BI Readers Share Their Biggest Turnoffs in Job Posts, Applications

We asked, and you answered.

Business Insider recently asked readers to tell us your biggest gripes with the job search, specifically the red flags that would put you off from a job post, application process, or interview.

As a recent Adobe Acrobat survey made clear, job seekers view some words or phrases as dead giveaways of trouble ahead.

More than 130 of you shared your least favorites. (Thank you!) Here’s what you told us:

Missing pay information

The majority of respondents said a lack of pay transparency, whether by omitting a pay range from a job post or including only an absurdly wide one, was a turnoff in a job post.

“If the salary is too low, it’s only wasting both our time when the company finally reveals it. If it’s too high, I know I won’t be competitive,” said Grant Maxfield. “But when it’s unlisted, I always assume the company is paying below market for the role and trying to cheat or lie to employees.”

Sense of humor

“Unless they are actually hiring a comedian to do stand-up, this is a sign of a workplace that’s dysfunctional beyond repair,” Rebecca Potance said.

Fast-paced working environment

One phrase that stands out to Brian Bissonnette is “fast-paced” working environment. “To me, that means strict quotas. No thanks,” he said.

Enthusiasm

For Kelley Murray, a frustration is job descriptions that say candidates must be “enthusiastic.” To her, that means: “Translation: younger applicant.”

Too many requirements

Another frequently cited red flag was a job with a laundry list of required qualifications for a role. Or, as Kathy Pistole said, “Putting so many must-haves that even Jesus himself couldn’t qualify for the role.”

Some readers also pointed to mismatches between a job and its responsibilities or pay, such as roles branded “entry-level” actually requiring several years of experience, or more senior roles paying entry-level salaries.

Lack of flexibility or work-life balance

Several respondents also told us that having the flexibility to work remotely, some or all of the time, and having a schedule conducive to work-life balance was important to them.