6 Ways to Spot a Bad Employer Before it's Too Late

• 2-minute read •
Identify companies you don’t want to work for before you accept an offer.
Some bad employers wave red flags in your face, while others present more subtle signs. You should be ready to notice both.
Here are six ways to spot a bad employer before you take a job that will turn into a nightmare down the road.

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Danger: Bad Job Ahead

For job seekers, especially those who have been looking for work for a while, receiving an employment offer is cause for serious celebration. So it's not surprising that many accept a new position with little hesitation.

But before signing on the dotted line, step back and consider if the opportunity is right for you. While in some cases a pressing need for quick cash may outweigh any potential drawbacks to a new role, if you are in a position to be selective, it can be wise to consider every angle. After all, a position with a company isn't a short-term affair.

Following are some warning signs to watch out for to help ensure the job offer you've been dreaming of doesn't lead to a nightmare work experience:

No written job offer

If you are accepting a professional position with a fairly large firm, a written offer is important because it ensures that you and the employer are on the same wavelength when it comes to pay, responsibilities and other important details about the job. Warning sign no. 1 is if you aren't given an offer letter at all or any concrete details of the position and pay.

Ideally, you want to get the following in writing:

Your job title

The names of the people you will be reporting to

Your starting salary or wage

Any special requirements or agreements, such as details regarding moving costs, a signing-on fee or the fact that your position requires extensive travel

If the written offer differs in any way from what you discussed with the recruiting manager, notify the person so he or she can issue you an updated statement. If the information is still not what you expected and the potential employer doesn't take steps to correct it, it could mean that what you were promised during the interview process won't become reality.

You're pressured to make a decision

Taking on a new job is a potentially life-changing decision. As such, an organisation should give you adequate time – usually a few days – to mull things over. If you're pressured to accept an offer on the spot, ask yourself why the company is in such a rush. Is the firm in desperate need of somebody – anybody – to fill the vacant job? Is the recruiting manager hoping you accept an offer below your true worth? Once on board, will you be pressured to make other decisions without being given the opportunity to weigh the options? Proceed with caution.

The process takes far too long

You first job interview with a potential employer was four months ago. Since then, you've been called back for a number of follow-up meetings, each of which you think went really well. But with no job offer in the offing, you're starting to wonder what more you have to prove – and how much longer you'll have to wait.

Finding the right person for an open position takes time, especially for higher-level roles. In fact, research conducted by Robert Half International indicates that companies interview an average of six job candidates for each vacant position. Given the deliberate approach many firms are taking, it shouldn't be surprising that you aren't asked to join the organisation within a few days of submitting your C.V.

However, if the process drags on for months without sufficient explanation from the recruiting manager, consider it a warning sign. The company may still be in the process drawing up a job description for the position, meaning the end result could be very different to what you applied for. Or the firm may be unsure of its ability to pay for another full-time employee.

You and your colleagues don't mix

During the interview process, you probably met with a few potential colleagues, including your future boss. Getting along with the people you work with is crucial to not only your daily satisfaction but also your professional future. Minor variations in work style are manageable, but fundamental differences could mean turbulence once you're on the job. Take heed if you had trouble creating a rapport with these individuals or sense the potential for conflict.

The corporate culture is questionable

Corporate culture varies widely from one place of employment to the next, and if your personality is not compatible with your future firm's, then the chances are the job will not go smoothly. For example, you may be used to a boisterous work environment and be uncomfortable at the new firm, where employees can practically hear a pin drop. Or you may prefer to keep your professional and personal lives separate, leading to awkward situations if your new colleagues socialise frequently after work.

Remember that once you accept a job offer, whether verbally or in writing, it's hard to change your mind. Backing out of the deal could significantly harm your professional reputation and burn any bridges you have with that employer. So, before saying yes, look at the entire package – from salary and benefits to colleagues and corporate culture – and make sure there are no warning signs that the job is not for you.

