Applying for jobs online is an arduous, time-consuming process. Even more time-consuming is chasing down a job offer that ends up being nothing but a waste of time, effort or money. While you can’t always spot danger, recognizing these 7 red flags in job postings to watch out for will help you avoid trouble.
Watch Out for These 7 Red Flags in Job Postings
1. Vague Job Descriptions
Be wary of job postings that are unclear about the actual position itself. This can include contradictory language in the title itself – such as “Entry-Level IT Manager.” If the description of the job fails to lay out specific duties, this can also be a warning sign. Conversely, a job description that lays out a huge variety of duties could point to a company trying to hire a “multi-purpose” position. A short job posting isn’t automatically a red flag, as long as the information in the post explains what the position is clearly.
2. “Earning Potential” Instead of a Specific Salary or Range
A job listing that doesn’t include a salary isn’t a red flag, but a posting that repeatedly states the job offers “unlimited earning potential” or suggests that a low salary will be supplemented by bonuses is a massive red flag. Additionally, if you apply for a job and the hiring manager is cagey about answering direct salary questions, that’s a sign to walk away. If a job salary relies heavily on commission, be sure to ask the hiring manager how many employees currently receive commission and what the metrics are. If they can’t give you a straight answer, you should apply elsewhere.
3. Job Requires Long Periods of Unpaid Training
This red flag usually comes up during the interview process, but some job listings will be upfront that the job requires unpaid training. It’s important to find out exactly how long the unpaid training is expected to last. Some unscrupulous companies will use unpaid training as a ruse for free labor.
4. The Job Seems Too Good to be True
If you read through a job posting and think, Wow, this sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Is there a crazy high salary for the position? Are they immediately saying you’re hired and asking for your SSN and/or driver’s license after a 15-minute phone call interview? Cover your bases by searching for the company or staffing agency online, finding their website, looking them up on Glassdoor, etc. Oftentimes, you’ll find that the too-good offers are people trying to steal your information or people simply don’t want to work for the company or recruitment agency for various reasons. Either way, it’s important to tread with caution and research before rushing in.
5. No Qualifications Listed
Job postings that don’t include any specific qualifications can also be a red flag. No qualifications, no desired skills and no required education are all extremely suspicious. Even job postings for non-specialized positions will still list out requirements. If the job seems like it’s taking anyone who will apply, that can be a warning sign for a scam or multilevel marketing scheme.
6. Inconsistent Responses
Professional courtesy is responding consistently to candidates and keeping them updated throughout the process. If the company you applied for is taking weeks or months to get back to you without informing you of the timing or potential hiccups, that’s not a great sign. Chances are, they’ve already picked someone else and they are dragging you along for a backup choice in case the first candidate (or few) doesn’t work out. If a company expresses enthusiasm for you during the interview and has positive feedback, expect to get consistent responses from them that match.
7. Asking for Personal Information Too Early
Companies don’t ask for personal information like your ID or SSN immediately. Until you’ve finished interviews and you’re told you have the job, no one should be asking for either of these. If someone is immediately asking for this information in an email or phone call before you’ve gone through the interviewing and hiring process, that’s usually a bad sign. If they seem extra persistent after you say you’re not comfortable with it, that’s an even brighter red flag.
Why a Job Recruiter Keeps You Safe
Working with an experienced recruiter like Strom Minnesota can help you avoid a lot of these red flags. A recruiter will vet every single employer that uses their service, ensuring that you’re only applying to reputable businesses. On top of that, staffing companies often work with the same companies, so we know the best ones and keep them at the top of our list.
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Strom Minnesota is an engineering and technical recruitment agency that specializes in high-skilled job candidates for highly technical positions. We facilitate contract employment, project staffing, temp-to-perm and direct hire opportunities. Industries served include IT, engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and manufacturing. We are affiliated with Strom Engineering, a national staffing and recruitment agency.
Strom Minnesota is an engineering and technical recruitment agency that specializes in high-skilled job candidates for highly technical positions. We facilitate contract employment, project staffing, temp-to-perm and direct hire opportunities. Industries served include IT, engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and manufacturing. We are affiliated with Strom Engineering, a national staffing and recruitment agency.
