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When you’re getting out into “the real world”, you need all the help and advice you can get.
I remember when I first moved to Chicago after college and a guy told me to show up at his house and to come prepared to learn! But…he didn’t tell me what the job was…that was a huge red flag and of course I didn’t go…
My point is that it’s better to soak up as much knowledge as you can before you take any kind of job.
AskReddit users talked about the job-hunting and career red flags that young people should look out for. Let’s take a look.
1. That’s not good.
“”We work hard, we play hard”.
Expect more of the working and less of the playing.
And alcoholism. Lots and lots of alcoholics”
2. All true.
“If a job hires you on the spot it’s most likely because they’re desperate.
If a place has a high turnover, it’s a sh*t place to work.
Lastly, if you’re thinking of leaving a job, make sure you have a backup.”
3. They suck!
“”ALWAYS HIRING”.
If a job is always hiring and they always have ads out on the internet or in the window…there is a reason and that reason is that they suck!”
4. Avoid at all costs.
“If you have to initially pay something out of pocket to work for that company, it is probably an MLM pyramid scheme and not a real job.”
5. Red flags.
“”Be Your Own Boss” “Set Your Own Hours” “Unlimited Income Potential”
Giant red flags to avoid. You’ll be the boss to the friends and other fools you’ve suckered in. Setting those hours? Be prepared to work 60 hours or more a week. That unlimited income potential is for your upline.
For you? On a good week, you will make minimum wage for 40 hours, only you’ll work 70 hours more to make it, and you’ll have to use your car, your gas, and your supplies.
Flip burgers instead.”
6. Pay attention.
“When visiting a prospective workplace, just like when touring a home, keep an eye on the surrounding area.
Does everyone look happy and upbeat or is the place drab and depressing?
Does everyone look overworked or like they’re enjoying their day?”
7. Pro tips.
“Gonna be honest, you, as a younger kid will 100% get taken advantage of by 98% of work places.
Know your rights as a worker, don’t tolerate bullsh*t.
Basically try to be as diplomatic as possible, don’t actively burn bridges, but definitely be willing to stand up for yourself.
Also CYA (COVER YOUR *SS). That means, make sure any time off requests etc. scheduling things, extra tasks that get put upon you, GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING OR EMAIL.
I cannot stress this enough.
If someone’s like “Hey can you do X for a little/no extra pay?” and you’re inclined to do it, GET THAT IN WRITING.
Need a vacation don’t ask verbally, GET IT IN WRITING.
Asked to do something that feels off or sketchy? GET IT IN WRITING.”
8. Beware of scams.
“If you get invited to an interview and they have a big group of people sitting in a room and watching a slideshow first about what they do but it doesn’t really say what they do, it’s a scam.
Also nobody in this “company” was older than 25.”
9. Good stuff here.
“Don’t be afraid to get fired. So many places will try to get you to quit because then they don’t have to pay unemployment.
If a place does that “group interview” sh*t and you didn’t apply for sales, don’t be afraid to walk out. They are wasting your time (ie I went for an office manager job and they tried to put me on insurance sales in a group interview.)
Track your breaks. I had one job try and say I kept “disappearing” and it was because they “forgot” they let me have a break to use the restroom.”
10. Labor jobs are pretty good.
“The most important lesson I learned is that no one is above manual labor like warehouse jobs and those kinds of places are always hiring, hand out hours like candy, and pay pretty competitively compared to retail work and other entry level work.
Principles are great and career aspirations are great but sometimes you’re in a period of life where you just need to make money and you don’t want to deal with customers. That’s when working in that field is ideal. Not great for a career but fantastic for staying in shape and making a decent living without the side effect of hating the general public that comes with working retail or food service like most teenagers end up doing.
Might even have an opportunity to be forklift trained and be able to parlay that experience into a decent gig that can pay your way through college.”
11. Think about the future.
“Think long term.
Work backwards from the result you want and then think of the things that will get you those results.
If you just think about what you need now, you will spend a lot of time living hand-to-mouth.”
12. Do your research.
“Look at company reviews on Glassdoor.
People will be open and honest about their experiences at the company. Also, be careful about certain “marketing/sales” positions-if the job description is vague
You may just find out during the interview that it’s a glorified door-to-door sales job. This happened to me more than once.”
13. Let’s end with this advice.
“Get everything in writing.
Days off are more important than you think they are.
Do your research and know what you should be paid before you ever talk money. Don’t be afraid to counter-offer. They’ve spent a lot of money and effort on you already to get to the point they’re offering a contract.
Interviews go both ways. You are also interviewing them to see if you’re a good fit.
Expect every company to try and take advantage of you.”
What do you think are some red flags young people need to look out for when they enter the workforce?
Tell us what you think in the comments.
Thanks in advance!
