Green Flags To Look For When Applying For Jobs
Interviews aren’t just for businesses to decide if you’re the right fit for them; interviews should be used by candidates such as yourself to determine whether or not you really want to spend eight or more hours a day working for the company. Here are just a few green flags to look for when applying to jobs.
When interviewing for a job, there are many things you want to hear from an interviewer and many you don’t. You can determine which jobs and companies are right for you based on the type of interview you have and how you think it went when all is said and done.
Remember, interviews aren’t just for businesses to decide if you’re the right fit for them; interviews should be used by candidates such as yourself to determine whether or not you really want to spend eight or more hours a day working for the company.
Here are just a few green flags to look for when applying to jobs.
Job Posting States Salary Range & Benefits
Many businesses don’t post salaries for a position for several reasons. We can give companies the benefit of the doubt by saying it’s because salary will be based upon your experience however it’s more likely that companies don’t post salary ranges because they either don’t know how much someone with your experience should be paid, or they intend to deliver you the lowest possible amount.
In their job postings, transparent companies that state salaries will be seen as more trustworthy companies to work for. They will explicitly state what they’re willing to pay employees based on their experience without the need to give you a lowball offer just because they feel like they can. So instead of applying for just any job, apply for jobs with companies who state the salary ranges on job postings to ensure you won’t get a low offer.
Of course, you can and should also apply to jobs that don’t state salary. However, it’s crucial during the interview process to address your salary requirements before you waste any more time trying to get a job with a company that won’t ever pay you what you’re worth.
Suppose a company isn’t willing to negotiate your salary based on what you believe you’re worth or what you were previously paid for a similar position. In that case, it’s best to move on unless you’re absolutely desperate.
Just like salary, knowing the types of employee benefits a job offers can also help you decide whether working for a company is right for you. For example, suppose a company does not offer health and dental insurance, but another one does. In that case, you may choose to apply for the job with a better benefits package to help offset the costs of your potential medical expenses. Some unique employee benefits include unlimited PTO, investments in cryptocurrency, travel discounts and mental health services.
Clear Interview Process
A clear interview process shows that a prospective employer is respectful of a candidate’s time by telling them what’s expected of them throughout their recruitment journey. It also shows that a company has made an effort to remain organized, which is likely prevalent throughout the entire business structure. For example, a clear interview process might include stating deadlines for applications, when candidates can hear back after an interview, and the next steps.
Clarifying the process demonstrates that the employer cares about getting to know candidates without wasting their time. It also impacts how candidates such as yourself feel about a potential workplace. After all, you’d rather work for a company that has all of its important processes in place than one that’s constantly disorganized.
Interview Questions Are Conversational
Nobody wants to walk into an interview and feel like they’re being interrogated. If an interview feels more like a conversation than a Q&A, you and the interviewer are getting along well and likely understand one another, making conversation simple and easy.
Even though hiring managers are used to performing job interviews, it can still be just as awkward for them to interview you as it is for you to be interviewed. By making yourself and your interviewer comfortable enough to have a conversation, you can set yourself apart from the competition.
Additionally, if an interview is relaxed and laid back, it shows their experience in hiring for a role similar to yours.
You’re Introduced To Potential Coworkers Or Given A Tour
If the interviewer wants to spend more time with you in the office after the interview is over, odds are you got the job. For example, after an interview, the hiring manager might offer to show you a tour of the offices and introduce you to potential coworkers. If this happens, it’s a good sign the interviewer believes you might be a good fit for the role.
Remember, you should never expect to be hired because you were given a tour; it might be a regular part of how they perform interviews to see how you react to new people and surroundings.
They Ask Deal Closing Questions
If the interviewer asks you when you can start at the end of the interview, you’re in a good spot to be potentially hired. Of course, they might ask everyone this question to see who they can get into the office as quickly as possible. It’s rare to hear deal closing questions during the first interview, but it happens more often than you think. When an interviewer starts to ask you questions to help them close the deal with you, they are thinking about hiring you as soon as possible.
Deal closing questions might be:
- How much notice do you need to give your current employer?
- Can you send us a list of references?
- What are your salary expectations?
Always be honest when answering deal closing questions. For example, if you want to start a new job immediately, you should still try to give your current employer at least two weeks’ notice (or whatever is in your contract).
Future employers will like that you’re still dedicated to your current job and give your employer the respect they deserve by giving them a two-week notice. Usually, it means you’ll give your new employer the same level of respect and won’t leave them hanging if you find a better opportunity elsewhere.
Green Flags Don’t Mean You Got It
While you might notice some or even all of these green flags, they don’t necessarily mean you got the job. However, they can portray that the employer is respectful of candidates and their time and may be able to keep your resume on file for future positions. If you don’t get the job, try to reach out to the hiring manager to learn about what you could have done differently.
Remember, no workplace is perfect, but some will have more green flags during the hiring process than others. Because this is your first opportunity to get to know the business, pay attention to positives and negatives to ensure you’re making the right decision if you’re hired.
While green flags can help you find the best employer, red flags can also help you avoid toxic workplaces. Never ignore red flags, even if there are many green flags, and always trust your gut before signing an offer letter.
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