7 employment red flags you need to be aware of

There is no other joy better than that of finding your perfect job after a grueling job search. No matter how enticing the new job offer is, you must keep an open mind to spot any employment red flags. These are the indications that there is something wrong with the job or the company, which will affect you harmfully in the future.

Vague Job Description

If the job description of the new role is too vague and seems to have a broad scope, it could be an employment red flag. If the employer has not taken the time to define specific details of the job you will be doing, your responsibilities, or the qualifications you must have, it is a clear indication that the company is not properly organized. Also, the lack of specifics may mean that the employer is not quite forthcoming with details about your new role.

Poor Communication

Pay attention to the level of communication you receive from the company through the hiring process. Are there long absences where you begin to wonder whether you are still even in the running for the position? Or does the employer ensure that you are informed of what is happening at each stage of the hiring process? If there is a lack of communication during the hiring process, it shows that there will be communication problems for you down the road as an employee there.

Unrealistic Promises

Generally, you should not trust an employer that makes too many promises from the get-go. If the employer guarantees a certain salary or a promotion within a given timeframe on the very first day you discuss the job offer, they are probably trying to lure you in with unrealistic promises. Trust your gut feelings when deciding this. If a job seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Pressure to Accept

While it is normal for employers to try and entice talented professionals to join their company, it isn’t normal to pressurize the person into accepting a job offer. If your new employer wants you to accept the job offer on the spot, without even leaving you room to ponder your decision, it is a major employment red flag. You must always take time and carefully consider any job offer before accepting it. If the employer is not willing to offer you that courtesy, it could indicate a serious lack of respect for your boundaries.

High Turnover

Do your research on the employer. Do they seem to be losing more people than they hire during a year? Then, your potential employer has a high turnover rate. When there is a large number of employees fleeing a company, you must always ask why. It could be due to problems with the management, a toxic work environment, or any other issue. Companies with high turnover rates are notorious for not investing in the growth and development of their employees.

Negative Online Reviews

One good thing about this digital age is that you can find almost any information you want online. Want to know what previous employees thought about your new employer? Simple, just hop on to the company’s Glassdoor or Indeed and see what people have said there. If there are multiple bad reviews from previous employees, you are looking at a problem more serious than sour grapes. Notice what the employees have said about the management, pay, benefits, or the work-life balance.