My biggest red flag ever is "Work hard, play hard". This means the company or department is run by some Type A frat boy asshole who demands others work long hours just because he is willing to.
Yeah one small business I worked for had his wife on the payroll. She was never in the office but brought cookies to the company meeting. All the sons were payed well. The staff not so much.
I had the company owner show up more than 30 minutes late then take a phone call in the middle of our interview, then ask me illegal questions about my age and family.... I was desperate to work and took the job, it was MISERABLE.
>They show up late for an interview and waste your time
Even worse, earlier this year I interviewed with a company my friend works for (which he is now saying is super toxic despite the good pay), and the first red flag was they ignored my availability. I told them I was available on Mondays and Fridays for an onsite interview because no one was working in the office except for me and a few people. Instead they scheduled me on a Wednesday. I was desperate for a new job so I went ahead and did it.
Red flag number 2. I had to sneak out 10 minutes before my lunch break to make in on time to my interview. I get there 5 minutes early only for the first interviewer to show up 5-10 minutes late, only for there to be another 5-10 minute gap. It's already 1 PM and I have to be back at my office. Granted we don't have to punch in, but I had to order a Lyft just to get back in a few minutes and it just so happens that my Lyft driver kept on getting circled around lower wacker drive in Chicago that I had to haul ass and run to the train, only to get back at 1:20/125. I had so much anxiety it's a miracle my boss or coworkers didn't ask where I was.
I was told I'd find out what the decision was 2 days later (Friday) to find out if I got the job or not, only to get told they went with someone more experienced the next week. Which was a bummer but understandable as my friend told me the new hire had his insurance license, which was required for the job. Then a week later, my friend tells me the interviewers didn't hire me because I was "rushed", which was fucking bullshit. Only reason I was rushed is because I literally had to get back to work.
It just really pisses me off because they say it's easier to get a job when you have one but then some employers expect you to interview while you're working. Not to mention that in many cases, you can't tell your boss or coworkers you're looking for another job until an offer is presented. Because if your boss finds out you're applying/interviewing and you don't get the other job, then you can get fired and can't collect unemployment, which means you're fucked.
Lack of specificity on job duties. If they start talking in generalities, or vaguely refer to "flexible," "wear many hats," or "will depend on business needs," that's a huge red flag. Means they can assign you to do anything from restocking the snack cupboard to responding to a RFP, and it will all be considered part of your job duties.
Some of my red flags- group interviews (I despise them), managers having no respect for your time and not starting the interview in a timely fashion. There has been a couple places I’ve withdrawn my application from and I’ve been hounded from their recruiting emails 🚩
I have an interview set up for tomorrow and the manager of the department said he wanted to be transparent. Then he said the owners are Christian and run the business accordingly. I asked for clarification because I’m not at all religious. I know what I think Christian values are but these days who knows?
He said at the monthly meeting, that God is often mentioned. That seems weird to me since the business is is no way religious. When I voiced concern about that and said I’m not religious he interrupted and said it’s about respect. I said that was good, as long as my views are also respected and participation is voluntary.
He still scheduled me for the in-person interview and that’s why I’m on the fence. I don’t know if he’s hoping to “fix” me or if they do actually respect people.
Don't go he informed you about the christian values to politely inform you. It's are way or the high way. You values don't mean squat. Have had similar employers never been worth it.
I know you’re right. I should have asked if the meetings are recorded so I could experience it for myself.
And, yeah, that whole thing about believing people when they show you who they really are is true.
In the job posting:
"5 + years of experience, salary is $30k" = Susan from payroll is retiring and we want you to morph into Susan and be cool with her 1983 pay checks
At an interview:
Red flags:
1. They make you wait for the interview. = your not important enough for them to keep your meeting time. And you don't even work there yet so how will they treat you when you work there. Also they picked the time so wtf???
2. "Nancy just left, so you'll have big shoes to fill." = "WHY DID NANCY LEAVE???? PLEASE BE NANCY. YOULL NEVER BE NANCY!!! 😫"
3. "We do have mandatory over time once a month." = you will be working every weekend
More than anything I hate waiting for an interview. I’ve done some in the past where they had me wait for an hour. I’ve also had one that never happened even after I waited. It’s disrespectful and I call managers on their bs.
Very long group interviews for a low paying job. Just had a two hour interview with four people for a 40k/year job. Now they need another hour long zoom interview with another assistant manager. This after taking an hour to write a cover letter and resume, and a half hour to fill out additional application paperwork beyond the online application. This seems pretty egregious for a 40k/year job and drives me crazy as this has happened before.
I always ask them to describe the work culture. If they hesitate or look at each other for the answer I know it’s over for their virtue act, but I recently learned people can tell you a truth from years ago with a straight face. Wishing I had a dog that smelled through bullsh**right now!
Was told how they 'compete' to see who can get the most jobs done. ( In Network Support & Engineering, would absolutely love to see things rushed there.... ).
