First-Time Job Seekers – Concern Points to Note

Recruitment is a process that empowers a company or an employer to check on the candidate to scrutinize him on points that matter the most to an employer. The recruitment process is also a window for a candidate to learn about the company culture. It is an opportunity for First-time job seekers to look at career perspectives before making a joining decision. 

The candidates can check on the stages of the recruitment process to make their analysis of the job description, remuneration structure, leave rules, and options for career growth. The following RED FLAGS can help make your decision as a job seeker. 

Clumsy Recruitment Process

The HR practices are going through a rigorous transformation from manual to digital. Employers have started using apps and top-class HR tools to refine their recruitment process. The digital revolution has increased the sophistication and speed of the process. 

The employer wasting time on unnecessary paperwork or making delayed decisions is not a choice to work out. 

Complex Job Description

The job description is the most vital factor for a job seeker to accept or reject a job offer. It is the whole interaction that an employee has with his employer. A candidate must know that his future manager is a person who writes his JD. In other words, the JD document reveals the expectations of the manager and the employer organization. 

A vague JD usually fails to describe details on the following counts,

  • A mixing and repetition of functions.
  • An unsure, vague, or complex job description.
  • Desiring an unrealistic skill set. 
  • Unclear language.

Communication Bottlenecks

Some communication bottlenecks are indicators of understanding the culture of an employer. This helps to make the right decision for a job candidate. As First-Time Job Seekers, make a check on the following communication aspects to arrive at a reasonable decision to accept an offer. Following are some examples of such communication Red Flags.

  1. An employee stopping replying to candidates’ quarries means that the employer is not genuine. 
  2. Unclear communication means that there is no sure career path. 
  3. Excessive communication leads to ambiguity, confusion, and annoyance.
  4. Non-professional communication like calling after office hours. 

 High Turnover

Applying for the job and getting an offer is not enough. First-Time Job Seekers need to do homework on checking the history of the employer’s track of dealing with employees. Employees opt to leave a company if it does not care about its employees. A high turnover is not a sign of a good employer. It is rather a drawback.

A candidate who knows the job market can easily find if the same job has been advertised repeatedly by an employer. It certainly means that the employer is not offering amicable terms for a long-term stay. Higher turnover is considered among the major red flags for joining a job. 

Interview Process

Good employers show respect to their existing and potential employees. Such employers have setups and procedures in place to honor their employees. For example, a choice employer will ask for an interview at a cozy, easily approachable office. Even pay TA/DA for appearing in an interview. The way a company is dealing with a candidate is a clear sign of its employer’s priorities. Red flags in the interview process can be as under. 

  1. Multiple changes in interview appointments.
  2. Discourteous welcome at reception.
  3. Keeping in waiting for a long period.
  4. An unfocused interview or a disinterested interviewer.
  5. Causing undue irritation during an interview.
  6. An uncomfortable place for an interview.

Low Salary Offer

Every job description has a certain market-based level of salary and financial gains. A low-paid employer will never assure career growth. The candidate must ask clearly for the market-based salary. Companies offer “other benefits” and a low salary offer which is difficult to mature. Offering a different job description than the advertised one is also a red flag for a potential new employee to note. 

Poor Employer Repute

Goodwill takes time to develop. It is the reputation of the business that makes it popular. A candidate has a right to check on the reputation of an employer. The organization’s culture indicates company policies, practices, and professionalism. A company enjoying a good reputation in business circles is the right place to apply for a job. 

The reputation of an employer can also be checked from the business circles, company employees, and job resources like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and other similar portals. Comments on different websites are also a source of guidance for a business reputed in the job market. 

Uncertain Career Path  

Joining a job is a career decision. Potential employees must have an eye on a long-term career path. Make sure the organization is offering career growth opportunities. Being stuck in a dead-end career is not a rational decision. 

Check on the company history and the future potential of a certain job. The position and employer offering no career growth is again a red flag that can spoil your career in the long run. 

Apply your Vision

Last but not least is your vision. A candidate learns a lot through his own experience of applying for jobs, appearing in job tests, and going through interviews. Your experience of an interview can tell you the whole truth about company culture.

A discourteous or irritating interview process means a toxic company culture. On the other hand, a respectful process means that the company offers care for its employees. There are some other untold gestures that one can judge from the office environment etc. 

Image by VIN JD from Pixabay 

uhayat
  • uhayat
  • The author has rich management exposure in banking, textiles, and teaching in business administration.