As a job seeker, I’ve had the chance to read a lot of job descriptions. Besides checking the job title, there’s many important things a job seeker should look out for when checking a job description if you want to find a quality job. Even if you’re desperate for work and just need something to pay the bills, always remember your worth and apply for positions you actually want. Know what you want and what you will not compromise on. For example, if you’re looking for work as a content writer and want to be paid at least $50,000, don’t apply for a sales job that pays only $40,000.
As job seekers, it’s easy to overlook big and little red flags in pursuit of work, but if you want to find something that works for you then keep an eye out for these things when you’re looking at job descriptions, especially if you use a job board site such as Linkedin, Indeed, or Ziprecruiter.
Spelling or Grammar Mistakes
Spelling and grammar mistakes in a job posting are sloppy, and with the prevalence of sophisticated systems like Grammarly, there’s no excuse for misspellings and poor grammar. Such mistakes look unprofessional and undermine the credibility of the organization posting the job. In the worst-case scenario, these mistakes could indicate a scam.
Unclear Job Requirements
A job description should clearly spell out the job duties. Ambiguity about the position and catch all lines like “other duties as assigned” could signal a workplace where employees are overworked and given additional duties without warning or proper compensation. A lack of clarity around job duties is problematic, making it harder to push back and set boundaries when managers pressure you into more work.
Inconsistencies within the Job Posting
Like grammar and spelling mistakes, inconsistencies within the job posting show a lack of professionalism and may signal a low-quality job (e.g. inadequate pay, excessive workload, disorganized management, etc.).
For example, the job title is “English Instructor/Teacher” but the job duties state that you’re responsible for teaching math subjects. Such internal inconsistencies show that no one reviewed the posting before it was published and that can signal a internal workplace issues.
Job Benefit Information is Unclear or Missing Altogether
Job postings that give no information about pay or other forms of compensation are unfortunately very common.
Organizations benefit from hiding information about pay and other compensation because it means that job candidates are more likely to accept inadequate compensation. It perpetuates pay gaps and wage discrimination, so I am always wary about applying for jobs that state nothing about the pay or benefits.
Peronally, postings that say pay is “commensurate with experiences” are suspicious to me because it means that the company — not your own experience and education — determines your worth and it’s easy to get low-ball pay offers.
Job Description Focuses More on the Company vs the Job Itself
Job descriptions typically include a short explanation of the company or organization. The name of the place you’re applying to should be clearly stated and some info about the organization should be included — a lack of clarity around either could indicate a scam.
However, a job description that focuses solely on how “great” the company is and how lucky you’d be to work there are red flags, especially if combined with other red flags like not showing benefits information. Steer clear of jobs that talk about what a great opportunity it is to work for them.
Qualifications/Job Requirements are Unrealistic or Excessive
An extremely long list of job duties or unrealistic work expectations are another thing to look out for. These long lists of requirements tell me the job has a high workload, and unrealistic job expectations only set you up for failure if you somehow manage to secure the job. Unless you’re okay with a big workload, don’t apply for jobs with loads of requirements.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether any of these red flags are a dealbreaker for you, but too many of these red flags is a sign of a low-quality job or even a scam job. It’s better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your career. And remember, there are always more jobs out there to apply to. Happy job hunt to you!
