It is a red flag? Should I go ahead?

[Liveafr]

Currently job hunting. Last wednesday I saw a job ad that is right for me, I applied straight away. The hiring manager sent me an email the next day (thursday) to ask me where I'm located/when I'm available (the job is mostly remote). I reply later on to suggest a zoom meeting first (as he's located far away from the city of the main office where I live) and say I'm available on mondays and wednesday (the days I work form home). No reply on friday and monday morning. Then monday at 2:40pm he asks me if I'm available that afternoon for an interview. I was slightly annoyed that it was short notice, but replied I was available 4pm to 5pm (so that I could have a bit of time to prepare). Then he replies that he's waiting for an intervention from IT tech and not sure he's available, then asks me to suggest slots, to which I reply next wednesday 10-12, etc... then he sends me an email to confirm "next wednesday" 10:30am, and says he will send me a zoom link right before the interview (why not straight away, it takes 10 seconds to create a zoom meeting). This morning at 10:30, still nothing so I send a polite email asking if the interview is still on or if he wants to reschedule. He then answers me that he noted the interview for wednesday 20th september (in his email he only said "next wednesday"). All of that screams to me a very disorganised manager (few thing I learned early on is to be very clear on dates and places for meetings, and send invites early, so that there is no ambiguity or misunderstanding). My experience of working with a very disorganised manager is not a great one, I ended up being his personnal assistant (on top of my regular job), as it was too stressful otherwise. Should I go ahead with the interview? What would you do? My DP told me to go ahead, even if just to practice having interviews again, to be more assured for the next one.
The manager also asked me if I'm ok with the "frequent travels" mentionned in the job ad. The thing is I've got a 7-months old baby, so it really depends on what is meant exactly by "frequent travel" (how often? where? How much notice will I have?)
I have to say I'm unhappy in my job, and my contract ends in 3.5 months anyway, so I can't be too picky, I'm scared to find myself unemployed in january.
Any thoughts?

Sounds awful

I’m guessing a small family run business?

You have nothing to lose on going to the interview though

I would go ahead, if anything jt ll give great practise

also you might change your mind once you talk to him ; the travel time could be minimal

good luck

Thanks, both of you, I'll go ahead with the interview and ask more details about the travels.

But why would you go for a job that's telling you in advance there'll be frequent travelling, when you have such a young baby?

The manager also asked me if I'm ok with the "frequent travels" mentionned in the job ad.

and what was your answer?

I said I needed more details about what is meant by "frequent travels". Is it weekly? monthly? Is it one day or more?

Several reasons:

• In case the travel is actually not that much
• In case they like me and want to offer an alternative position with less travel (you never know)
• In case they like me, can't offer me the position because of the travels but know someone else who is hiring and pass my CV (it happened to me once)
• If all fails, to practice my interviewing skills and get used to interviewing again

In the past I used to do the hiring and I've seen managers either accomodate requests from candidates they really liked, or offer alternative positions, or pass the CV to other managers who were hiring. That's why I think it never hurts to apply, you never know. Of course I wasn't going to accept a commitment I couldn't keep :)

And…

what was his response?

Is this a small company?

Still no response.
Yes it's a very small organization.
Anyway I have an interview for another job tomorrow!