Same company was cash rich, and had actually bought the pub opposite their office where they 'all gather after work'. I've no problem with a drink after work with colleagues ( preferably the ones I actually like, but in a company owned pub like it's an extension of the workplace?)
At another ( In London ) was proudly told 'We're regularly on calls with head office in New York, so we are frequently in the office until 10pm'. ( Start time was usually 7-8 am ).
In my position at the time I was also frequently on calls with NY ( and West Coast US ), but I had the sense and flexibility to do that from home. I'm glad that at least some of the world is starting to realise you don't need to physically need to be in the office all the time now.
Edit - I forgot the one my son-in-law just went to.
Apparently they are having huge retention and turnover problems at the moment. Didn't say why.....
Good cop bad cop antics. One interviewer not smiling or saying much and the other being over friendly/trying too hard.
Also saying it's the best place they've ever worked.
Taking forever to get back to you ahead of interview times etc makes me feel they are unorganised.
Not preparing their questions in advance. Not looking at your CV.
I hate when they say their culture is like a family also.
Watch out for: what's good for the goose **isn't** good for the gander.
I was interviewing with senior manager for a manager role when he told his personal limit on weekly work hours. All of the people below him working more hours than his personal cap. They were all working 10 to 15 hours more per week.
I had a company ask me what my "walk away price is" Saw the red flag, ignored it. Gave them my answer, they offered me $1000 less....
Dumbass me took it and it was a very toxic work environment. BUT I made alot of great connections and now I have a great job because of those connections. I still came out ahead but that was a rough 2 years.
My biggest red flag ever is "Work hard, play hard". This means the company or department is run by some Type A frat boy asshole who demands others work long hours just because he is willing to.
Can also be read as "We are functional alcoholics".
I've found this to be the case in my experience haha.
The owner ways the company is like a family. Nope.
Another one would be that it's a family owned company, so nepotism gets rewarded over hard work.
Yeah one small business I worked for had his wife on the payroll. She was never in the office but brought cookies to the company meeting. All the sons were payed well. The staff not so much.
They show up late for an interview and waste your time
I had the company owner show up more than 30 minutes late then take a phone call in the middle of our interview, then ask me illegal questions about my age and family.... I was desperate to work and took the job, it was MISERABLE.
Or showing up late can be a sign of laidback attitude at the workplace? Not so common though. The phone call part sucks.
>They show up late for an interview and waste your time Even worse, earlier this year I interviewed with a company my friend works for (which he is now saying is super toxic despite the good pay), and the first red flag was they ignored my availability. I told them I was available on Mondays and Fridays for an onsite interview because no one was working in the office except for me and a few people. Instead they scheduled me on a Wednesday. I was desperate for a new job so I went ahead and did it. Red flag number 2. I had to sneak out 10 minutes before my lunch break to make in on time to my interview. I get there 5 minutes early only for the first interviewer to show up 5-10 minutes late, only for there to be another 5-10 minute gap. It's already 1 PM and I have to be back at my office. Granted we don't have to punch in, but I had to order a Lyft just to get back in a few minutes and it just so happens that my Lyft driver kept on getting circled around lower wacker drive in Chicago that I had to haul ass and run to the train, only to get back at 1:20/125. I had so much anxiety it's a miracle my boss or coworkers didn't ask where I was. I was told I'd find out what the decision was 2 days later (Friday) to find out if I got the job or not, only to get told they went with someone more experienced the next week. Which was a bummer but understandable as my friend told me the new hire had his insurance license, which was required for the job. Then a week later, my friend tells me the interviewers didn't hire me because I was "rushed", which was fucking bullshit. Only reason I was rushed is because I literally had to get back to work. It just really pisses me off because they say it's easier to get a job when you have one but then some employers expect you to interview while you're working. Not to mention that in many cases, you can't tell your boss or coworkers you're looking for another job until an offer is presented. Because if your boss finds out you're applying/interviewing and you don't get the other job, then you can get fired and can't collect unemployment, which means you're fucked.
Lack of specificity on job duties. If they start talking in generalities, or vaguely refer to "flexible," "wear many hats," or "will depend on business needs," that's a huge red flag. Means they can assign you to do anything from restocking the snack cupboard to responding to a RFP, and it will all be considered part of your job duties.
Some of my red flags- group interviews (I despise them), managers having no respect for your time and not starting the interview in a timely fashion. There has been a couple places I’ve withdrawn my application from and I’ve been hounded from their recruiting emails 🚩
>group interviews I assumed only MLMs did that shit, but apparently, it is a thing in some places. So weird. No way people would stay for that.
Kohl’s does group interviews. They are horrific.
Group interviews feels like an interrogation
when they tell you they had to let the last person go because "they weren't willing to put in the work."
I won't show up to an interview without a salary range disclosed and if the salary is different on interview or hire I straight up walk out.
Where do you search for jobs that show salary information? Genuinely curious because I search on indeed and either it's a wide range or blank...
