As we usher in a new year, companies are looking to grow their technical capacity given the Covid reality of rapid digitization and working remotely. Additionally, due to massive lay-offs, many candidates are looking for new opportunities to not only grow their careers but also support themselves financially. Here are some red flags to watch out for as you apply for new jobs:

Rockstar work culture

I’m sure you’ve encountered job descriptions with these statements: “We’re looking for a rockstar with a can-do attitude who will help us define the company’s future…”. Using buzzwords in a job description is unprofessional and only serves to confuse applicants as to what exactly the company requires in a candidate. Also, that could be an indication that the company does not understand the role. This can easily lead to difficult performance appraisals because expectations are not clear from the get-go and your performance will be compromised due to this confusion.

Vague job description

An applicant should know what skills are required for a job and whether they qualify by reading the job description. Applying for roles with vague job descriptions could put you at risk of being given different roles once confirmed or you end up being an all-purpose employee with no defined role, making it harder to demonstrate the value you add to the company. Vague job descriptions are also an indicator that the role could be underpaid yet requiring more work from you. If the Job description is not clear, you can reach out to the company to get clarification which is also a good way to gauge willingness to communicate and clarify issues.

Asking to see proof of the previous salary

Negotiating for a salary can be nerve-wracking because you want to get the best compensation for your skills while trying to secure the job. However, when a company asks to view your previous salary, they could low ball you compensation-wise because your previous salary is not an indication of current skills acquired. Your potential salary should be based on the value you bring to the table and not your previous salary.

For newbies looking to gain experience, it might be hard to turn down the request but know that you will lose your negotiation advantage when you surrender your previous payslips. To navigate this issue in a professional way, let your interviewer know that your previous salary is confidential and you do not feel comfortable disclosing this information.

Unprofessional communication

Companies that care about professionalism will communicate through appropriate channels and will be keen to not confuse applicants. Most companies have a specific job application email or portal and will also indicate that that is their only contact for applications. Lack of communication etiquette on the company’s side could be an indication that official channels of communication are not respected and boundaries will be crossed.

Frequent mass layoffs and restructuring

Despite being a turbulent business environment for most companies, you should want to work for a company that values your work and also provides room for growth. Companies that lay off employees frequently may hinder your growth due to constant instability and in most cases, such companies tend to have a stifling work culture that values self preservation over progress. To know if a company does frequent layoffs, check news reports about the company and reviews on sites like Glassdoor and indeed.

Work hard, play hard attitude

Sure, working hard is great and enjoying the fruits of your labour is satisfying. However, a company that encourages this kind of attitude as the norm rather than the exception will be hard to strike a work/life balance which could lead to burnout. An ideal company should encourage healthy commitment to work while also valuing an employee’s life beyond work. A study published by BMC Public Health concluded that poor work-life balance is associated with poor self-reported health among working adults. During your interview, ask your interviewer if you’ll be expected to be on call after official working hours and on weekends.Also find out if they allow employees to take paid time out in full, if employees are allowed to take sick and study leave. Working overtime to meet tight deadlines is not a bad thing but if this is embedded in a company’s culture, then striking a work-life balance will prove to be challenging.