First impressions are really important during the hiring process, both for the prospective employer and the candidate.
To attract the best talent, companies need to craft quality job adverts. They should be clear about what it is they're looking for and accurately reflect the role's typical duties and responsibilities.
However, for better or worse, the competition sometimes doesn't seem so high. After digging through the subreddits 'Recruiting Hell' and 'Antiwork,' we realized that some recruiters are so out of touch with reality, it's evident even in the job advertisement they write.
Continue scrolling to check out what we're talking about and don't miss the conversation we had with talent acquisition consultant and career coach Keirsten Greggs. You'll find it in-between the pictures.
This post may include affiliate links.
Saw It Online
Agree! I've worked in a factory with people who have been employed 20+ years and didn't know a thing about a different part of the factory. Yet the higher ups would go to them, instead of a worker who actually knew the damned machine.
Burn
To get a better understanding of how to scroll through job ads, we contacted the founder of TRAP Recruiter, LLC, Keirsten Greggs, who has spent two decades in talent acquisition and career coaching.
"A good job posting is discoverable by the qualified audience/job seekers it intends to attract," she told Bored Panda. "It is more than a list of duties and responsibilities. Job seekers should come away with a clear understanding of what problem they are solving, what they can offer to the role and organization, and what the role and organization can offer them so that they can apply and/or move on to the next, more desirable role quickly."
According to Greggs, a good job posting also shares the salary or hourly rate, work schedule, work location, and benefits, as well as provides an easy way to apply.
Seeking Candidate With 15+ Years Of Social Media Experience
A Friend Of Mine Was Looking For A Job Yesterday. This Must Be Hella Illegal, Right?
Employment Gap
Conversely, Greggs said that some of the biggest red flags people should watch out for in job ads are:
- The descriptions of duties and responsibilities are vague;
- The list of duties and responsibilities is long and/or doesn't specify the qualifications at all;
- The language used isn't inclusive;
- Phrases like "high performance", "sense of urgency", etc. in a manner that feels toxic;
- The lack of salary/salary range, or the range is enormous, and/or states the salary is "commensurate with/determined by skills and experience".
The New York Times Has An 8 Round Interview Process
Wtf Are They On… This Is For A Call Center Position
Imagine Asking If Someone's Ok With Earning 30% Less Than What They Currently Make
"Absurd requirements usually stem from an inexperienced hiring manager who doesn't understand the role they're trying to fill and doesn't have a solid grasp on the available talent in the market," Keirsten Greggs explained.
"This is where recruiters can partner with them by asking the right questions that will ultimately make the job postings more attractive and inclusive, help them set expectations, and improve the candidate/job seeker experience at the onset of the hiring lifecycle."
Why Do We Have To Jump Through So Many Hoops Just To Get Our Application Rejected Anyway
Why Even Ask?
My First Haiku
In 2022, the Paychex team surveyed Americans who have recently looked for a job, and people across the country shared their current standards for evaluating an open position and what constitutes a potential warning sign. Their main concerns coincided with what Greggs told us.
Compensation is one of the most important aspects of a job, especially in times of economic uncertainty. So, it's unsurprising that not including a salary range was at the top of the list (65%). For many candidates, omitting that information implies that the salary range is probably low. Not including a salary and using the phrase “gain experience” makes them feel that the company expects them to work for free.
Sometimes, a great benefits package can make up for a salary that's a little lower than you want to accept, but if the pay is much less than you think you’re worth and there aren’t other benefits to compensate for it, people feel there's no point in considering it.
Exactly On Time
New Requirements Strikes
U.k. International Candidate Here - This Is What The Recruiter Texted Me After I Told Him I Need The Company To Sponsor My U.k. Skilled Worker Visa…
The respondents also mentioned arguably the most frustrating part of looking for entry-level jobs, which is the requirement to already have several years of experience in a related role.
Having that expectation is extremely discouraging, especially for new graduates trying to start their careers while also needing to make a living.
An Expensive First Day On The Job
“I Just Saw You Swallow”
"We Are Unable To Offer Positions To People With The Name Jeffrey"
They also mentioned spelling and grammar mistakes. Just as employers don't want to see misspelled words in a resume, candidates are turned off by them in a job posting.
These things show little attention to detail and look sloppy and unprofessional. The best candidates know their worth and will generally be put off by such errors.
