
30 Job Listings That Are So Insulting It’s Not Even Funny Anymore
Interview With ExpertA job ad should have a few simple components. Recruiters should list salary, benefits, flexibility, potential prospects, and company values. At least, that is what hiring experts are saying. In reality, job advertisements aren’t always like that.
We’ve collected the most ridiculous and insulting job listings we could find, and some of them might make you think: “What respectable company would actually post this?” From absurd working hours to laughable pay, some of these job ads have some pretty laughable requirements. Do you remember any nonsensical job listings from your job-seeking days, Pandas? If so, tell us about them in the comments!
Bored Panda reached out to two corporate world experts: manager trainer and the founder of Manager Method, Ashley Herd, and leadership coach and CEO of Beamably, Robyn L Garrett.
They both kindly agreed to have a chat with us about where these kinds of job postings come from, how organizations can improve their ads, and how job-seekers can navigate the frustrating waters of job searching.
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Actually Job Posting I Found Today
Apply For This Job! But Only If Your Portfolio Has No Gaps, Yet You Can Start For Me Tomorrow Without Needing To Work A 2 Week Notice For Your Precious Employment
This Is An Actual Job Posting...
They want to hire someone with a PhD (someone who has been in school at least 10 years), but pay then so low they would need to live like a struggling undergrad eating cheap ramen all the time... without guarantee they will be able to pay them at all for long
Seeing these job ads probably raises some questions when you encounter them. How is it possible that these postings actually got through? Does nobody vet them, or are some employers really so entitled they include these kinds of requirements? Robyn L Garrett, author of Happy At Work, says that some employers might just be that out of touch with reality.
"They can't understand why people won't be breaking down doors to work their low-paying, do-everything job," she explains. "To them, whatever meager salary they're offering is a lot. They're not researching enough to realize that it's not."
Corporate training, leadership development, and HR consulting specialist, Ashley Herd, agrees, saying that some companies might not understand how expensive life has gotten. "And those that do think that means they can take advantage of people who need income," she tells Bored Panda.
In Search Of Someone Who Doesn’t Value Their Time Whatsoever
No one is going to be there for the money. There would have to be some, first.
We Don’t Pay You, You Have To Pay Us
So you're going to need a job to pay for your job.
It Job Listing Requires 4 Months Of Unpaid Training For A 2 Month Internship
Some employers' lack of “real life” awareness might make them think they're in a vacuum, Herd explains. That's why some of them don't even question what they're doing. They might not even think that the absurd requirements on their job postings might be tone-deaf. Luckily, with social media, the absurd realities of job hunting can quickly come to the surface.
Herd also says that some recruiters believe workers need to earn the position at their company. "Many employers believe 'paying your dues' is necessary – including doing long, hard work for minimal pay." The sad thing is that, contrary to what the company believes, it's not beneficial for them or the employee.
Everything About This Job Listing
Wants To Hire A Photographer For 8 Hours. No Pay, But Will Put Your Name On The Flyer! (Yeah, No Thanks)
The logo will be on a flyer that will be seen by over 300 people! 300!!! Wow! /s
$6.25 An Hour 💀
So.... watch after FOUR kids, transport them all around to their various activities, for $25 a day? The transportation alone would probably cost $25 a day in gas, unless Mommy is letting you use THEIR car XD
People talk, especially on social media. So it can be easy for a company to quickly lose its reputation with a ridiculous or insulting job posting. Herd recommends recruiters keep social media in mind when posting an ad.
"Anything you put in a job posting, ask yourself, ‘If this were to be screenshot and put on social media, would it go viral for the wrong reasons?’ And if you don't have a sense of what might look so wrong that it goes viral – ask your assistant or family member," the corporate trainer recommends.
Job Ad: Caretaker Work For Free! No Wage! Bonus Power, Water And Bathroom Access!
Heck, that was MY job when I stayed living at home past age 18 to help take care of my disabled dad! :p Power, water, and bathroom access were all available to me, but no wages XD Joking aside, I did it because I loved my dad. I would not be a caregiver for anyone else outside of my immediate family for "NO WAGE".
Great Low Paying Job With A Friendly Boss!
"Hours are from 7:30 until we're done" but no breaks. Pretty sure that's illegal :3
Full Time Job No Pay
Leadership coach Robyn L Garrett says that companies need to clearly define the role in the ad. Ironically, this is what costs many businesses embarrassing mistakes, she says. "You should know what the job is, what it is usually called, and what responsibilities are typical," she lists some things that are essential to an appropriate job posting.
Girlfriend Is Looking For Jobs, Found An Opening For Slave Labor
As someone who used to work in the animal industry (zoos and wildlife parks) and fulfils these requirements - haha, sod off! If you require a batchelors, you're not hiring an apprentice, you're taking advantage of desperate people in an oversaturated field with shltty pay. The places that I worked at were all charities, and a batchelors would put you into above £15/h category, more if your qualification was veterinary.
You Better Be Reliable And On Time For This Incredibly Below Minimum Wage Job!
A Full $10/Hour!
I pay more than that to my house helper, and I'm on disability!
According to Garrett, recruiters shouldn't be afraid to look at what their competitors are doing. "If you can't find anything similar because the role just seems 'too specialized' or requires 'a little of everything,' then pump the breaks. There are thousands of active job listings to look at for reference and several salary database options. If you can't find comparable postings, you're not special – you're just disorganized," she points out.
An Employer With An Insane List Of Requirements For A Strenuous And Dangerous Job... That Only Pays $8.50 An Hour
Wants A Masters Degree For A Minimum Wage Job
Here, Take This Full Time Job For $1.50 An Hour, Oh And I'll Need You To Be My Personal Chauffeur Too
The founder of Manager Method, Ashley Herd, says that employers should think about balancing the costs as well. "If your workplace or role is so tough that it drives people away, you're likely going to spend far more in recruiting, training, and scrambling than if you made them more sustainable in the first place," she points out.
Shockingly, This Company Can't Find Anyone With 'Thick Skin' Willing To Work 8-5 And Be Available To Respond To Email And Calls For The Rest Of Their Waking Hours
It was just posted for the 4th time on a local job bank
er.... i'm a purchaser and i don't have to put up with this BS. no one should!
Now Hiring But Not Really!
An interviewer warned me indirectly [for in-house graphic designer job] "The boss is a control freak who expects you to work insane hours." She was saying things like, "He loooooves working with graphic designers" and "He won't make you work till 3 in the morning, but..." Sarcasm noted, so I gave a high salary expectation. Not that I expected him to be as generous with his money as he was with my time.
And just like that, l want to burn everything to the ground 🔥 Each one was worse than the previous
An interviewer warned me indirectly [for in-house graphic designer job] "The boss is a control freak who expects you to work insane hours." She was saying things like, "He loooooves working with graphic designers" and "He won't make you work till 3 in the morning, but..." Sarcasm noted, so I gave a high salary expectation. Not that I expected him to be as generous with his money as he was with my time.
And just like that, l want to burn everything to the ground 🔥 Each one was worse than the previous