Red Flags Job Seekers Should Look Out For
“Red Flags” are warning signs that a person or situation might not be in your best interest.
As a job seeker, you have a lot of things to consider when it comes to accepting a new job offer. These include the pay, hours, working conditions, and more.
But sometimes knowing whether a job will be right for us isn’t so black and white.
In today’s article, we’ll explore some red flags that can warn us to reconsider working with a certain employer, to protect ourselves and our career.
Let’s take a look!
Vague Job Descriptions
If you don’t know what you’re signing up for — don’t sign up.
When looking at a job posting, ask yourself how clear of a picture they’re painting of the job. Is the job title understandable? Are the requirements laid out clearly? Can you imagine what a day on the job would look like?
Most job postings have some room for discussion, and it’s perfectly acceptable to discuss those uncertainties with your recruiter at an interview. Both you and the employer should want there to be a clear understanding of what you’re agreeing to before either of you agree on an employment contract. But if it feels like they aren’t doing that, or leaving anything unspoken, or even actively withholding certain important details, then you should hold off.
Before accepting any job, you should also expect a clear work contract that states exactly what is expected of both parties. That includes your rate of pay, schedule and flexibility, auxiliary benefits, and starting date. If you feel something discussed with the recruiter has not been included, such as accommodations, then be sure to speak up before you sign.
Not Respecting Confidentiality
Your application is between you and your potential employer.
Unless you specifically offer references with your express permission for your recruiter to reach out to them, they should not be calling around to investigate you.
Your information, such as your resume and any recordings of your interviews, should also be private. Sharing these with anyone besides the people responsible for hiring at their company is a huge red flag.
Unclear Application Process
Once you connect with a recruiter, they should be upfront about what you should expect from the recruitment process.
This includes giving you detailed information about when and where interviews will take place, and who will be present at your meetings, as well as timelines for follow ups.
It also means that they should not spring surprises on you part way through the process. For instance, suddenly asking you to perform a proficiency test. This denies you the time you need to prepare or to request appropriate accommodations if you have a disability or other consideration.
Even if the application process is not being made purposefully unclear, it can still be a red flag that the employer is very unorganized.
Requesting Personal Information
You have the right to bias-free consideration as a job candidate for any position.
This means that employers who enquire about factors that should not be weighed as part of their consideration are sending up red flags.
Asking about the following can be a sign of personal bias in the hiring process:
- Age
- Gender
- Sexual Orientation
- Religious Orientation
- Health Information
- Disability Status
- Race
- Ethnicity
In some cases, drug and alcohol testing can also be considered discriminatory.
Multi-Level Marketing Schemes
MLMs are a “too-good-to-be-true” type of job. But when we’re looking for work, sometimes we’re blind to just how dangerous certain opportunities can be.
MLMs are companies with a predatory business model. You may have heard of them referred to as “pyramid schemes”.
Their profits are dependent on their employees, not clients. So signing up for one can put you at risk of losing money instead of making a steady income.
Because of their predatory nature, they often try to hide the fact that they are an MLM in job postings and during the recruitment process. But you should be on the lookout for some of these signs that can give it away:
- Low-quality products or service
- No qualifications required for being hired
- High-pressure sales tactics
- Pushy recruiters
- No or low ratings with the Better Business Bureau
- Negative reviews from previous employees
- You have to spend money to get started
- Getting promoted requires hiring others
Stay safe, and keep an eye out for red flags that that new job opportunity might actually be an MLM.
Conclusion
Your rights as a job seeker and worker are protected by the Ministry of Labour and the Ontario Human Rights Commission. You have the right to a safe application process for any job.
If you want assistance with avoiding scam employers, and with securing a bias-free interview, then talk to META! We can help you vet job postings and advocate for you in your application process.
Belleville Location
Whitby Location
Contact META