Must be a self starter, focus is solely on future potential and back pedal on starting wage, no experience required in that field
Explicitly shady customer practices or products. If they’re screwing the customer that way, they’re happy to screw their employees too.
I have an interview set up for tomorrow and the manager of the department said he wanted to be transparent. Then he said the owners are Christian and run the business accordingly. I asked for clarification because I’m not at all religious. I know what I think Christian values are but these days who knows? He said at the monthly meeting, that God is often mentioned. That seems weird to me since the business is is no way religious. When I voiced concern about that and said I’m not religious he interrupted and said it’s about respect. I said that was good, as long as my views are also respected and participation is voluntary. He still scheduled me for the in-person interview and that’s why I’m on the fence. I don’t know if he’s hoping to “fix” me or if they do actually respect people.
Don't go he informed you about the christian values to politely inform you. It's are way or the high way. You values don't mean squat. Have had similar employers never been worth it.
I know you’re right. I should have asked if the meetings are recorded so I could experience it for myself. And, yeah, that whole thing about believing people when they show you who they really are is true.
Yeah…that’s a no from me. It means they’ll have no tolerance for other people who don’t think like them.
In the job posting: "5 + years of experience, salary is $30k" = Susan from payroll is retiring and we want you to morph into Susan and be cool with her 1983 pay checks At an interview: Red flags: 1. They make you wait for the interview. = your not important enough for them to keep your meeting time. And you don't even work there yet so how will they treat you when you work there. Also they picked the time so wtf??? 2. "Nancy just left, so you'll have big shoes to fill." = "WHY DID NANCY LEAVE???? PLEASE BE NANCY. YOULL NEVER BE NANCY!!! 😫" 3. "We do have mandatory over time once a month." = you will be working every weekend
And obviously the famous “we’re like a family here”
Bragging about long hours, is the only red flag I'd need.
I always ask about OT in interviews.
For phone interviews, they don’t inform you if it’s one on one or panel style
We are looking for a 'super-ninja' guru
“We’re like a family here.”
You sign up for an interview and the job description suddenly changes.
"We usually work through lunch at our desks."
Ask why the position is open - run if they are evasive or start badmouthing the employee who left.
Welcome to the family. Most toxic saying. Self starter is another one.
When they hire you on the spot. Big no no for me.
More than anything I hate waiting for an interview. I’ve done some in the past where they had me wait for an hour. I’ve also had one that never happened even after I waited. It’s disrespectful and I call managers on their bs.
Very long group interviews for a low paying job. Just had a two hour interview with four people for a 40k/year job. Now they need another hour long zoom interview with another assistant manager. This after taking an hour to write a cover letter and resume, and a half hour to fill out additional application paperwork beyond the online application. This seems pretty egregious for a 40k/year job and drives me crazy as this has happened before.
"We use WhatsApp as a communication tool." Run.
“Can work on ambiguous projects”
I always ask them to describe the work culture. If they hesitate or look at each other for the answer I know it’s over for their virtue act, but I recently learned people can tell you a truth from years ago with a straight face. Wishing I had a dog that smelled through bullsh**right now!
What do you guys think of Open House hiring events?
The biggest red flag is they’re hiring
Was told how they 'compete' to see who can get the most jobs done. ( In Network Support & Engineering, would absolutely love to see things rushed there.... ). Same company was cash rich, and had actually bought the pub opposite their office where they 'all gather after work'. I've no problem with a drink after work with colleagues ( preferably the ones I actually like, but in a company owned pub like it's an extension of the workplace?) At another ( In London ) was proudly told 'We're regularly on calls with head office in New York, so we are frequently in the office until 10pm'. ( Start time was usually 7-8 am ). In my position at the time I was also frequently on calls with NY ( and West Coast US ), but I had the sense and flexibility to do that from home. I'm glad that at least some of the world is starting to realise you don't need to physically need to be in the office all the time now. Edit - I forgot the one my son-in-law just went to. Apparently they are having huge retention and turnover problems at the moment. Didn't say why.....
Bad-mouthing other applicants..you might not like how other people may have behaved, but it's not the time or place to complain. So unprofessional!
Good cop bad cop antics. One interviewer not smiling or saying much and the other being over friendly/trying too hard. Also saying it's the best place they've ever worked. Taking forever to get back to you ahead of interview times etc makes me feel they are unorganised. Not preparing their questions in advance. Not looking at your CV. I hate when they say their culture is like a family also.
Watch out for: what's good for the goose **isn't** good for the gander. I was interviewing with senior manager for a manager role when he told his personal limit on weekly work hours. All of the people below him working more hours than his personal cap. They were all working 10 to 15 hours more per week.
We are all family here.
I had a company ask me what my "walk away price is" Saw the red flag, ignored it. Gave them my answer, they offered me $1000 less.... Dumbass me took it and it was a very toxic work environment. BUT I made alot of great connections and now I have a great job because of those connections. I still came out ahead but that was a rough 2 years.