15 New Job Red Flags That Are the Worst Signs

Have you ever shown up for a job on your first day and felt that something just wasn’t right? In both relationships and work, we frequently ignore red flags that we really should have caught. When it comes to your career, many of these red flags may be evident throughout the hiring process.

1. If your first day at work ends with an envelope sliding toward you, rather than a W-9 form, that’s a red flag.

Why Paying Money Under the Table Is a Red Flag

If the company is trying to pay you under the table, it isn’t paying its taxes.

If it isn’t paying its taxes, it isn’t going to be around for much longer.

2. You find out that the last few people in the position left swiftly.

"When the last few incumbents of your position were hired and left quickly. I call it the Defense Against the Dark Arts conundrum.

Why a High Turnover Rate Is a Red Flag

The company is either hiring people unsuitable for the task or is giving them far more work than they anticipated.

It’s pretty likely the same thing is about to happen to you.

3. They want you to take an IQ test or an intelligence test before you get the job.

"Having to take an online IQ test before even being considered for an interview" is a red flag.

4. If they appear to be trying to sell you a service rather than just offer you a job.

Why Selling a Service Is a Red Flag

If the company sees you as a customer rather than an employee, that's never going to end.

You're going to come away from the business with less money, not more.

5. The salary in the job description ranges from $15,000 to $300,000, they keep talking about 'total compensation,' and no one will give you an actual number.

Why a Massive Salary Range Is a Red Flag

Some companies have a toxic work environment that’s more take than give.

Companies that pressure you to use their services, rather than offering you benefits and discounts, are to be avoided.

6. When you ask to talk to HR, you’re told that there isn’t an HR department.

"I know people (rightfully) like to hate on HR, but if a company brags about 'not having an HR department to deal with,' expect them to be very disorganized at a minimum,

7. The company appears to be constantly holding open interviews.

"Open interviews," u/T-money79 decisively states. "It tells me that people leave faster than you can bring them in, and with good reason."

Why Constant Open Interviews Are a Red Flag

Avoid places where there's high turnover. Open interviews indicate that the company is losing people constantly, and they aren’t being too picky about who they bring in.

It’s a huge sign of a disorganized company or a company that’s growing too fast to manage itself.?

8. You ask who your manager is, and they either can’t tell you or hand you a half-dozen names.

Why Multiple Managers Are a Red Flag

Let’s say you applied for a job, you ask who you report to, and they give you a whole list. Having multiple managers indicates that the organization is disorganized.

At best, it’s top-heavy. There are too few people doing the labor, and too many people managing them. At worst, it means that you’ll be receiving conflicting requests all the time.

9. If you were hired on the same day that you were interviewed, they’re either short-staffed or desperately in over their heads.

"Trying to rush a decision out of you once the offer is made,"

Why Same-Day Hiring Is a Red Flag

Like "open interviews," this indicates they desperately need help.

Unless they have a very good reason (such as their previous employee getting hit by a bus), same-day hiring usually indicates the work environment is so toxic that they can’t get anyone to stay.

10. You’re expected to work for passion, not pay. In fact, don't even ask about pay.

"'Nobody works here for the money,'

11. You look around and everyone in the company is either very old or very young.

"A couple old senior partners, lots of young employees and nothing in between" is a huge warning sign

Why Very Old and Very Young Employees Are a Red Flag

Think about it. This means that the company has no room for advancement.

Entry-level employees come in, but then they leave because they have no upper trajectory.

Upper management is a thousand years old because they’ve been there forever, but they aren’t retiring.

12. Asking 'How many children are you planning to have?' at the first job interview.

?"Asking if I planned to have children in the interview (I was 19)" is one huge red flag,

Why Asking About Having Children Is a Red Flag

Asking if you have kids is friendly, if still somewhat inappropriate. Asking whether you’re planning to have children is not.

Often, the potential employer is trying to suss out whether you’re going to need time off and whether you’re going to be dedicated to the position.

If you say you’re going to have kids soon, say goodbye to your job.

13. Setting the stage for some serious overtime hours.

"Asking if you are somebody who's 'willing to put in the time to make sure deadlines are met/work is done'" or if you're 'the type of person who leaves when the workday is finished?'"

Why Serious Overtime Hours Are a Red Flag

14. You walk in and hit the 'misery wall.'

There's a misery wall when walking into work. When you pass a certain point in the building the feeling changes significantly. If you know, you know."

Why the 'Misery Wall' Is a Red Flag

15. Your interviewer or manager asks you directly about how you deal with drama.

"At my job interview, I got asked, 'How do you deal with drama in the workplace?' Looking back, I was so stupid to accept that job,"