challenge for your team in the past year?”
Watch how they respond. Honest answers are better than vague “we’re working on it” responses.
✅ Green Flag 3: You meet future teammates or supervisors
If they bring in the clinic director, your potential team lead, or fellow clinicians to meet you, that’s a big plus. It shows they care about culture fit and want both sides to feel good about working together.
Tip: Take note of how those people interact with each other. That dynamic is what you’re stepping into.
✅ Green Flag 4: They talk about growth, not just needs
If the interview is focused only on how fast you can start or how many patients you can see, that’s a red flag (we’ll get to those in a minute). But if they ask about your goals and talk about training, mentorship, or promotion opportunities—that’s a place where you can grow.
What to ask:
“What does success look like in this role 6 months in?”
“Is there a path for leadership, mentorship, or specialization?”
✅ Green Flag 5: Benefits and expectations are clear
You should never have to chase down basic info like:
- Pay range
- Weekend or on-call shifts
- PTO and holidays
- Documentation expectations
If they’re clear about what’s offered and what’s expected, you’re dealing with a professional, organized team—which usually translates to a better work experience.
✅ Green Flag 6: They ask thoughtful, job-relevant questions
A good interview isn’t a grilling. It’s a conversation. If they’re asking questions about your clinical style, how you approach patient care, or how you handle tough situations, they’re genuinely interested in how you’d fit—not just checking boxes.
Red flag within a green flag: If they only ask “how fast can you work?”—that tells you where their priorities are.
✅ Green Flag 7: You leave feeling heard and respected
This one is simple, but powerful. Did they listen when you talked? Did they seem interested in you, not just your license? If you leave the interview feeling good—not necessarily because it was easy, but because you were respected—that matters.
Your gut reaction isn’t always about nerves. Sometimes, it’s your best tool.
Now, for the flipside…
❌ Red Flag 1: They avoid your questions
If you ask about pay, culture, or workload and they dodge it—or get defensive—that’s a problem. Transparency goes both ways. You deserve straight answers.
Watch out for:
- “We’ll talk about that later”
- “It depends” (with no follow-up)
- “That’s not something we usually discuss”
❌ Red Flag 2: High turnover or burned-out staff
You won’t always hear this directly, but you can usually spot it. If the clinic or unit is constantly hiring, or if the people you meet seem exhausted, distracted, or disinterested—that’s a clue.
Ask:
“What’s made people stay in this role long-term?”
If they can’t answer… you’ve got your answer.
❌ Red Flag 3: They’re rushing to fill the role, fast
Need to start tomorrow? No time for orientation? Already behind on staffing? Be careful. Urgency is understandable—but when it turns into pressure, it often means the work environment is reactive, not supportive.
You don’t want to be set up to fail. Even if you’re qualified, you deserve a proper onboarding and a chance to succeed.
Final Take
Getting the job is great. Getting the right job is better.
Pay and location matter—but so do people, leadership, and culture. If you see green flags, that’s a good sign you’re walking into a supportive, professional environment. If red flags pop up? Trust your instincts and ask more questions.
And remember: you don’t have to figure it out alone. At MedHires, we advocate for you before, during, and after the interview process. We know what to ask, what to look for, and what a great fit actually looks like—because we talk to both sides every day.
If you’re interviewing now and want a second opinion, reach out. We’ll give you the inside scoop—and help you feel confident walking into that next opportunity.