Job hunting? Watch out for these employer red flags
Job hunting can be exciting, nerve-wracking, and at times overwhelming. As applicants, we spend time preparing for interviews and putting our best foot forward in hopes of landing the right opportunity.
But while it's important to impress a potential employer, it's just as important to evaluate the company you're applying to. After all, you'll be spending around 40 hours a week there, contributing your time, skills, and effort—not just earning a paycheck.
Whether you're a first-time job seeker or looking for your next career opportunity, here are some red flags to watch out for when choosing an employer.
They treat applicants poorly
Career and leadership coach Kurly de Guzman told PhilSTAR L!fe the recruitment process often reflects a company's workplace culture, so it's important for applicants to pay attention to how they're treated from the very first interaction. According to her, red flags can show up in how employers conduct themselves during the hiring process.
She encourages applicants to ask themselves the following questions during the recruitment process: "Did they come on time to the interview, did they treat you with respect, how did they respond to your questions, or how did they react to the way that you spoke, did they make a rude comment about you or others in terms of age, gender, etc.?"
Life and career coach Aurora Suarez shared a similar view, saying applicants should also consider how responsive and transparent prospective employers are throughout the recruitment process. She suggested asking: "Are they forthcoming with their answers to your questions? How long does it take for them to respond to your application, follow-ups, or give you feedback?"
Their values don't match their actions
Looking beyond a company's stated mission and values is essential to assessing whether those ideals are actually reflected throughout the hiring process. If these don't align with yours or they don't practice what they preach, De Guzman said, those can be a red flag.
Employees leave because of workplace issues
Applicants shouldn't hesitate to ask why a position is open and what prompted the previous employee to leave, Suarez said, as the answers may reveal insights about the company's work environment and employee retention.
De Guzman likewise encouraged applicants to look into employee tenure and the reasons behind staff departures, noting that short tenures caused by burnout or an unhealthy work culture can be a red flag.
"Check employee tenure and reason for leaving–if tenure is short and employees have left due to burnout, unhealthy culture, etc.," she said. De Guzman also suggested checking employee reviews on platforms like Glassdoor to get a better sense of the company and raise any clarifications during the interview.
The workplace culture feels off
While it's difficult to fully understand a company's culture before accepting a job offer, Suarez said applicants can still pick up subtle cues during the hiring process. If the interview is held on-site, she encouraged job seekers to observe their surroundings and pay attention to the workplace atmosphere, as these can offer insights into the organization's culture and how employees are treated.
"Notice the energy of the room. Are people engaged, or does it feel like people are just going through the motions of their jobs? Are the office and office building clean and well-maintained?" she said.
The company isn't transparent or credible
Verifying whether a prospective employer is legitimate before accepting a job offer is highly recommended, De Guzman advised. Beyond research, she encouraged job seekers to check whether the business is properly registered and has a credible presence.
Meanwhile, job seekers shouldn't be afraid to ask questions during the interview to better understand how the company operates, Suarez noted. She said an employer's willingness to answer openly can reveal how transparent it is about its workplace and values.
"What are the training or learning opportunities available for new employees? How about for people who have been here for more than a year? For more than five years?" she said.
She also suggested asking employers how they put their stated values into practice.
"Remember that the interview process goes both ways. You are also interviewing your future employer and seeing if your strengths, values, talents, skills and abilities can add value and are a match to the company. The probationary period is also there not just so they can assess your performance but so you can see if this is a company that you can grow in and contribute meaningfully to," Suarez said.
"All of these are subtle signs to see how they value the people they work with. If they're not even interested in making a good first impression, then they will probably not care for or even respect their employees in the long term," she added.
