The #1 Biggest Red Flag in a Job Posting, According to a Career Coach
Are you in the market for a new job? Or are you still searching for a job after months of applying and hearing nothing back? If so, you’re a part of the 10.7 million Americans looking for a job right now.
Throughout my experience as a job coach and mental health clinician, I’ve worked with many people who are continuously disillusioned with their work because they’re not paying attention to the little details. Whether I’m helping them with their motivation about finding a job in general or the more technical aspects of job hunting, I always suggest a few things to look out for—especially when it comes to red flags in a job posting.
It’s normal not to feel secure in your job, or like you’re constantly searching for new employment, with unpredicted layoffs becoming more commonplace across all industries. According to statistics reported by CNBC, companies across the U.S. have laid off over 250,000 people since the start of 2023. Waking up and realizing you’ve lost access to Slack or a company email isn’t a great feeling, so many employees are starting to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves if they become part of the layoff statistics.
As you apply for different positions, carefully reviewing each job posting is a must. But knowing what’s considered a red flag can be confusing, especially if you’re new to the workforce. Fortunately, I'm here to help.
Related: What To Say to Someone Who's Been Laid Off, According to Psychologists
The #1 Biggest Red Flag in a Job Posting, According to the Experts
While money can’t buy happiness, it does make life a lot easier. And it’s often the first thing job hunters look for in their quest for new employment. In fact, a LinkedIn survey found that over 90 percent of people want a salary range in a job posting. This staggering statistic lets us know that compensation is a necessary component of a job description, which brings me to the biggest red flag—no salary information.
Salary should be one of the first things you look for in a posting. If it’s missing, this is a huge indicator that the pay is probably undesirable or another factor that could dissuade you from accepting a job from the company. Here are some examples of how this might look in a job listing.
We offer a competitive salary and benefits package!
Salary information will be discussed during the interview and is subject to negotiation based on qualifications.
We believe in tailoring salary offers to a candidate’s experience. All compensation information is discussed during the interview, allowing us to consider and align your qualifications with our competitive compensation structure.
However, not listing the salary could be a sign of something bigger. “Some U.S. states now require that job postings include a salary,” says career coach and expert Krystin Morgan.
“If a job is posted for a specific location and it's one of those states, the salary must be included. If it's missing, it could show the organization is trying to skirt the law or is oblivious to it.”
6 Other Major Red Flags To Look Out for in a Job Posting
1. Vague Information in the Job Posting
The next and second most alarming red flag to look for in a job posting is if it’s filled with vague information. By the end of the description, you should have some idea of what the position entails and the requirements. Without the necessary information, making an informed decision about whether or not you want to apply is virtually impossible. More importantly, a vague job listing could be a scam. It’s typically not worth the risk of interviewing, only to discover that the hiring manager is looking for something different than they initially portrayed.
2. Lengthy Experience Requirements
Another red flag is a laundry list of requirements for the job. Casually asking for a massive list of qualifications probably means a business either doesn’t know what they’re looking for or has unrealistic expectations for the position. There are exceptions to this, such as when a job requires a specific skill set, but the requirements should generally align with the responsibilities or industry standards.
3. Inappropriate Salary
A low base salary is another money-related indicator that applying might not be worth your time. For example, say you’re looking for a mid-level position as a software engineer. You’ll likely have four or five years of experience, at least a bachelor’s degree and possibly some certifications. A salary of $60,000 doesn’t reflect the going rate for a mid-level software engineer, which, according to ZipRecruiter, is $139,952. It’s also a signal that employers aren’t willing to pay the appropriate amount for the work they expect. No one wants to be undervalued and unappreciated as soon as they start a job. To spot this red flag, go with your gut. If it seems low, it probably is. If you’re unsure, look up the average salary for the specific job title in your area to get a better idea of the market rate.
4. Grammatical Errors
Spelling or grammar mistakes are obvious red flags. While one might slip through an editor’s review, multiple errors mean you must proceed cautiously. Morgan and I agree that these mistakes could also indicate a scam. “A typo here or there isn't a massive flag,” she says. “But if a job posting is riddled with errors, it could be a fake posting, or worse, a scam to get personal information.”
As you browse job ads, look out for misspellings, incomplete sentences, wrong word choices and general grammatical errors (think misplaced commas or using the wrong punctuation).
5. No Mention of Benefits
Like you’d expect to see salary requirements, you should also expect details on the benefits. Do they offer paid time off for vacations and sick days? Does the company provide health insurance, retirement or life insurance? If you’re left wondering about any of these details, it’s a red flag.
6. Multiple Interviews
No one wants to waste their time when searching for a job. You want to know that a business values your time as much as they value your contributions; an unnecessarily high amount of interviews indicates that they don’t. However, every company is different. Morgan emphasizes considering individuality during the interview process, saying, “The number of interviews you should expect is really industry-dependent.”
“It's customary in the tech world to have a lengthy interview process. But you know your industry best, and if interviews keep being added with no end in sight, it may mean the hiring team is indecisive or unsure of what they're looking for.”
Related: Yikes—This Is the #1 Biggest Red Flag in a Job Interview, According to Career Experts
Applying With Confidence
Maintaining a positive mindset is key when dealing with any obstacles you might see during a job search. The more confident you are in your red flag-spotting skills, the less likely you are to fall victim to a scam or waste your time dealing with an employer that’s not a good fit.
Also, knowing that you are deserving and worthy of an employer that values appropriate compensation for the job, a healthy work-life balance and workplace transparency makes handling problems much less stressful.
It’s no secret that in an ideal world, job seekers wouldn’t have to worry about being bogged down by lengthy and unnecessary interviews or any bait-and-switch tactics some employers choose to use. But, by spotting these red flags, you’ll avoid the frustrations and stress they cause—saving you time and energy!
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