8 Red Flags to Watch Out For Before Accepting a Job Offer
After making it through the interview process you've finally received a job offer, but part of you is unsure about whether to accept it. Maybe a recruiter was rude to you during an interview or the hiring process felt rushed. These are just a couple of the potential red flags that can determine if a job is the right one for you.
Having a job is important but that doesn't mean that every opportunity is the right fit for you. While a steady job provides stability, if you're not happy at the company you work for then you're more likely to become less productive and dislike the work you do. In order to determine if a job opportunity is right for you, watch out for these eight red flags below before you accept a job offer.
A rushed hiring process.
As grueling as the interview process can be, a job offer is a big decision from both an employer and candidate perspective. Employers should be using the time to get to know you and see if your skillset and personality fit well with the company. Candidates, on the other hand, want to see if the prospective employer a place where they can grow and thrive. If the process seems to be rushed, try to figure out why that is. If the hiring manager refuses to slow down then that could raise some concern.
High turnover rate.
It's important to see how long the average employee stays at the company to see if there are internal issues. If people within the team you're applying for are constantly leaving or even executives only stay for a few months, then that may be a sign that the company may not be the best fit for you.
You don't meet with anyone on the team.
If you're someone who values collaboration, meeting with your potential team members is essential to understanding the team culture and your potential future co-workers. If the hiring manager avoids having you meet with anyone on the team that something to question going forward.
Poor treatment during the hiring process.
This is one of the most important red flags to look out for. If you are treated poorly during the hiring process it can reflect the values that company has and foreshadow how they may treat you as an employee.
Goals and expectations are not clear.
You don't want to start a new job having to define your role (newly made roles are sometimes exceptions). Take advantage of the interview process to clarify the job expectations, responsibilities, and potential obstacles that you could face in the role. If an employer is vague about this, then ask yourself if you'd be okay with starting a job without clear goals and expectations.
Inconsistencies between interviewers.
While interviews help hiring managers get to know you as a candidate, this is also your time to interview the company as well. If an interviewer makes statements that contradict what a previous one told you, make note of that. This could show that the team may not be closely aligned in terms of goals or culture-wise or, worst case, someone is lying to you.
The company has a lot of negative reviews online.
Sites like Glassdoor are great resources to use to learn more about the company. Read the reviews that past employees and candidates left about the company to gauge why most people either love it there or leave.
Related blog posts:
4 Common Myths About Working With a Recruiter
How to Make Your LinkedIn Profile Standout to Recruiters