Welcome to WorkLife Wednesday, where we take a look into best-practice leadership methods to make your WorkLife awesome.

Good morning. I’m here today to empathize with my fellow job searchers. Job searching is tough for many reasons. Firstly, we put hours into developing our résumé, only to re-enter the information into a company’s ‘Workday’ career platform for every single application we send out. Secondly, we send out 100 job applications per day and get a recruiter’s attention 2% of the time. Thirdly (and certainly not least), companies require 5 years of experience for an entry-level position that pays $20k under our salary requirements.

I’m here to show solidarity, with you, and every other job searcher out there.

During my search for a new job, I’ve compiled a list of red flags to watch for. Take care of your future self by recognizing these red flags during your interview and job application process.

Word of advice: Always read a company’s Glassdoor reviews before accepting a job offer. You will save yourself a TON of headache.

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🚩Red Flags When Job Searching

1. Vague Job Description: If the job description is unclear or seems to encompass too many roles without clear responsibilities, it might indicate disorganization or unrealistic expectations from the employer.

2. High Turnover Rates: Companies with high employee turnover might be experiencing management issues, poor work culture, or lack of growth opportunities. Read the company’s Glassdoor reviews and try to find out why employees are leaving.

3. Poor Communication: If the employer or recruiter is unresponsive, frequently reschedules interviews, or provides inconsistent information, it could signal disorganization or a lack of respect for candidates.
   ~My wife once went for an interview, got stood up, and the interviewer’s excuse was that she forgot and wanted to reschedule. No thanks.

4. Lack of Clarity on Compensation and Benefits: Employers who are not transparent about salary, raises, bonuses, or benefits might be trying to lowball candidates or may not offer competitive compensation packages.
   ~Aim high but understand your job’s market value by doing your research. If you can’t get your target salary, always negotiate with a sign-on bonus or extra vacation time. Companies unwilling to budge are not worth working for.

5. Excessive Overtime Expectations: If the job expects regular overtime without proper compensation or work-life balance, it might lead to burnout and dissatisfaction.

6. Rushed Hiring Process: While a quick hiring process isn't always bad, being rushed into accepting an offer without proper consideration or interviews might indicate desperation or high turnover.

7. Unclear Path for Advancement: If the employer cannot articulate clear career progression or professional development opportunities, there might be limited growth potential within the company.
   ~Everybody has their balance of compensation versus experience, find yours. For some people, it might be worth sacrificing development for compensation, and vise versa.

8. Negative Interactions During Interviews: Pay attention to how interviewers treat you and each other. Disrespectful or unprofessional behavior is a strong indicator of workplace culture.

9. Negative Reviews: Look up the company on job review websites. A pattern of negative reviews from current or former employees regarding management, work environment, or ethics can be a major red flag.

10. Too Much Emphasis on Perks Over Substance: Companies that focus heavily on perks (like ping pong tables or free snacks) but little on employee development, work-life balance, or meaningful work might be masking deeper issues.
    ~UNLIMITED PTO IS A SCAM. 99% of jobs who offer unlimited PTO will expect mass overtime and shame those who actually do take a day off. It never fails.

In conclusion, you’re going to get hired and receive the salary requirements you deserve. These things take time! Don’t rush into the first job offer you get if it’s the wrong fit. Look for your red flags and know your worth!

_{Written by Bailey Hepler}

ASK BAILEY

Yep, I’m now taking questions! Respond to this email with an office dilemma and I will include it in next week’s newsletter with my thoughts 🙂

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