5 red flags of companies: signs to pay attention to when choosing an employer.
If you have ever prepared for a job interview, you have probably come across numerous articles online with recommendations on how to successfully pass an interview, impress the employer, what not to do or say during the interview, and so on. However, job seekers also make choices when it comes to selecting a particular company. They carefully choose a company that suits them just as employers choose employees. However, not everyone can recognize red flags when choosing companies in a timely manner.
An interview for a job is the first introduction to the company’s culture and an excellent opportunity to find out how comfortable it will be for you to work there, whether the company will take care of you, and whether the manager is suitable for you if you have already had an interview with them. After all, the way company employees treat you during the interview is indicative of how they will treat you at work in the future.
Let’s consider the most common signs to pay attention to when choosing an employer. After all, they can be indicators of serious problems or unacceptable working conditions.
#1 Attitude. The first interview in a company can tell you a lot about it. Aggressive behavior, toxicity from the interviewer, violation of your personal boundaries, and tactless questions. Dismissive, arrogant, or disrespectful attitude is the first and foremost red flag of a company to pay attention to. After all, this may be a sign of a toxic corporate culture and a corresponding attitude towards its employees. Think about whether it is worth continuing to consider this company for employment and whether you will feel comfortable working with such an employer and corporate culture in the future. After all, such behavior is bound to repeat itself.
#2 Too quick of an offer. Certainly, you may be an outstanding professional whom many companies are eager to hire immediately to secure valuable talent. There are exceptions to all rules. However, more often than not, a serious, self-respecting company will take a pause to make a decision, choose among several potential candidates, and coordinate the job offer with line managers. Therefore, an offer made during the first interview may indicate high employee turnover or other unacceptable working conditions that prompt the employer to rush to fill the vacancy. Moreover, such an approach does not give you the opportunity to carefully consider the job offer and make an informed decision. Especially if the interviewer insists on you giving an answer as soon as possible.
#3 Lack of clear information about salary. If during the interview or phone interview you receive a vague answer, such as that the level of payment depends on your efforts or consists only of commissions/bonuses/KPIs with a minimum rate below the subsistence level, it is definitely worth considering. Perhaps they are not ready to provide an adequate level of compensation, while the requirements may be high. Additionally, if the company offers disproportionately low wages or benefits compared to market standards for similar positions, this may be a sign of insufficient value that the company places on its employees.
#4 Interviewer’s unpreparedness. Pay attention to such an inconspicuous, at first glance, fact as the interviewer’s preparedness for the meeting with you. Surely, when preparing for an interview with a company, you do your research: browse the website, inquire about the activities and achievements of the company, prepare to answer various questions. This indicates your responsible approach to finding an employer. Therefore, the interviewer’s preparedness for the interview is as much a marker of politeness and respect for you as a candidate. Do they come to meet you on time? Have they reviewed your resume in advance or are they frantically searching for it among a pile of papers? Are they ready with questions about your work experience in advance, or do they come up with them on the fly? Remember that a good employer will always find time to talk to you on various topics during the interview and give you attention.
#5 Employer brand reviews. This is an important factor in choosing a place of work, as reviews about the company can reflect its reputation among employees, clients, and partners. They can also give an idea of what to expect from working in this organization. Therefore, before making a final decision to accept a job offer, it is important to pay attention to reviews about the employer brand to avoid possible problems or unpleasantness in the future.
In particular, attention should be paid to:
- Negative employee reviews, which may indicate problems in corporate culture, management, or working conditions;
- Lack of reviews or information concealment raises questions about the transparency and honesty of the company;
- High employee turnover rates may be a sign of problems in management, working conditions, or corporate culture;
- Negative customer or partner reviews may also indicate poor product or service quality, customer service, or business relationships;
- Non-transparent and dishonest business practices can be a serious red flag, indicating potential issues in the company’s ethics and principles.
When choosing an employer, it is important to be attentive to various signs that may indicate problems or shortcomings in the company. This will help avoid unpleasant situations and find an employer that aligns with your values, expectations, and career goals
