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“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies

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Sometimes you can see something’s off with the company even before joining it. Whether it’s a comment the hiring manager makes during the interview or an odd bullet point on the job listing—or any other suspicious-looking detail, for that matter—it can be enough to make a potential applicant wary or lead to them skipping applying altogether.

Members of the ‘Ask Reddit’ community have recently discussed things that raise suspicion after one user asked them to name the biggest red flag about a company that screams "Don't Join Us". Netizens had plenty to share, so if you’re curious to see what they consider the biggest warning signs, scroll down to find their answers on the list below.

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#1

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies "We work hard, and play hard!"

Look...you're my employer. I have no desire to "play hard" with you outside of work. You are literally paying me to hang out with you during work hours, but when I'm off the clock and you're not paying me?

You can f**k off. I'm going home.

gogojack , Jakub Zerdzicki/pexels Report

Final score:

55points

Sue User 5 months ago

Didnt some guy win a suit in France because they fired him for not " playing hard" that is socialising after work.

12points

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#2

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies "Fast Paced, ever chagning, multi task environment! "
Means they're gonna over work you or make you do s**t that isn't in your job description.

HeadFit2660 , Andrea Piacquadio/pexels Report

Final score:

45points

Lewis KR 5 months ago

Fast paced = under staffed

17points

#3

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies ''can perform well under stress''

they will stress tf outta you bruv.

kantotero69 , Mikhail Nilov/pexels Report

Final score:

40points

Vero SM 5 months ago (edited)

Horrible expression for hiring posts and for resumes

3points

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#4

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies We are a big family, usually means a disfunctional family, that only the senior people reap the true benefits of the profits . the underlings are expected to be loyal, but when its time for budget cuts, it is not meritocracy.

augustwestburgundy , Canva Studio/pexels Report

Final score:

36points

Lewis KR 5 months ago

We are a big family = nepotism is rife and we promote our favourites. Also there's 23 couples within the 100 employees, everyone is someone's ex and its a toxic minefield

12points

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#5

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies At one interview they asked "are you tough enough to work here?".. That's not a red flag or anything.

Jkayakj , Edmond Dantès /pexels Report

Final score:

31points

Šimon Špaček 5 months ago

Unless you are looking for a boxer (or volunteer for a most probably suicide mission during war).

12points

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#6

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies Posters on the walls talking about NOT discussing pay.

CIockParts , ThanosRuler555/reddit Report

Final score:

30points

Sue User 5 months ago

In USA, this is illegal. Not that you get much traction reporting it but it is illegal.

25points

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#7

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies Just 1? In no particular order…

*”Competitive Salary”* - But kept secret.🤫

Wild salary ranges - *”75k to 750k”*. 🧮

Any mention of “*Family*” in a JD or otherwise. 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒

*One way* interviews.🪞

*Pseudo-Science* based assesments. 👨🏻‍🔬

More rounds of interviews *than the CEO position*. 👨🏻‍💼

An over abundance of outdated *motivational posters*. 🏞️

“*Do not apply*” unless (insert list of questionable demands). 📋

Requesting *hours of free work*, ‘as part of the hiring process’. 💸

I could go on, but…🤦🏻‍♂️.

__OneLove__ , Alexander Suhorucov /pexels Report

Final score:

27points

Steve Hall 5 months ago

Motivational posters have been a red flag for decades.

2points

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#8

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies The interviewers scowl when you say one of your priorities is "work-life balance".

RiffRandellsBF , Antoni Shkraba/pexels Report

Final score:

26points

Lewis KR 5 months ago

I like to say 'life-work balance' so they know my priority right out of the gate

9points

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#9

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies Competitive wages and flexible hours...
Means they are offering minimum wage with little negotiation beyond it and the hours are "flexible" for them the schedule you anytime within your availability - some weeks can be filled to the brim while others only have a few hours.

DoctorTaco123 , fauxels/pexels Report

Final score:

26points

Page intentially left blank 5 months ago

If they don't list the wage/salary range, I'm not applying.

8points

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#10

When employees are leaving in droves, it's a strong signal that something's amiss. It could indicate poor management, a toxic work culture, or lack of growth opportunities.

margpretty Report

Final score:

23points

ffeineandsugar 5 months ago

"Or?" Do you mean "and?"

