Interview—Or Trap?

Excerpt from Chapter 8: The Red Flag Parade

 Wouldn’t it be handy if interviews came with hazard warnings? “Welcome to your interview—please note, this role comes with a micromanaging VP, a gossip-laden breakroom, and a performance review system based on who the CEO had lunch with that week.” But of course, they don’t. And the more dysfunctional the culture, the more polished the sales pitch. Everyone’s on their best behaviour. The coffee’s hot. The chairs are ergonomic. The mood is upbeat. It’s corporate cosplay at its finest.

Not every interview is what it appears to be.

Interview—Or Trap? explores the less predictable side of the hiring process—the moments where conversations shift, expectations blur, and candidates are left trying to make sense of what just unfolded.

Drawing on real experiences, this book looks at interviews that went well, those that didn’t, and those that crossed into something more confronting. Along the way, it offers perspective on how to recognise the difference—and how to respond when things take an unexpected turn. Inside, you’ll find:

• Real interview scenarios that reveal how situations can shift under pressure
• Insight into what different interview behaviours may signal
• Ways to steady yourself when a conversation becomes difficult or unclear
• Practical responses for navigating moments that catch you off guard

This is not about rehearsed answers or polished scripts.
It’s about understanding the dynamics of the room—and maintaining your footing within it.

Because sometimes the most important question isn’t how to perform in an interview…
It’s whether the interview itself is worth stepping into.