Younger Workers Try To Spot These ‘Red Flags’ When Job Hunting

In previous generations, spending countless hours at work in order to get ahead was often the price that professionals were willing to pay. Generation Z, on the other hand, has countered that “workaholic” lifestyle by prioritizing a healthier work-life balance.

Of course, not all employers have come around to this new way of looking at work — and young adults are starting to share some of the signs that taking a prospective job might not be worth the emotional toll.

Instead of directly asking about whether work-life balance is a priority (which some folks think could doom an otherwise promising job interview), here are some of the “red flags” that Gen Z job hunters have identified:

• Disproportionately small teams: While it’s clearly a bad sign if an employer gives one person a huge task load, it’s not much better if ambitious ventures are split up among members of a very small team. You might want to ask a hiring manager about what types of projects are ongoing and how many people are working on them.
• No time for outside pursuits: In too many workplaces, employees are expected to not only put in long hours in the office but also remain available even during supposed downtime. Inquiring about what employees like to do for fun might give you some idea of how much manager value providing time to rest, relax, and pursue non-work interests.
• Keeping expectations under wraps: If a manager isn’t willing to provide some clear goals and metrics for achieving them, it might be a sign that the goalposts will keep moving after the job starts. The best response to a question on this topic will include transparency regarding how success is measured — and anything less could be a big warning sign.

Chris Agee March 14th, 2023

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