Job seekers have pointed out the most glaring warning signs in job postings
A recent survey by Business Insider, involving over 130 US-based job seekers, has identified common red flags that deter applicants from pursuing certain job opportunities. The findings reveal that job seekers are particularly concerned about a lack of pay transparency, unrealistic job requirements, and overused language in job ads.
One of the most significant red flags for job seekers is the absence of pay information or pay transparency in job postings. More than half of respondents stated that they would pass on a job listing without pay range details [1][3]. Grant Maxfield, a participant in the survey, emphasised that when the salary is too low, it's a waste of time, and when it's too high, he knows he won't be competitive.
Another common complaint among respondents was excessive or unrealistic job requirements. Many job listings include an extensive list of "must-haves" that make it nearly impossible to qualify, or roles labeled as "entry-level" that require years of experience [1]. Rebecca Potance mentioned that too much humor in a job listing is a sign of a workplace beyond repair, while Kelley Murray takes issue with job descriptions requiring applicants to be "enthusiastic," perceiving it as a code for "younger applicant."
Unclear or contradictory job descriptions were also a concern for many participants. Mismatches between job responsibilities and pay, or vague wording, were cited as red flags [1]. Some readers pointed out a mismatch between a job's title and its duties or pay, such as entry-level positions requiring several years of experience or high-level positions paying entry-level wages.
Overused or off-putting language in job ads was another issue raised by respondents. Phrases like "customer-obsessed," "wear many hats," "rockstar," or "fast-paced environment" were found to be unappealing or irritating by candidates [3]. Brian Bissonnette finds the term "fast-paced environment" problematic due to potential strict quotas.
Lack of flexibility and poor work-life balance was another concern raised by several participants. The absence of remote work options or accommodating schedules was particularly noted [1]. Several respondents stressed the importance of having the option to work partially or fully remotely, and having a schedule that promotes work-life balance.
From a recruitment integrity standpoint, scam indicators such as recruiters contacting from free email accounts, requests for money or unnecessary personal info before the application stage, evasive responses about job details, and suspicious attachments or links are significant red flags [2].
Additional frustrations include unpaid assignments during hiring, resume fraud, and false references, which undermine trust in the recruitment process, though these are more employer concerns than direct job seeker turnoffs [4][5].
In summary, job seekers primarily deter from applying when job postings lack transparency about pay, have unrealistic or poorly described requirements, use clichéd language, or offer little flexibility. They are also wary of recruitment scams based on recruiter communication and information requests [1][2][3]. These insights come from surveys and reader polls collected in 2025 by Business Insider, Adobe Acrobat, and Airswift, reflecting current trends in the US job market [1][2][3].
References:
[1] Business Insider. (2025). The top job search red flags that deter job seekers. [online] Available at: https://www.businessinsider.com/job-search-red-flags-that-deter-job-seekers-2025-01
[2] Adobe Acrobat. (2025). Certain words or phrases can be telling signs of upcoming challenges for job seekers. [online] Available at: https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/us/en/resources/articles/job-search-red-flags.html
[3] Airswift. (2025). Job seekers wary of red flags in job listings. [online] Available at: https://www.airswift.com/resources/news/job-seekers-wary-of-red-flags-in-job-listings
[4] Society for Human Resource Management. (2021). 10 job interview red flags to watch out for. [online] Available at: https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/talent-acquisition/pages/10-job-interview-red-flags-to-watch-out-for.aspx
[5] Glassdoor. (2020). 10 job interview red flags to watch out for. [online] Available at: https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/10-job-interview-red-flags-to-watch-out-for/
- What concerns job seekers about career development and education-and-self-development is the absence of pay information or pay transparency in job postings, as nearly half of respondents stated they would pass on a job listing without pay range details.
- In the job-search process, excessive or unrealistic job requirements, such as roles labeled as "entry-level" that require years of experience, can be a significant turnoff, as many job listings include an extensive list of "must-haves" that make it nearly impossible to qualify.