How Bizarre: Avoiding Bad Interview Behavior

Would you ever ask an interviewer for a cigarette? Or send your sister to meet a potential employer in your place? Or arrive with a bird on your shoulder? Probably not, but job seekers have done each of these things -- and worse -- according to a new survey.

The folks who committed these professional faux pas probably didn't intend on doing so, but because they didn't follow the four rules below, they made themselves susceptible to bizarre behaviors. Remember these tips -- or be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

1. Be Prepared

Before any interview, you've got a considerable amount of homework ahead of you. Make sure you carefully research the company at which you're interviewing and try to learn as much as you can about the position and your interviewer as possible.

One executive revealed that a potential employee was so unprepared that he "got his companies confused and repeatedly mentioned the strengths of a competing firm, thinking that's who he was interviewing with." Another called his interviewer by the wrong name throughout the entirety of the meeting.

Always give yourself a few extra moments to prep for your interview, either on the train or subway, or while you're waiting in the lobby. Review people's names, the company's focus, and your potential responsibilities and go in with a clear head.

2. Be Mindful of Your Body Language

Even if you're nervous during an interview, you must avoid displaying any behaviors that might make you appear so. Another respondent revealed, "A job seeker gestured with his hands so much that he sat on them to stop it."

Also, make sure you're focused and alert. Interviews can go on for a long while, so go in well-rested with enough food in your system to go the distance. One unfortunate interviewee fell asleep during an interview.

3. Dress Appropriately

The best bet for almost any interview is a simple business suit. As long as it's appropriate for the office, you won't look like you're trying too hard -- or not hard enough. A hiring manager told, "Someone showed up for an interview in pajamas and his hair not combed, like he had just rolled out of bed."

Also, whatever you're wearing, check to make sure it doesn't need darning or cleaning. Adds another interviewer, "[A] candidate had a big rip in the back of his pants."

4. Choose Your Words Carefully

You've got to think on your toes during an interview, regardless of how prepared you are. There are always a couple of questions even the most savvy professionals fail to anticipate. If you're caught off guard by a question, take a deep breath, reiterate the question, and answer slowly and thoughtfully. Shares an interviewer, "[One] applicant was doing really well in the interview until she got to the reason she left her other job. She told us everyone was out to get her."

Expert says, "Although extreme, these examples illustrate the importance of interview basics. To be considered for a job, candidates must prepare well, dress appropriately, and provide compelling information about themselves."

5 Bad Excuses for Calling in Sick

At some point in time it happens to the best of us. We become disengaged with our jobs, boss or just life in general. Getting out of bed and making it to work feels like a job unto itself, and you wonder, "Why bother?"

Here are five bad excuses for giving in to the call-in-sick urge:

1. Your job is boring, and you no longer feel challenged.

Would you still feel like staying home if you were doing something to change the direction of your life? Maybe you chose not to return to school to finish your degree, so you have limited options. It is never too late to return to school. You can go part-time, full-time and even just weekends. There is also an entire world of online courses that knows no borders.

2. You work for a terrible manager.

You are not alone. According to a recent Gallup Management Journal (GMJ) survey of U.S. employees, nearly one-quarter of U.S. employees (24%) would fire their bosses if given the chance. And as many as 51% of actively disengaged workers would get rid if their leader if they could. The odds are pretty high that if you left your company because of your boss, you would encounter a similar situation at your next place of employment. Do your job well, and it will not be long before you are promoted out from under this person.

3. You are unable to meet tomorrow's project deadline.

Most likely you knew days ago this would happen. It may feel better to hide under the covers, but others are counting on you to complete your part of the project. Show up at your desk and ask your boss or other team members for assistance. Try and do a better job of planning, so you can avoid this from happening again.

4. You would rather be golfing.

Who wouldn't? Unless you are working for Callaway Golf Company, you are not being paid to be on the links. If you set your alarm for an early wake-up and get your work done, you will have plenty of time to play the back nine holes before the sun sets on the horizon.