6points

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#11

This might be a German thing: There are quite a few companies advertising a "fruit basket" (fresh fruits for employees) as a benefit in job ads. Many see that as a red flag because if a company is offering this little and even bragging about it then it's misleading. Offering fresh fruit is certainly not a bad thing per se but it can be a red flag if it's overemphasised.

marvis303 Report

Final score:

23points

Lewis KR 5 months ago

My company do this 😂. Also the old classic of 'we invoiced £3 million this month, so everyone gets one free slice of pizza!' WOW THANKS SO MUCH BOSS

7points

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#12

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies Complaining about employee behavior in the listing.

Vegan_Harvest , Andrea Piacquadio/pexels Report

Final score:

21points

#13

If you’ve seen the same job ad come up before, (in the last 12 months) it can indicate there is high turnover for the role and people aren’t hanging around. It must be a real s**t show. Speaking from my own personal mistake on that one!

Flaky motherhood statements are also a flag that they are more show than go.

Snackrotes Report

Final score:

21points

Upstaged75 5 months ago

Yeah, I made that mistake too because I was unemployed and desperate. One of the worst decisions ever! If they are hiring an entire department you should probably ask why.

5points

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#14

On Glassdoor, every review must have a Pro and Con. If the Con is "if you can't thrive in a fast paced environment, this job isn't for you": that is a red flag that all positive reviews were written by leadership.

Kay_1965 Report

Final score:

21points

ColdSteelRonin 5 months ago

On Glassdoor the con for one of our reviews is: One of the owners, the sister is bat sh!t crazy. I don't disagree.

4points

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#15

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies They’re looking for a “rock star”.

Feeling-Visit1472 , Andrea Piacquadio/pexels Report

Final score:

19points

Dreaming Spirit 5 months ago

The company I'm working for was looking for someone with "killer abilities" in their ad. I applied, got hired, but I keep wondering why they asked for them since I never got an assignment that needed them.

13points

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#16

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies My current job has issues where management tends to fire people once their three months probation period ends because that's when they are accepted into our union and then it's super difficult to fire someone. Every person we've hired over the past six months has been fire just before their three month.

Also my current job. The OGs of the workplace bully the s**t out of new hires. It's always the elderly women who have worked at the place for like 40 years too. They talk so much s**t. And they tend to influence management on their firing practices by sowing discontent about certain employees. I'm so glad that I work in a clean room by myself all day where I don't have to deal with them.

Elsa_the_Archer , Ron Lach /pexels Report

Final score:

19points

Bambi 5 months ago

My last job trained 4 days and put us on phones. I was called into meeting the second week and let go due to only taking 49 calls a day when it is 80. We were told they don't expect us to be experts right away. I was so relieved im starting new job 7/1 with actual training and reasonable metrics.

1point

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#17

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies A permanent "Now Hiring" sign or Job Listing.

darksaber522 , Erik Mclean /pexels Report

Final score:

19points

Michael Largey 5 months ago (edited)

Some businesses should rename themselves "Now Hiring & Son".

13points

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#18

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies In France, there is a bunch of mandatory avantages like meal tickets, transportation card... If it's mentioned as a plus it's a big redflag.

midnaite , Mikhail Nilov/pexels Report

Final score:

19points

Alex 5 months ago

On balance of probabilities, this photo is not from France

2points

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#19

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies Passionate self-starter.

Means they want you to work extra hours without being told to with no direction.

priority_inversion , Andrea Piacquadio/pexels Report

Final score:

18points

Danish Susanne 5 months ago

I suppose that a Passionate self-starter would start his own business rather than work for yours.

0points

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#20

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies "Fun" = not fun.

Feeling-Bed-9506 , Resume Genius /pexels Report

Final score:

18points

#21

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies More than three interviews.

joshbiloxi , Tima Miroshnichenko/pexels Report

Final score:

18points

Tessana Nemenski 5 months ago

i cannot upvote this enough. As a recruiter I *cannot* stand the interviewing processes I have seen lately. 6+ interviews for an ENTRY LEVEL ROLE!?!? It is a waste of everyone's time. (*exception to this statement is that I can see 3+ interviews for a C-Level role and/or that involves high security clearances)

5points

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#22

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies I f*****g hate all the b******t fake questions and hoops you have to jump through when you're job searching and interviewing. BUT, if a company essentially does the bare minimum to vet you, the interview process is a breeze, and they hire you, they probably have a very high turnover, and it's because they f*****g suck.

