Red Flags to Watch Out for in a Job Offer

You might feel pressured to accept a job offer when you get it on the spot at the end of an interview. However, being offered a job on the spot may be a red flag. If they tell you you're hired and that they want you to start tomorrow, consider why they're hiring so urgently. Do they have a high turnover rate? Did someone suddenly quit or get fired? There could be a good reason such as a seasonal rush or sudden boom in business, but it's wise to at least ask for a day to read over and consider the offer.

You can also get a clearer idea of the company culture and environment by meeting the other employees. If you're not allowed to meet any of your future colleagues, this is a bad sign. While you may not get to meet the whole team, you should at least have some idea of who you'll be working with.

Another red flag is if the job description is vague or misleading. You should have a fairly clear picture of what your duties are before accepting an offer. The job description and salary should be similar to what was listed in the advertisement. Of course there's room for negotiation, but make sure you know what the terms are.

If you have to sign a contract, read it carefully and beware of one-sided contracts. For example, you have to give six months notice, but the company can let you go at any time; you can't take any similar employment in the city for an entire year after leaving the company. The legality of such terms varies by country, but a company that sets terms like this doesn't care about its employees.

Do research on the company online to see what former employees say. One bad review might be an individual's problem, but if it has a two-star average out of 50 reviews, run away! It's better to wait for a stable job than to accept an offer and regret it.