Job hunting red flags: What to watch out for in 2024

Job hunting is a full-time job in itself. You need to spend hours perfecting your cover letter, preparing for interviews, and doing due-diligence on the company you want to work for. All the while you’re being judged and evaluated by potential employers to see if you’re a fit.

But while you’re being asked ‘What can you bring to this position?’ don’t be afraid to ask yourself ‘what can this position bring to my life?’

It’s just as important to judge if the company you’re interviewing with is a good fit for you, based on your lifestyle and values. Red flags throughout the process will often expose a company that has a bad culture, poor work-life balance, or exploitative practices. You just need to know how to spot them.

What are job hunting red flags?

Job hunting red flags are early warning signs or indicators that something might not be right with a potential employer or job opportunity. These can become apparent at different stages of the job search process, from the initial application to the post-offer phase. Identifying these red flags early can save you from accepting a role at a company that’s not a good fit for you.

Red flags during the application process

Unclear job descriptions

One common red flag is a job description that lacks clarity. Vague responsibilities and qualifications can indicate that the employer isn’t sure what they’re looking for. This not only wastes your name, but can lead to serious frustration and ambiguity down the track if you accept the role.

A job posting that lacks clear job descriptions or responsibilities can indicate that the employer is uncertain about the role or looking for someone who can wear multiple hats, potentially leading to overwork.

Unprofessional communication

It’s easy to get caught up in the optics of how you’re communicating as a job seeker (is it better to sign off with ‘Kind Regards’ or ‘Best Wishes’ – who knows!). However, it’s just as important to look for clues in how the talent or hiring manager communicates with you. Frequent delays, unprofessional language, or obvious disorganisation often hints at a chaotic work environment.

If you feel like you’re not being shown due respect in the recruitment process – when the company should be trying to win you over – what will your experience be like when you’re on the books?

Excessive turnover

Research the company’s turnover rate. If they have a history of high employee turnover, it’s often a sign of poor management or an unhealthy company culture. According to the Australian HR Institute, a ‘standard’ turnover rate in 2023 is 12% annually.

Sure, certain roles will always have high turnover —sales, receptionist and hospitality roles are all examples of this —but if it seems to be a company-wide trend, those alarm bells should be going off. 

Red flags during interviews

Unprepared interviewers

While it’s normal for interviewers to ask for an overview of your experience in your own words, if they seem unprepared or unaware of your skills, it indicates a lack of effort on their part. It’s also worth evaluating the questions they ask you. Do they have a thoughtful list or do their questions seem irrelevant and scrappy?

Remember: your time is just as valuable as the interviewers. If they demonstrate a lack of respect for your time and attention, that’s a big red flag.

Job interviews should be a side-eye-free zone.

Lack of transparency

The opportunity to ask questions yourself at the end of an interview isn’t just a formality, it’s critical in helping you understand what the role entails – and your interviewer should respond transparently.

Here are some questions that you could use to get a better understanding of the role and the organisation;

1. What does a typical day in this role look like?
2. How does the company reward employee success and celebrate wins?
3. What would you love to see the person in this role achieve in their first 6 months?
4. How does the company help employees work collaboratively?
5. What is the company’s philosophy when it comes to employee development?

Be cautious if the interviewers avoid answering these questions. Transparency is crucial for a successful work relationship, and any hesitance to answer these questions suggests an unhealthy company culture.

Unrealistic expectations

Watch out for employers who have unrealistic expectations, such as demanding excessive work hours or qualifications that are beyond the scope of the job.

While every job will have a long and demanding day every once in a while, you don’t want to get stuck on this hamster wheel. Listen to the hiring manager when they speak about the role’s goals, and what kind of work is required to achieve them.

Extensive unpaid tasks

In the later stages of the interview process, some employers may ask you to complete unpaid tasks. This is a common way for potential employers to see how you think and gauge your suitability for the role.

But if you’re being asked to complete numerous unpaid tasks that take up a lot of time and effort, this is a warning sign. Watch out for employers exploiting your skills and IP without compensation.

Red flags in compensation and benefits

Subpar salary offers

A job with a significantly lower salary than industry standards may be a red flag —not just because they’re offering an uncompetitive salary package. It could indicate the employer undervalues employees or has financial issues that mean they can’t offer market rate for the role.

Go into the recruitment process informed about an appropriate salary - our salary benchmarking tool can help with that. As Swag recruitment expert Kate Jolly explains; “It helps to be well-researched. There are plenty of free resources like Glassdoor and Payscale.com that can help you to research your market rate. Be open about the research you’ve done and how you’ve arrived at your desired figure.”

Inadequate benefits

How does the employer’s benefits stack up against other organisations? The quality of benefits on offer can be just as important as the salary range. Robert Half research shows two-thirds of candidates have accepted a job offer because of the company’s employee benefits rather than the salary offered. 

It’s not a dealbreaker if the company doesn’t offer benefits like discounted healthcare, gym memberships or working from home allowances —but consider whether these perks are important for you.

Red flags post-offer

Rushed onboarding

Onboarding is the first taste of life at your new organisation. It should provide a great first impression that leaves you excited to get stuck into your role.

What makes up a great onboarding process? Onboarding green flags include;

• Receiving all the necessary equipment to do your job (uniforms, laptops, etc.)
• A detailed run-through of the company’s mission, values and processes
• Copies of your employment contracts and the company’s policies
• A ‘who’s who in the zoo’ – an explanation of who does what in the company, and who you can ask for help as you get started

A rushed or disorganised onboarding process can indicate a lack of preparation or support for new employees. While it’s not an immediate dealbreaker, it does not bode well for the experience you’ll have as an employee of the organisation.