HogwartsClitSeeker , Andrea Piacquadio/pexels Report

Final score:

17points

Luke Branwen 5 months ago

I love the righteous anger of this post

11points

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#23

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies Their GlassDoor reviews.

Severalsevans , Andrea Piacquadio/pexels Report

Final score:

17points

SheamusFanFrom1987 5 months ago

How my company decided to buck up (albeit not completely)...

2points

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#24

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies Unlimited PTO. Never held a job with that, but Ive heard from many people who have that its code for 'We will work you so much that you will never have time to take PTO"

I actively avoid all job postings that say Unlimited PTO unless the pay is ungodly.

PatientlyAnxious9 , Ketut Subiyanto/pexels Report

Final score:

16points

Laurie Schmid 5 months ago

Unlimited means zero when you quit and they have to pay for unused PTO.

8points

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#25

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies Personality profile test required.

HelloYouSuck , RDNE Stock project/pexels Report

Final score:

16points

R Dennis 5 months ago

I actually tested out of a job because I was over their bell curve range... but the assessment was mostly spot on.

2points

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#26

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies Lists 35 different duties you will be responsible for, then finishes it off with "Other duties as assigned.".

wm313 , Anna Shvets/pexels Report

Final score:

16points

SheamusFanFrom1987 5 months ago

My case, unfortunately. Escape plan in the works.

7points

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#27

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies One time, I was leaving a company because they were a bunch of racist f***s. There was an expose written about how discriminatory they were a few months after I made my first complaint because it was baked into the company culture.

But the company was too dumb to understand that I hated the company and was just biding my time for the stock vest, so they made me conduct interviews.

I just told the candidate that this company was a toxic wasteland, to look up the article, that everything in the article is true, and good luck.

If an interviewer basically tells you all this during the "do you have any questions for me" phase, then it's probably best to not join that company.

SomeGuyInSanJoseCa , Mikhail Nilov/pexels Report

Final score:

16points

ConstantlyJon 5 months ago

thank you for your service!

12points

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#28

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies When you ask about the training period during the interview and they say "we're still figuring that out"

Been at my job for almost a year and I have access to 10% of the systems I was "trained" on. Three of us were hired for this position, mid level IT stuff. They have almost no documentation, and they keep having to pull people from other teams to handle the systems we don't have access to yet. We've asked over and over again about getting access and everyone seems to think someone else is handling it... sometimes they say "checking" and then don't respond for a week.

I currently have maybe an hour of work a day because of this, so I'm not complaining. Still getting paid for 8! Working from home, so I have too much free time. But if you want a fulfilling career, this is certainly not it.

send_me_jokes_plz , Mizuno K /pexels Report

Final score:

15points

Elvira394 5 months ago (edited)

I am probably one of the rare people in the United States at least they can say I love my employer. I do high stress work, but that's the nature of my profession it doesn't matter who you work for. Working in mental health is just stressful. But I have an employer that when their contract ended unexpectedly and they had no work for me... literally paid me my full-time salary for a month knowing I was not working until they got a new contract designed specifically for me to put me back to work. And the first three months was like an hour or two of work a day per 12 hour shift, also worked from home. They finally got things balanced and now I'm busy on my 80 hour weeks. but they balance that out by giving me a seven on seven off schedule so I get 23 weeks off a year without using PTO. I have PTO on top of that. Great employer.

11points

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#29

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies I interviewed to be a lecturer for a university. They sought me out and wined and dined me for a couple days and did a few presentations on the university. The presentations were on a TV hooked up to a VHS. This was in 2014.

discostud1515 , cottonbro studio/pexels Report

Final score:

13points

Sven Horlemann 5 months ago

Embarrassing... and cute.

0points

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#30

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies I agree with everybody saying that "We're a family" is a huge red flag for any company. Hell, sometimes when it's the literal truth it still sucks. My cousin used to work for my uncle's company back when he was in college and he'd always complain about never being off the clock because his dad would ask him about work stuff when they were at home and if he complained or refused he'd get offended.

Tough_Stretch , Karolina Grabowska/pexels Report

Final score:

12points

yo mama's cookie 5 months ago (edited)

The last job I worked every family member was part of the company. The boss was the CEO, his wife the accountant and their three sons were there too. It was the most toxic enviroment I ever worked in. They fought, yelled and emotionally abused the s**t out of each other and of the coworkers too, when they were in the way. Sometimes I wonder how I survived that s**t.

