Tech exec reveals one thing that's an 'absolute' red flag in interviews

Interviews are always tough, regardless of how confident you are heading into them, but this tech CFO has some advice for what absolutely not to do when you go for your next job.

While big names in technology have used the same abstract questions to pick out key candidates, and others have employed tricks like the 'coffee cup test' or a three second brain teaser, you never really know what you're going to get going into your next interview.

It doesn't matter whether you have all the skills and experience required, a poor interview can often cost you the the position as it's your way of making your mark on a potential employer.

Conversely though, a great interview can more than make up for any deficiencies in your background, and this tip from Vimeo CFO Gillian Munson could be your secret to landing the opportunity of your dreams.

Gillian Munson argues this 'red flag' might cost you your next job (Cody Glenn/Sportsfile for Web Summit via Getty Images)

As revealed in an interview with CNBC Make It, Munson argues that the biggest interview 'red flag' is when candidates fail to listen to the question, and in turn answer with an inappropriate response.

"Sometimes folks are in such a hurry to get through the conversation that they don’t carefully listen to the question and answer it," she details.

It's no surprise that this would be an issue for any potential employer, as it shows that you're unable to focus on the task at hand and also that you're not a very keen listener.

Oftentimes employers will even throw in questions that test these skills, often hiding the real question in plain sight to see if the candidate is listening intently enough to spot it and answer effectively.

Listening intently could be the key to your next big job (Heidi Gutman/CNBC/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

One question like this than Munson likes to ask is why the candidate chose the school that they attended or one of their previous places of employment.

She argues that these answers help illuminate your decision making, which "ultimately gets reflected in how you work every day."

She also values authenticity in an interview candidates answers, looking for prospective employees who are transparent about where they can improve.

This, supposedly, allows candidates to "connect to the interviewer in a way that helps them understand whether you are a fit [for the job] or not."

These are all definitely things to take into consideration before you head into your next job interview, as it's often small actions that form a part of a larger response that really allow you to take that next step above other candidates.

So, next time you're in the hot seat, desperate to land your next big role, try and listen to exactly what you're being asked - there could be a way in for you to show your real true worth.