This Is A New Level Of Hell
Not Sure If This Is A Repost
Ph.d. Maths Student Rejected For Not Show Not Having 3 Hours Of Calc On Their Transcript
Something about their requirements doesn't add up.... OUCH ok ok I'm leaving
If people have to tick a lot (and I mean a lot) of boxes even to get their foot in the door, they start hearing alarm bells.
A potential reason for this is the fact that the company may not really know what it's looking for, meaning new recruits might be set up for failure from the get-go. It could also mean the scope of the role is too broad, in which case people might be in over their heads as soon as they arrive, too.
This But Unironically
Ayo This Lady Working For UPS Really Tried To Get Free Labor Out Of Me Lol
If they do that with 20 people a week, that's a full time position they don't have to pay for
Who Needs Pay And Sick Leave? I Can Wear My Jeans To Work!
The last pet peeve on the list was too many interview rounds (anything more than two rounds). Ideally, the whole thing should be organized and efficient, and when the process drags on, it indicates to people that the team is indecisive or overly consensus-driven.
I wonder how many respondents of the survey belong to the two subreddits that these pictures are from because their answers seem to match pretty well.
"Record A Video Of Yourself", But Somehow, Even Worse!
We Don’t Pay You, You Have To Pay Us
Are You Joking?
Saw This On A Job Application. Immediately Closed Out
The F**king Nerve
Was Applying For A Job On Indeed....any Suggestions..?
Yeah, step into the store, you'll be amazed, Where customer service sets the craze, From the moment you walk through the door, We got that greatness you can't ignore. sorry cant apply am going on tour next week..
Anyone Have 7 Legs, 4 Arms And Capable Of Doing 10 Things At Once?! Asking For A Friend
Anyone Else Read This As, “Must Be Willing To Take Abuse”?
Sounds Like Sexual Harassment
If You Have Made A Heathy Choice I Disagree With Don’t Apply
This Is Slowly Snowballing Into Forcing Western Kids To Get Part-Time Jobs
Surprisingly, Thomas Ince of LP First Capital has deleted this absolutely dreadful take. I like it when someone makes dreadful statements, then pretends he never said it. That person thinks with an open mouth, doesn’t take personal accountability, and shows a low locus of control with an absence of grit.
Sigh... They Don't Even Put A Location In The Body Anymore
Something Tells Me I’m Not Going To Be Getting A Call Back
Is This A Red Flag?
Thought You Guys Would Really Enjoy This One
Most of all these I have been reading - like this one - have to be from USA. Quite frightening to people looking for work. I feel very sad for them :(
Has Anybody Seen Anything Worse?
Immediately No
The Wildest Application Request Ever…
The F*ck? At Least They’re Telling You Up Front
Was Looking At Truck Driving Jobs And Saw This
Bribe The Hiring Manager After A Rejection?
Lol Ok…when You Pay The Bill
Got This Message From A Company's Recruiter Today
Received this from a recruiter today. Applied from their Facebook page where at no point did it mention that the position was in- office. For context, my family and I live and travel full- time in our RV, and I have worked remotely off and on for more than 3 years now, with nearly 10 years experience for the above mention position. Forward to the HR or above that even?
Unfortunately he probably assumed you were tyring to cover that you were homeless--which is ALSO a vile thing for him to do, to be clear--but I learned real quick to stonewall people about my living situation AND my transport, bc people assume if you don't have a car you're "unreliable" and that if they don't like the look of your address they'll judge you too....
Worst Onboarding/Background Check Experience Ever! Not Only Did I Send Her The References Prior But She Than Needed More! This Is Ridiculous! Here’s What I Told Her Below!
"Please give us w-2s so we can see exactly how little we can pay you"
My Alarm Bells Are Ringing So Loud It Gave Me Tinnitus
This Is A Joke... Right?
For some context on how insane this is, a junior Front End Dev with 3+ years experience should typically be making around $70k a year at MINIMUM.
I'm So Fed Up With Recruiters Reaching Out To Me With Insultingly Low Rates For Short Term Contract Work When They Can See I Have A Full Time Job Already
Thoughts?
It's so predatory! I was desperate to get a new role i came across a lot of this. Who would be paying my bills??? These people are mental.
Spotted On Indeed. This Can’t Be Real… Can It?