4points

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#31

Sad employees.

lakerscryconfetti25 Report

Final score:

12points

Sue User 5 months ago

Oh god. I went for an interview once where half the desks were empty and everyone looked down when i came in.

5points

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#32

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies Literally everything in the restaurant industry.

Even when I worked fine dining, it was still a s**t show.

starkformachines , Andrea Piacquadio/pexels Report

Final score:

11points

ConstantlyJon 5 months ago

The industry is a mess, but if you're good at it, you make a s**t ton of money in that s**t show.

4points

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#33

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies Boss fondles your breasts instead of a handshake.

Late-Pin-3361 , Polina Zimmerman/pexels Report

Final score:

10points

Nano Iders 5 months ago

Oh, no. Not a red flag at all.. I think that may be, I don't know... a fücking crime!?

19points

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#34

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies Hiring you on the spot during first interview.

Fresh-Manager7331 , Tima Miroshnichenko/pexels Report

Final score:

8points

ColdSteelRonin 5 months ago

Was hired after the third. However, they all took place consecutively with the vice president, president and then the owner. Was on my way out the door when the president offered me the job. The titles were mostly a formality as the owner and president were brothers that owned the company, the "owner" just had more of a controlling interest and the VP was just the most senior project manager behind the president. Has worked out pretty well for the last 14 years

4points

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#35

“Wild Salary Ranges”: 35 Of The Biggest Red Flags Displayed By Hiring Companies They don't respond to resumes. After a month they get put in my "do not apply" list.

Most-Temporary-3130 , cottonbro studio/pexels Report

Final score:

6points

JennyH 5 months ago

Me, too but I was crushed this week when I got a rejection letter I applied to over a year ago! SARCASM

3points

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Miglė Miliūtė

A writer here at Bored Panda, I am a lover of good music, good food, and good company, which makes food-related topics and feel-good stories my favorite ones to cover. Passionate about traveling and concerts, I constantly seek occasions to visit places yet personally unexplored. I also enjoy spending free time outdoors, trying out different sports—even if I don’t look too graceful at it—or socializing over a cup of coffee.

A writer here at Bored Panda, I am a lover of good music, good food, and good company, which makes food-related topics and feel-good stories my favorite ones to cover. Passionate about traveling and concerts, I constantly seek occasions to visit places yet personally unexplored. I also enjoy spending free time outdoors, trying out different sports—even if I don’t look too graceful at it—or socializing over a cup of coffee.

Ieva Pečiulytė

I'm a Visual Editor for Bored Panda. I’m also an analog collage artist. My love for images and experience in layering goes well with both creating collages by hand and working with digital images as an Editor. When I’m not using my kitchen area as an art studio I also do various experiments making my own cosmetics or brewing kombucha. When I’m not at home you would most definitely find me attending a concert or walking my dog.

I'm a Visual Editor for Bored Panda. I’m also an analog collage artist. My love for images and experience in layering goes well with both creating collages by hand and working with digital images as an Editor. When I’m not using my kitchen area as an art studio I also do various experiments making my own cosmetics or brewing kombucha. When I’m not at home you would most definitely find me attending a concert or walking my dog.

What do you think are clear red flags of a company?

Jack Burton 5 months ago

I had a "i'm not sure about your motivations". What motivation ? Dude seriously.

3points

Papa 5 months ago

My motivations are to keep food on the table and a roof over my family's head.

1point

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Corinne Wheeler 5 months ago

The interview takes place in a coffee shop, but not to work there. So, the interviewee is forced to buy something to drink...

2points

Kristal 5 months ago

I'd like to know 'why' for most of these reasons. I do appreciate the ones that gave a 'why' though :)

1point

Jack Burton 5 months ago

I had a "i'm not sure about your motivations". What motivation ? Dude seriously.

3points

Papa 5 months ago

My motivations are to keep food on the table and a roof over my family's head.

1point

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Corinne Wheeler 5 months ago

The interview takes place in a coffee shop, but not to work there. So, the interviewee is forced to buy something to drink...

2points

Kristal 5 months ago

I'd like to know 'why' for most of these reasons. I do appreciate the ones that gave a 'why' though :)

1point

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