16 Signs a Job Isn’t a Good Fit
JayDee VykoukalThis 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.
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