Last week, we looked at red flags in a job post so let’s switch gears and look at the green flags! What should you look for in a job post that makes it more likely this is a company that actually knows what it’s doing and is at least less rife in drama and confusion?
Remember that job pots are an important piece of information for you the job seeker. Of course most people look at them as a checklist of wants and needs for the company, which you try to match as much as possible with your resume, but the post itself can give you a lot of information about the company behind it. Has it been up for a while? Is it rife with vague, ambiguous language? Have you seen it posted several times over the past few months? All of these things can give you some insight into the company itself and tell you want to watch out for.
So what should you be looking for to give you the feeling that the company is a decent one?
The Salary Range is Listed Clearly and It’s Fair
More and more job posts are showing you the compensation range, which is a good thing as it lets you make an informed decision about whether the job will work for you financially. But it also shows that company is transparent about its pay and how much respect they have for their candidates. Money should never be a taboo topic since you need to know if it’s worth your while financially to try to secure that position.
The Job Description is Specific
And it’s clearly written! You know what the responsibilities of the job are, what they are looking for in terms of skills, personality traits, and even get an idea of what success looks like. The more well-written and clear the job post, the more thought and care went into and that sort of care tends to bleed over into every other element of that organization too. It’s just beneficial all around to make sure that job candidates know exactly what they are getting into.
You Know What the Hiring Process Is Like
A really good job posting won’t leave you wondering if you’ll be ghosted half way through the process or if you’ll suddenly get an unpaid project dumped on your lap in the guise of proving yourself. When the hiring process is clearly detailed in the post, you’re not left in the dark as to what to expect. This includes when the job post will be closed for applications, a timeline (even rough) on when prospects will be contacted, and even things like how many interviews there will be.
The Requirements Make Sense
A job post that has a list of qualifications that actually makes sense is a huge relief. It shows what is actually needed for prior knowledge and experience and shows how it scales with the position. It can also be a shown as a ‘wish-list’ (such as XYZ degree Or X Years Relevant Experience), which widens the hiring pool and gives a more diverse group of people to pull in. This not only shows that the company knows exactly what it wants (and would like) and why, but also that they are willing to concede on a few things and know that no one is a perfect fit, but everyone can try to get as close as possible.
Authentic Values and Culture
More and more job seekers are very interested in a company’s culture and values and want to work in places that align with their own values. A job posting that talks about the company’s culture in specific, genuine terms is therefore, something of a gold star. But avoid companies that use generic buzzwords; instead, you want specifics such as how the team dynamics actually behave, how decisions are made, work-life balance, and so on. Just like you want to be specific in your resume, a company should be specific when discussing how they differ from their competition.
The Benefits Package is Properly Described
Not having a benefits package in the job post isn’t really a red flag, but having one talked about in detail is definitely a green flag. It shows that the company is proud of what they offer and gives you specific ideas of what sort of benefits you can expect. This is just comforting to know, especially if you need something specific. It also shows that the company has put a lot of thought in how best to support their employees.
The Job Post Mentions Learning Opportunities
Continuous learning is one of the cornerstones of basic employment skills and more employers should be getting on board with it for their employees. When the job post mentions things like professional development, paths for advancement, mentorship, or regular updates on training, it shows that they want to invest in their employees and envisions keeping them in the long-term. It doesn’t have to be much, but a company mentioning investing in long-term success or continuous learning is a green flag.
Flexibility/Work From Home Options are Honestly Laid Out
A larger percentage of job seekers want flexible work options or the ability to work from home at least part (if not all) of the time. And for a while, companies were really avoiding talking about it. But nowadays, that’s considered a red flag. Companies that do directly address the expectation of the work arrangement is a good sign, especially when they explain why they are doing it that way. You know what to expect and can filter jobs accordingly, and employers get workers where everyone wants them to be.
Team Collaboration is Highlighted
And again, we don’t mean buzzy words like ‘be part of a high stakes team’, but instead mentioning which teams you’ll work with, the type of work you’ll be doing, or how you’ll work with leadership, you can expect that the company itself will be more team focused rather than siloed. For many people, this is a green flag as a collaborative environment tends to be more productive, and the company tends to be better at communicating.
The Posting Has a Welcoming Tone
Inclusive language, encouraging diversity, and clean requirements that don’t exclude too many people are all good signs that the company itself values inclusivity and diversity. It’s more likely that you’ll be valued and respected in this company compared to a very generic, sterile, or cold job posting.
So, there you have it! Job posts are pretty important tools to pay close attention to when it comes to looking for work. Not only does it tell you what you need to have and stress on your resume to have the best chance to land an interview, but it also gives you excellent insight into the company itself so that you can decide if you actually want to be there.
Good luck!