Negative company reviews

This is an obvious one, but it’s commonly overlooked —especially with well-known brands. Do your research and read employee reviews and company ratings. Does the company seem to be getting consistently negative feedback from current or former employees? Do they seem unable –or unwilling –to address this feedback? If they haven’t demonstrated a commitment to changing their organisation for the better, this is a significant red flag.

Legal or ethical concerns

This one goes without saying, but if you discover legal issues or ethical concerns related to the company, such as lawsuits or unethical practices, you might want to run in the other direction.

Find your perfect fit

When you’re job hunting, it’s easy to think that you’re in a dynamic where the employer has all the power. But don’t forget, the recruitment process is just as much about the employer winning you over. Don’t lose sight of what you’re looking for; a position that aligns with your career goals and personal values.

These red flags can help you sort the good from the bad, so you can find gold on the recruitment market. Trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to walk away from an opportunity that raises the alarm bells – and towards a role that’s your perfect fit.

6 top employee benefits to cut the cost of living:

1. Health insurance employee benefits

Health insurance remains one of the most sought-after employee benefits in 2024. With the rising cost of healthcare, some premiums can set you back $150+ a month! Being able to get the best price on health insurance can significantly reduce your expenses and put more money back in your pocket.

The best employers offer discounts and special corporate offers with leading providers. When choosing a policy, some things to consider are: life stage – do you need to take out cover for partners or children? Think about what services you’ll need, and what your plans for the future might be.

2. Energy and utilities employee benefits

Bills: they’re an inescapable part of life. But did you know you can save on essential expenses like electricity bills each month? It’s one of the best work perks out there, and it’ll keep you toasty this winter without worrying about the price tag. In a time where rising prices have people deciding whether to heat or eat, that’s a big win.

3. Earned Wage Access employee benefits

What would you do if you had on-demand access to the money you’ve earned each day? For many, they would use it to pay their bills on time, avoid credit cards and manage their expenses without going into debt.

Earned Wage Access (EWA) is an increasingly popular benefit many organisations are offering to help boost their teams’ financial wellness. In a time where you can stream music, watch blockbusters on-demand and get almost anything delivered to your door in minutes, EWA is a top perk to seek out. 

4. Cashback employee benefits

Getting money back just for shopping? Now that’s a nice perk. With the cost of living so high, it can be hard to justify non-essential spending.

Cashback offers mean you can treat yourself on a budget and earn up to 20% back on purchases from leading retailers like The Iconic, Virgin Airlines, Pet Circle and much more. That’s money back in your pocket every time you shop.

5. Budgeting employee benefits

Many companies are offering budgeting tools as part of their benefits packages to help their teams manage their finances effectively. Financial wellbeing is crucial to being engaged and motivated at work, and the best employers are recognising this.

6. Reward and recognition employee benefits

In 2024, the best employers are offering tangible rewards and ways to recognise their team for great work. 75% of employees receiving at least monthly recognition say they are satisfied with their job. 

Should all employers offer financial wellbeing employee benefits?

If you work for an employer that uses Employment Hero, you’re one of the lucky ones. You have access to all these financial wellbeing benefits through Swag. But not all employers offer benefits that cut the cost of living.

In fact, money remains a taboo topic in the workplace, with 60% of workers uncomfortable discussing financial concerns with their employer. This reluctance could be linked to the lack of financial perks and benefits provided by workplaces, with 38% of Aussies stating their employer does not offer perks that support financial health and wellbeing.

Many Australian employees feel their workplaces are not doing enough to support them amid rising living costs. A significant 59% of respondents believe their employers are not providing adequate support, with only 28% feeling supported and 13% unsure.

💡 According to Swag’s financial behaviours report, 72% of Australians report negative emotions or behaviours due to their financial situation, such as lack of motivation, sleep loss, and binge habits. Alarmingly, 90% of Australians have outstanding short-term debt, and nearly half (46%) struggle to cover regular expenses like rent and food before payday.

What’s next?

In 2024, salary isn’t the only consideration when accepting a job: workers want benefits that help put money back in their pocket. Look for an employer that’s invested in helping you cut the cost of living and build your financial wellbeing. In the long-run, these benefits may prove to be more worthwhile than salary alone.

What to know more? Your employee benefits FAQs, answered

What is an Employee Benefits Program?

An employee benefits program is a comprehensive package offered by employers to attract, motivate and retain employees. These programs typically include a mix of financial benefits, health and wellness benefits, and work-life balance initiatives. Examples of benefits included in such programs are health insurance, retirement savings plans, paid leave, performance bonuses, professional development opportunities and wellness programs like gym memberships or mental health support.

Are there mandatory employee benefits?

In many countries, certain employee benefits are mandated by law. These mandatory benefits often include minimum wage, superannuation (retirement savings), and leave entitlements such as annual leave, sick leave and parental leave. In Australia, for example, employers are required to contribute a minimum of 11% of an employee’s ordinary time earnings to their superannuation fund. Employees are also entitled to a minimum of 10 days of paid sick leave per year.

Good luck with your job hunt! Before you get stuck in, why not check how much you could be getting paid in a new role with our salary benchmarking tool? It always helps to go into an interview with the market value of your skills to hand.