16 Signs a Job Isn’t a Good Fit

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

When looking for a new job, sometimes you might feel uneasy about a certain opportunity or how a company works. It’s like a gut feeling that something might be off, even if you haven’t found the perfect fit. If you need money right away, you might ignore these concerns and take the job. But if you have time to decide, it’s smart to trust your instincts and quickly step away if something doesn’t feel right.

In a recent online forum thread post, employees share the subtle signs they picked up on that the job was not a good fit for them. If you’re looking for a job, watch out for some of these red flags.

1. Too Perfect at First Glance

One user writes, “You check out glassdoor and there are a bunch of overwhelmingly positive reviews from “anonymous current employees” that under cons list “no cons that I can think of!” Even the best place to work in the world has SOME cons.”

Another user shares an in-depth story about their past employer forcing the employees (after a massive let-go) to leave a nice review if they want to keep their jobs.

2. Picking Up All the Slack

Sometimes, “temporary” extra work eventually turns into the normal work load (when a new person is never hired). One user confirms this common practice: “When an employee quits or gets fired from the job and the company doesn’t hire anyone new to replace them.

It can be hard to tell as a red flag at first, but the temporary workload they added to your own over that was left over after the person left, slowly becomes your new permanent workload, without any changes to your pay or benefits to compensate for the additional tasks. The further out it goes without the position being filled, the larger and more obvious the red flag becomes.”

3. Rampant Office Gossip

“When management talks poorly about the other employees, it might make you feel included/special at first but guaranteed they’re going to be talking about you next.” Seriously, gossip never does anyone any favors.

4. Trouble Celebrating Employees

One user has great advice for a job interview. “Want to find the red flag fast? During your interview, when the employer asks if you have any questions, ask this: Can you tell me about a recent time one of your employees really excelled?

A good employer won’t have any trouble celebrating their team. A crap employer will struggle hard to answer. …And it’s a perfectly reasonable question.”

5. Cutting Corners to Save Face

One user writes, “Management who are willing to risk it and cut corners.” He goes on to explain that a top manager was ready to hire him onto his team at a local warehouse. First, the manager asked if the man would load an imbalanced pallet (that poses a safety risk) if he was explicitly told to. The man said absolutely no, and the manager told him he wasn’t a good fit. Seriously?

6. Payment in Experience Over Dollars

“Offering to pay you a lot less than market rate because you will “Learn so much” or “Will be working with a great team”. My bank does not take IQ points as a mortgage payment.” Those are good points, indeed.

7. Micromanaging When Bored or Grumpy

One user explains a micromanaging boss that comes out of nowhere perfectly. “Seagull bosses. They fly in, make a lot of noise, sh** on everything, then fly away.”

8. Who Do You Think You Are?

“When you don’t get a review until you ask for a raise. Then, all of a sudden, your work is being questioned, and you’re being berated.” Yes, that’s a pretty good sign that it’s time to find a new job.

9. Treated Like Family

Family dynamics can get weird- not ideal for a business. A user points this out, “”We’re a family here”. Especially if it’s a smaller company. No you’re a business. And we’re employees.”

10. Get the Work Done Mentality

“When they say stuff like “we’re definitely not a 9-to-5 place, we stay until the work is done,” they mean there will be lots of overtime, possibly due to poor planning or overcommitment by leadership.

It could still be a good job, but negotiate for equity, not just a salary.”

11. Interview Mayem

“Sporadic and slow responses during the interview period. It signals that: either they don’t value the potential new employees’ time, or are so disorganized that they can’t even keep their own interviews lined up,” shares a user. Imagine how disorganized the company must be internally!

12. Mandatory Overtime on Salary

“Regular mandatory overtime – in other words you’re salary but after 60 hours per week you’re not making a whole lot over minimum wage.” Before taking a job, always ask how much overtime others are working (especially if you’d be on salary).

13. Payment is Up to You

“It’s a “fast paced environment” excellent for “self-starters.” This usually means you’ll be overwhelmed and underpaid for a long time. If you’re a self-starter, you might as well become an entrepreneur and set your own hours and salary!

14. No Time for Meals

One user was surprised when his employer said, ““We don’t really eat lunch” f*** you ive been working my a** off all day I’m gonna sit down for 30 minutes to and hour and eat my d*** sandwich.”

15. Negative Interview Vibes

“If the interviewer is negative and nitpicky but hires you anyway, either decline the offer or, at the very least, keep looking for something better if you absolutely need the income right now.” Makes sense.

16. Forever Hiring

Whether there’s a physical sign or online ad, a constant hiring sign is a bad sign that they are having trouble finding employees that want to stick around.

source.

21 Fulfilling Jobs You Can Start without a Degree or Mountains of Student Debt

Discovering a rewarding career path that avoids the pitfalls of burnout can be a daunting journey for anyone. Regrettably, numerous individuals invest substantial time and resources in obtaining a degree, only to eventually experience dissatisfaction with their chosen career trajectory or become disheartened by the scarcity of financially rewarding opportunities within their field of study—an all-too-familiar scenario.

21 Fulfilling Jobs You Can Start without a Degree or Mountains of Student Debt

20 Employees That Had Enough and Finally Walked Away from Their Toxic Bosses in the Best Ways

At some point in our lives, we’ve all come across tales of dreadful bosses who exploit their workforce and exhibit deplorable conduct. Confronted with such challenging situations, what options do the employees enduring these circumstances possess? For some, when they’ve reached their breaking point, they choose the decisive path of “I quit” and never look back. This empowering choice grants them the opportunity to reclaim control over their lives.

20 Employees That Had Enough and Finally Walked Away from Their Toxic Bosses in the Best Ways

14 Jobs That People Love for Their Low-Key Qualities

Numerous people dream of attaining a lucrative occupation that combines financial stability with minimal stress. The contemporary emphasis has shifted from relentless toil to strategic efficiency in the pursuit of a profession that provides both comfort and substantial monetary rewards. Such a career can be seen as a pinnacle achievement in today’s professional landscape.

14 Jobs That People Love for Their Low-Key Qualities

Millionaire Habits- 11 Behaviors Most Rich People Have in Common That Make Them Financially Smart

If you were to sit down with a millionaire, what would you ask them? Aspiring to attain millionaire status is admirable, but it doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Achieving and sustaining significant wealth necessitates a combination of street and book smarts, along with cultivating specific habits that can pave the way to success.

Millionaire Habits- 11 Behaviors Most Rich People Have in Common That Make Them Financially Smart

Shop Smart, Save Big: 40 Frugal Grocery Shopping Hacks

Looking to save money at the grocery store? Groceries are a big part of any household food budget, so it’s a good place to learn how to save money. My family and I live in Canada, and according to this article, the cost of groceries for an average family of four is $220 CAD per week (or around $172 USD).

Shop Smart, Save Big: 40 Frugal Grocery Shopping Hacks