Written by Vaclav Koranda

How to Spot and Avoid Low Quality Job Opportunities

Let’s be honest – not all jobs and companies are great. Some can be downright bad, turning the workplace into a nightmare and even affecting your health. In last week’s issue of my newsletter, I told you how to spot and avoid scam job opportunities. However, even many legitimate job opportunities might, if accepted, at best, result in a few gray hairs.

At worst, they can completely derail your career.

Low-quality jobs often provide limited opportunities to learn new skills or gain valuable experience, and they may even carry a stigma of being a loser. This can make transitioning to better roles more challenging, potentially trapping you in a cycle of subpar positions. Over time, poor pay, inadequate benefits, and unfavorable working conditions can lead to burnout, stress, and dissatisfaction, ultimately impacting your motivation and overall well-being.

So how do you recognize a bad job or company before accepting the offer so that you don’t get trapped? There are some common signs:

From the Job Advert:

  • Weird or Funny Job Title: Job titles containing words like ‘Ninja,’ ‘Rockstar,’ ‘Superhero’, or similar “funny” words, usually mean that they expect one person to do the job of multiple people—for a single paycheck.
  • Weird or Funny Job Titles of Senior Employees: Look out for peculiar job titles or titles of senior management that sound unconventional, such as “Happiness Manager” or “Charismatic Engagement Officer” (= CEO). This often indicates a very specific, and sometimes toxic, company culture. While it may appeal to some, exercise caution and gather more information about the company before applying.
  • A Heavy Focus on ‘Fast-Paced Environment’: Some companies are fast-paced because they move quickly, make decisions fast, and have ambitious goals. Nothing wrong with that! However, most of the companies that describe themselves as “fast-paced” actually mean they are disorganized, understaffed, and unsustainable.
  • Phrases in the Job Description: Be wary of certain phraseology like “We are a happy tribe,” “We work hard, play hard,” or “We are like a family.” Such companies may operate in a sect-like manner, aiming to own and consume all your private time.
  • Overblown Job Titles: Be cautious if the job titles are inflated relative to the size of the organization. This is a usual tactic practiced by bad companies to entice candidates with titles.
  • Vague Job Descriptions: If the job description is vague and suggests that the candidate is expected to shape the role’s content, it signals a lack of clear vision for the position. Signing up for such a job could be risky, as they may realize they don’t need it, putting you back at square one.
  • Perpetually Claiming Startup Status: If a company claims to “operate like a startup” despite being several years old, it may indicate struggles in making their business sustainable, with the risk of ceasing operations at any time.
  • Repetitive Job Advertisements: If you repeatedly see the same job advert, it indicates an employee retention issue, and you might well become a part of their attrition statistics yourself in just a few weeks. Ultimately, accumulating short periods of employment will negatively impact your CV and potentially hinder your career progress.

From the Job Interview:

  • Discrepancies Between Advertisement and Reality: Watch out for discrepancies between the job advertisement and what you hear or observe during the interview, such as differences in job title, scope, or requirements. Companies struggling to attract candidates might tweak the job details to make them appear more attractive whilst the reality is vastly different.
  • Disrespect: If the interviewer comes too late to the interview, it’s a clear sign that they might not value you as a candidate, possibly inviting you just to meet their quotas or they may be not serious about hiring anyone at all.
  • High Turnover: Always inquire about the reason the role is vacant and the reasons for the previous incumbent’s departure. Lookup LinkedIn profiles of previous incumbents or people in similar roles and check how long they typically stayed in the company. High turnover indicates potential employee retention issues.
  • Inflated Salary: Exercise caution if the salary is significantly higher than the market norm. While it may seem counterintuitive, good companies typically offer average or below-average salaries because people are attracted to them for the valuable experience and other benefits they provide. On the other hand, bad companies, lacking a true value proposition, may resort to bribing candidates with high salaries. While a generous paycheck may initially seem enticing, carefully consider whether the overall experience is worth it in the long run.
  • Unpaid Work Opportunities: If they ask you to work for free or accept stock options only, it signals a lack of proper funding for operations and might not be a sustainable company.
  • Display of National Flags: The display of various national flags at the company premises is considered a bad sign, as anecdotal evidence suggests. It’s something worth considering, though I am not really sure about the exact reason.

Conclusion

Low-quality job opportunities can jeopardize your career growth and mental well-being. Staying in such roles for too long may hinder your ability to climb the career ladder and achieve your long-term goals. Recognizing the warning signs of a bad job or company is essential to avoiding these pitfalls. Stay vigilant and conduct thorough research into the company before accepting an offer. Take the necessary time to evaluate your options carefully and prioritize positions that enhance your skills and positively contribute to your career trajectory.

Good luck!

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