People Are Sharing The "Red Flags" In Job Postings That Immediately Scream, "Do NOT Apply," And Yikes

People Are Sharing The "Red Flags" In Job Postings That Immediately Scream, "Do NOT Apply," And Yikes

Dannica Ramirez

Sun, December 14, 2025 at 7:31 PM UTC

4 min read

Recently, Redditor u/AmaraMehdi asked Reddit community members to share the "red flags" in job postings that immediately turn them off from applying, and I honestly never even thought twice about some of these. Here are the job posting "icks" that make people not want to apply at all:

1. "When the job listing has no salary on it, yet there's a line claiming that the company offers a 'competitive salary.' That tells me that the role has no set annual salary. The company will try its luck and make it up as it goes along. During your interview, they will make you a borderline-insulting low-ball offer and pray that you accept it."

A professional woman is interviewed in an office setting; interviewer holds a resume, visible on laptop — PixeloneStocker / Getty Images

—SlapDatBassBro

2. "'Salary to be determined later.' WHY the hell would I go through three job interviews, only to know how low the salary is?"

—Ok_Cloud_8555

3. "Anything that claims they're a self-starter. That means they won't train you, but they will blame you if anything goes wrong or gets missed."

—Digginginthesand

4. "I recently read one job posting that had 'homework' as part of the interview process. No, I'm not working on a project and solving a problem for you for free."

—spiritunafraid

5. "Anything that mentions the workplace being 'like a family' is a red flag."

A group of people in business attire celebrate on a balcony with playful props, overlooking a city and river — Maskot / Getty Images/Maskot

—Paul-Kersey

6. "'We wear many hats.'"

—FattyMcTons

"That means you will do the job of several people."

—bengalfan

7. "When they say 'fast-paced environment,' it usually means chaos, low pay, and no support."

—gamersecret2

8. "Jobs that use the word 'average' when listing their pay rate. Like, 'Average yearly pay: $X–$Y.' This means that the pay is commission-based, and the hourly pay is much lower than what they're advertising."

—String-Tree

9. "When the company requests you to record a video of yourself in the application form. Maybe it's common practice, but it's sketchy to me. You want to see me and hear me? Set up a call, and we can talk and see each other."

Person in glasses sitting at a table, looking stressed at a laptop. Red coffee cup in foreground. Indoor setting suggests work-related stress — Yana Iskayeva / Getty Images

—IJustGotRektSon

10. "If the job description is really vague and could apply to just about anyone, that's a pretty good sign of a pyramid scheme. Bonus points if they use the word 'growth' more than once."

—SailorVenus23

11. "Anything to do with multi-level marketing."

—Icy-Constant193

12. "'Flexible schedule' does not mean they flex around your needs. It means they can (and will) schedule you or ask you to cover any available shift, including weekends and overnights, if the company is staffed during those times."

—KariOnWaywardOne

13. "'ARE YOU READY TO BE A ROCKSTAR?!' Jesus, no, that sounds excruciating."

Person at a desk with a laptop, looking stressed, holding hands to head. Glasses, a notebook, and a pen are on the table — Daniel De La Hoz / Getty Images

—Automatic_Mulberry

"'Rockstar' is code for underpaid and overworked. Spoiler: most of the 'rockstars' call off regularly, and you'll get a text from your boss asking you to cover their shifts."

—typicalskeleton

14. "If there are a bunch of spelling and grammar mistakes. The company should care enough to make sure every sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a period."

A bunch of spelling and grammar mistakes. They should care enough to make sure every sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a period.

—Skagra42

15. "When I was applying for remote jobs, many said I had to be on camera for all eight hours. Immediate nope. There is zero trust for anything in those kinds of jobs."

—CurveSpecific917

16. "When they have junior positions that require a minimum of five years of experience in the field. Also, if there are no benefits listed."

—DeadlyMidnight

17. "Having unlimited time off. All that means is that they will never give you time off."

Person lying on bed with hands covering face, appearing stressed while looking at a laptop, representing work-related anxiety — Olga Rolenko / Getty Images

—Blackbeltsam5610

18. Lastly: "'Team player' means 'you are capable of doing what we tell you without your thinking or input. We don't need people rocking the boat, because this is the way we've always done it, and we aren't looking to change.'"

—Ok_Party2314

What do you think is a "red flag" in job postings or interview processes? Let us know in the comments, or you can anonymously submit your thoughts using the form below!

Note: Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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