5. You arrived home an hour before the start of the work day.

Poor "time management" on your part should not result in other people picking up your slack. Put on a pot of coffee, eat something healthy, and take a shower. It is your responsibility to show up for work.

If you are increasingly feeling the need to call in sick, then it may be time for a checkup. Schedule time off so you can reflect on the parts of your life that are no longer working. Think about what you can do today to cure whatever is ailing you.

Danger: Bad Job Ahead

For job seekers, especially those who have been looking for work for a while, receiving an employment offer is cause for serious celebration. So it's not surprising that many accept a new position with little hesitation.

But before signing on the dotted line, step back and consider if the opportunity is right for you. While in some cases a pressing need for quick cash may outweigh any potential drawbacks to a new role, if you are in a position to be selective, it can be wise to consider every angle. After all, a position with a company isn't a short-term affair.

Following are some warning signs to watch out for to help ensure the job offer you've been dreaming of doesn't lead to a nightmare work experience:

No written job offer
If you are accepting a professional position with a fairly large firm, a written offer is important because it ensures that you and the employer are on the same wavelength when it comes to pay, responsibilities and other important details about the job. Warning sign no. 1 is if you aren't given an offer letter at all or any concrete details of the position and pay.

Ideally, you want to get the following in writing:

Your job title

The names of the people you will be reporting to

Your starting salary or wage

Any special requirements or agreements, such as details regarding moving costs, a signing-on fee or the fact that your position requires extensive travel

If the written offer differs in any way from what you discussed with the recruiting manager, notify the person so he or she can issue you an updated statement. If the information is still not what you expected and the potential employer doesn't take steps to correct it, it could mean that what you were promised during the interview process won't become reality.

You're pressured to make a decision
Taking on a new job is a potentially life-changing decision. As such, an organisation should give you adequate time – usually a few days – to mull things over. If you're pressured to accept an offer on the spot, ask yourself why the company is in such a rush. Is the firm in desperate need of somebody – anybody – to fill the vacant job? Is the recruiting manager hoping you accept an offer below your true worth? Once on board, will you be pressured to make other decisions without being given the opportunity to weigh the options? Proceed with caution.

The process takes far too long
You first job interview with a potential employer was four months ago. Since then, you've been called back for a number of follow-up meetings, each of which you think went really well. But with no job offer in the offing, you're starting to wonder what more you have to prove – and how much longer you'll have to wait.

Finding the right person for an open position takes time, especially for higher-level roles. In fact, research conducted by Robert Half International indicates that companies interview an average of six job candidates for each vacant position. Given the deliberate approach many firms are taking, it shouldn't be surprising that you aren't asked to join the organisation within a few days of submitting your C.V.

However, if the process drags on for months without sufficient explanation from the recruiting manager, consider it a warning sign. The company may still be in the process drawing up a job description for the position, meaning the end result could be very different to what you applied for. Or the firm may be unsure of its ability to pay for another full-time employee.

You and your colleagues don't mix
During the interview process, you probably met with a few potential colleagues, including your future boss. Getting along with the people you work with is crucial to not only your daily satisfaction but also your professional future. Minor variations in work style are manageable, but fundamental differences could mean turbulence once you're on the job. Take heed if you had trouble creating a rapport with these individuals or sense the potential for conflict.

The corporate culture is questionable
Corporate culture varies widely from one place of employment to the next, and if your personality is not compatible with your future firm's, then the chances are the job will not go smoothly. For example, you may be used to a boisterous work environment and be uncomfortable at the new firm, where employees can practically hear a pin drop. Or you may prefer to keep your professional and personal lives separate, leading to awkward situations if your new colleagues socialise frequently after work.

Remember that once you accept a job offer, whether verbally or in writing, it's hard to change your mind. Backing out of the deal could significantly harm your professional reputation and burn any bridges you have with that employer. So, before saying yes, look at the entire package – from salary and benefits to colleagues and corporate culture – and make sure there are no warning signs that the job is not for you.