Job Searchers Beware: Employers Don’t Always Tell You Everything
One of the fears that someone who has been out of work has is that they will appear desperate to prospective employers. Explaining why you have been out of work often takes some creativity on the part of the unemployed worker. What many job seekers do not think about is that there are some employers that are desperate also. Being wise to them may save you from accepting a position that is wrong for you.
If you have been looking for a job for a long time, you may have come across the same ad repeatedly for the same company. With so many people out of work and looking, why is the employer not finding anyone to fill the position?
A prospective employer should spell out all requirements for the job when they interview you. An employer who is desperate to fill a position is a red flag to a job seeker. Don't let your need for employment cloud your judgement. If an employer is having difficulty filling a position maybe there is a good reason why. Here are some possible reasons why an employer is desperate for help in these times of high unemployment.
1- They pay very little but want a lot from the employee.
Employers realize that with a high unemployment rate they can have their pick of workers but some take advantage of this and offer low pay but want too much for it.
2- The job position has hidden responsibilities.
Especially in sales or management positions, some employers who just want to fill the position fail to tell the employee all the expectations they have in order to not "scare" a prospective employee away.
3- Bad management.
Lots of inexperience or lack of following company policy can make for a company that has positions to fill but only has drama to offer to the new employee. A prospective employee may be told different descriptions of the open position depending on who they speak to at the company. You may even hear bashing of one manager from another. Overall- when during the interview process you witness un-business like behavior, run!
4- Sloppy business procedures.
Imagine being a job seeker and getting called for an interview. You show up on time but the person who scheduled you for the interview is a no-show. Even though you want to work, do you really want to work at a company that is so disorganized that the person in charge of hiring doesn't show to an interview? Unless you plan on replacing them, maybe you should think twice.
Finding a job in a difficult economy is challenging but just because an employer shows interest in you, it doesn't mean that you should not investigate whether they are worthy of your talents.
Written by Priscilla Benfield