Red flags to look out for before you take the job
International jobs portal Glassdoor has provided five of the most noteworthy red flags shown by employers when on a recruitment drive.
According to Fishbowl users – Glassdoor’s online community for professionals – it’s better to heed the warning signs and pass on an offer than wind up in an environment that makes you miserable.
According to Glassdoor, when the Great Resignation was at its peak, jobseekers were quick to spot some of the major turn-offs in job listings, including phrases like “must handle stress,” “fast-paced environment,” and “work under pressure.”
One of the most important red flags to acknowledge is a high turnover rate, said Gorick Ng, a career advisor at Harvard, such as people not staying longer than a year at the company.
Five notable red flags to look for are listed below.
Referring to coworkers as family
One of the most mentioned red flags by respondents was the use of the word ‘family’ to describe the team.
Some of the best places to work, such as Netflix (ranked 40th on Glassdoor’s 2023 Best Places To Work List), said that they do not use the term and instead model themselves in line with a sports team.
Conflating long hours with passion
Another phrase to be wary of: “We work long hours, not because we have to, but because we love what we do.”
Glassdoor said a job shouldn’t consume your life, and a good employer shouldn’t equate excessive hours with your love — or lack of love — for your work.
“If you are in a job where you are required to be constantly ‘on the clock’ whether you are vacationing, taking a sick day, or it’s just after hours, you may want to double-check how much time you’re putting in.”
Unwillingness to negotiate
It is important for a company, as part of the hiring process, to negotiate compensation.
If there is little willingness to do so, take notice. One respondent said a red flag is when a company says: “the experience is more important than the salary.”
Moreover, if a company is unwilling to share details of its benefits package, it may not be the place for you, said Glassdoor.
Asking irrelevant questions
Glassdoor said that questions that come up during an interview can tell you as much about the interviewer as your responses can tell them.
The jobs portal said that one respondent complained about an interviewer asking only superficial questions during an interview.
“I would hate working for someone who would take up my time asking me if I was a colour, what colour I would be and why. I prefer to work at a place that has well-thought-out performance/behaviour-type questions.”
Getting a job offer on the spot
Although it may be enticing, if a hiring manager offers you a job on the spot, they are probably too desperate, said Glassdoor.
“Similarily, if a company won’t let you consider a job offer overnight, you should be concerned about what the work environment would be like.”
Written with commentary from Glassdoor.com.
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