7 ways to spot a bad employer before accepting a job offer

When receiving a job offer, there are more elements to consider before accepting the employment opportunity than simply the salary and benefits offered; prospective management is among these highly important determinants. After all, a manager who is great for someone might not be ideal for everybody else, which is why you need to ask yourself what it is that you want and don’t want in your manager.

If you know what management style you prefer, you will be able to notice the signs that indicate a bad employer. Here are some of the signs Bayt.com recommends all job seekers to stay aware of:

1. Vague job descriptions

A manager who doesn’t really know the vacant job cannot clearly explain your responsibilities in simple words, tell you what milestones you’ll be expected to achieve, or show you how you will get promoted. Inability to specify these elements means that the manager hasn’t fully thought about what she or he really needs from you. This is the type of manager who is more likely to surprise you with job responsibilities and outcomes different from what you agree to.

2. Negative office energy

When you walk into the office for your interview you should be very aware of the energy level. Pay attention to the general atmosphere as well as the employees’ demeanor. Do the employees seem relaxed and happy? Or do they seem stressed and disconnected? Pay attention to your potential coworkers’ behavior and watch how they interact with their supervisors as it can tell you so much about the work environment you might be joining.

3. Disorganization of the office

If the people interviewing you seem unready or unprepared, paperwork is scattered all over the place, or they are asking questions that are clearly answered in your resume, then those are also bad signs. This could mean that your interviewers haven’t taken a look at your resume prior to your arrival. If the managers and interviewers are disorganized then that probably reflects that the work environment is disorganized as well.

4. Inappropriate interview behavior

The interviewer should always treat you professionally and respectfully. For example if they show up late for your interview, it is likely to suggest that they don’t truly value you or your time. You can quickly tell when an interviewer is being rude, impolite and unprofessional. If they’re checking emails during the interview, constantly making or receiving calls, or even stepping out of the office, then you should know that this is also the type of interaction you will have with your manager once you are hired.

5. More talking than listening

It is true that during the interview, you should be learning more about the employer and the company, but this should go both ways. If the employers only talk about themselves and their interests without regard to your own goals and needs, then that is a sign that your employer is not a good listener or is not accommodating.

6. Asking very personal questions

If a manager asks questions about your religion, marital status or irrelevant demographical enquiries, it shows that the manager isn’t trained on ethical interview practices. Such questions are sometimes considered illegal during a job interview and only show an employer’s insensitivity to such personal matters.

7. Poor employee feedback

Existing employees might not be comfortable to talk candidly about their managers as it could cause them problems. However, former employees don’t have that concern and you can ask them about your future manager. You certainly don’t need to, and probably shouldn’t, go through the hiring company to contact their former employees. Fortunately, the internet is the tool; using websites like bayt.com, which gives you the option to search for a specific company and find a list of professionals who used to work there. You can easily contact them and get your answers right away in order to make a more confident decision regarding your job offer.

Bayt.com is the #1 job site in the Middle East with more than 40,000 employers and over 26,500,000 registered job seekers from across the Middle East, North Africa and the globe, representing all industries, nationalities and career levels. Post a job or find jobs on www.bayt.com today and access the leading resource for job seekers and employers in the region.