AI Interview Red Flags:
Warning Signs to Watch For

Interviews are two-way evaluations.
Learn to spot warning signs that predict toxic teams, unrealistic expectations, or doomed projects.

AI Native Engineer Community Access

Bad AI Jobs Exist.
Learn to Spot Them Early.

You're so focused on getting an offer that you miss signs of a problematic workplace.

The job description sounds great but you're not sure if the reality will match.

You can't tell if the team is healthy or if you're walking into dysfunction.

Evaluate Companies, Not Just Offers

The AI Career Accelerator

The interview process reveals a lot about company culture. Pay attention to how people communicate, what questions they ask (and avoid), and how they describe the role.

1

Watch the Process

Disorganized interviews often signal disorganized teams

2

Listen to Language

How they describe challenges, failures, and team dynamics reveals culture

3

Ask Direct Questions

Why is this role open? What happened to previous AI projects?

4

Trust Your Gut

If something feels off during interviews, it's probably worse inside

Meet Your Mentor

Zen van Riel

When I started in tech, I was based in the Netherlands with no connections and only thousands of video game hours under my belt. Not exactly the ideal starting point.

My first tech job was software tester. One of the most junior roles you can start with. I was just happy someone took a chance on me.

I kept learning. Kept pivoting. But what actually accelerated my career wasn't more certifications or more code. It was learning to solve problems that matter and proving beyond a doubt that what I built solved real problems. That's the skill that stays future-proof, even with AI.

I've since worked remotely for international software companies throughout my career. Proof that the high-paid remote path is possible for anyone with the right skills and motivation. In the end, I went from a $500/month internship to 6 figures as a Senior AI Engineer at GitHub.

Now I teach over 22,000 engineers on YouTube. Becoming an AI-Native Engineer is a system I lived through and offer to you today.

Career progression from Intern to Senior Engineer

Real Results

Vittor

Vittor

AI Engineer

Landed his first AI Engineering role in 3 months

"The coaching played a huge part in my success. I focused on AI fundamentals, the certification path, and soft skills like professional writing. Having access to expert guidance gave me confidence during interviews and helped me feel I was on the right path.

I built my own platform (simple but functional) and deployed it on AWS. I used it in my portfolio and showcased it during interviews. The way complex topics were explained, especially the restaurant analogy for AI systems, really stuck with me. Focusing on doing the basics well was absolutely essential."

What You Will Get

Personalized Roadmap & Career Strategy

A custom plan tailored to your background, goals, and timeline. No generic advice.

Weekly 1:1 Coaching Calls

Direct access to Zen for guidance, project feedback, and answers to your questions.

Portfolio-Ready AI Projects

Build production-grade AI applications to showcase to employers. Work that gets you hired.

Interview Prep & Mock Interviews

Practice technical and behavioral interviews. Learn what hiring managers look for.

Resume & LinkedIn Optimization

Transform your online presence to attract recruiters. Stand out from other applicants.

Community Career Support

Join the AI Native Engineer community. Not seeing results yet? You stay and keep going. We're with you through the ups and downs.

Limited Availability

A Bad AI Job Sets Your Career Back. Choose Carefully.

Every month you delay can cost you thousands in lost earning potential. While you're watching tutorials, others are landing $120K+ AI Engineering roles.

I can only work with a limited number of 1:1 clients at a time to ensure you get the personalized attention you deserve.

$120K+
Average AI Engineer Salary
Source: levels.fyi
90 Days
To Guaranteed Interviews
20%+
Higher Pay Than Traditional Devs

Frequently Asked Questions

What interview process red flags should I watch for?

Warning signs: (1) Disorganized scheduling with constant reschedules, (2) Interviewers who haven't read your resume, (3) No clear interview structure or expectations, (4) Very fast process with no technical evaluation, (5) Pressure to decide immediately without time to think, (6) Ghosting between rounds. A messy interview process usually reflects a messy organization.

What technical red flags appear in AI interviews?

Watch for: (1) Vague AI goals like 'we want to add AI' without specific use cases, (2) No data infrastructure but expecting ML results, (3) Unrealistic timelines for AI projects, (4) No one technical in the interview process, (5) Buzzword-heavy descriptions with no substance, (6) Claims of 'AI-first' but no AI engineers on staff. These often indicate AI theater, not real AI work.

What culture red flags emerge during AI interviews?

Warning signs: (1) Negative talk about former employees or competitors, (2) Evasive answers about why the role is open, (3) Interviewers seem burned out or unhappy, (4) No questions about your preferences or growth, (5) High turnover mentioned casually, (6) 'We work hard and play hard' (often means just work hard). Pay attention to energy and how people interact.

What job expectation red flags should I identify?

Watch for: (1) Extremely broad role covering AI, ML, data engineering, and DevOps, (2) No clear success metrics or goals, (3) 'Wearing many hats' as a primary selling point, (4) Salary significantly below market without equity or other compensation, (5) 'Fast-paced' repeated constantly (often means chaotic), (6) Unlimited PTO paired with intense work culture (often means no PTO).

What questions reveal red flags in AI interviews?

Ask: (1) Why is this role open? (reveals turnover), (2) What happened to your last AI project? (reveals reality), (3) How is AI team success measured? (reveals clarity), (4) What's the biggest challenge facing this team? (reveals problems), (5) Can I speak with someone who recently joined? (reveals transparency). Evasive or negative answers to these questions are informative.

Should I be more flexible about red flags as a junior AI engineer?

Some flexibility is reasonable—first jobs are learning experiences. But avoid: toxic cultures, unrealistic expectations, or no opportunity to learn real AI skills. A slightly lower salary at a healthy company beats higher pay at a dysfunctional one. Your first AI job shapes your career trajectory. It's worth waiting for a decent opportunity.

How much time do I need to commit?

Most clients invest 10-15 hours per week, but this can be flexible based on your schedule. We'll have weekly 1:1 calls plus time for you to work on projects and learning. The key is consistency. Regular, focused effort beats occasional marathons.

What if I don't land interviews in 90 days?

You become a member of the AI Native Engineer community, and you stay and keep going. Career transitions take different amounts of time for everyone, and I'm not going to abandon you if things take longer. You get ongoing support through good times and bad.

How is this different from online courses?

Online courses give you content. 1:1 coaching gives you a personalized roadmap, direct feedback on your work, career strategy, interview prep, and accountability. You get answers to your specific questions and guidance tailored to your unique situation instead of generic advice meant for everyone.

What's the investment for 1:1 coaching?

Investment details are discussed during the 30-minute strategy call, where we'll assess your goals and create a custom plan. The program is designed to pay for itself quickly through your increased salary. Most AI engineers see a 20-50% pay increase.

Can I do this while working full-time?

Absolutely. Most of my clients work full-time and make steady progress. We'll schedule calls at times that work for you and create a realistic plan that fits your schedule. Consistency matters more than intensity.

Ready to Land Your AI Role?

Stop watching others succeed. Start building your AI career today.

30-minute strategy call • Limited spots available