All Right Boys, It's Time To Pack Up. Work-Life Integration Is Here!
Applying For Jobs Is Depressing
Got A Phd In Quantum Physics? You Can Earn A Full 15k USD Salary If You Work For Them!
What bothers me with this one is that they supposedly want a diverse team of people, but by demanding perfect English they are making those who have English as a second language unable to qualify.
So Uh... What Do I Write For This Lol
I Can't Eye Roll Enough With This
Found This Morning Looking For Remote Jobs. Doctorate, 10 Years Of Exp, $16 An Hour
“You must have all kinds of vaccines”, even the rabbit one for myxomatosis?
When The Restaurant Promises $90/Average Check With Tips
If I walk around a big city, I will probably find $2,13 or more on the ground each hour...
An Embarrassing Reminder To Not Reveal Your Salary Expectations
Do This And This And This And This
I presume they are doing that as some sort of way to filter out spam replies, but it seems excessive
This Is Hell
$15/Hour For A Master's-Level Data Analyst Is Extortionate
12 Month Ban From Applying Because Of A 5-Minute Personality Test
Eat An Absolute D*ck
Getting Really Tired Of This Cr*p :/
Recruiters, Why Do You Do This?
I need at least 3 packages of ramen a day, plus internet, electricity, and running water. I can go lower you just have to call those places and negotiate that for me...
This Set Of Job Requirements Cracked Me Up. Sr. Manager Role. There Might Be Like 5 People In The Us Who Are Qualified
"Cognitive Test" For A Mortgage Admin Position
$20/Hour CFO Posting
For that ridiculous pay, they will probably end up with a CFO who was sacked from their previous job for embezzlement, and who will do likewise here
I Am Seriously Out Of Words..... There Needs To Be A Hell On This World Also For Recruiters
Pay 9% Of My Salary To These Recruiters, Boy The Nerve On These People
I don't know about LMK .. but you can Lick My N** If you think I will be doing that !!!
Jesus Christ
Boss Posted This Job Description On Facebook And Then Commented This A Week Later. Well I Wonder Why No One Applied
Speak 4 Languages For Minimum Wage
Wow 🙃 How Cute
Okay, but remember, you asked! Also I need more space to write, thanks.
Please Let Me Know If A 50% Reduction In Pay Is Suitable
Can I work two of these at the same time? The answer to this will directly relate to my answer to that..
I'm Applying For A Receptionist Position... What The Hell Is This?
Just Had A Recruiter Rip Apart My Resume From 15 Years Ago
On-Site In Toronto = Permanently Relocated To Saudi Arabia
How to say you're involved in trafficking without saying you're involved in trafficking.
Another Recruiter Telling You That You Shouldn't Be Motivated By Money
Why Is This Necessary, Panera?
😬
"We're Looking For Big Brain Interns To Build Our Ai For Minimum Wage!"
I Politely Told A Recruiter I Won't Really Be Available To Interview Over Christmas And Instead Of Respecting My No Answer, Responds Like I'm Some F*cking Kid
Urgently Hiring Experienced Workers For $9
Job Would Like Information On My Elementary School, Including The Degree I Received And My Course Of Study
Thank God I am nearing retirement and don't have to do any of this sort of sh*t
I did a job application a year back. I had JUST switched my career choice a year before that from Fast Food to Care Giver. I moved locations with 8 months experience and really great references. The job required 10! Professional references in that field. All with their professional emails their work phone and cell phones, the employer wanted ME to send questionnaires about me for my references to email back to the potential employer. It was a pre typed document I had to forward. The previous place I worked at because of the shift I was on we rotated between 3 of us per shift never met the rest of the staff for more than a few min. I wss more than qualified they only required 6 months and they wanted someone new in the field to train properly. Being an introvert is bad when looking for jobs.
Position: Cashier at retail store. Pay rate: $10/hour. Job requirements: Proficient in calculus, analytical geometry, have at least 15 years of experience programming in C++, speak 8 different languages, have a masters degree in archeology, a medical degree from an Ivy league school, be proficient at musical composition, and have at least. three published novels.
My thoughts exactly,thank goodness near retirement and job hunted in a day where you knew someone,you took your resume into place of business and were interviewed and hired or not.I think the hardest one i had was for hospital dietary and had one interview with 3 people but it was a good union job with great pay.Like and idiot 19 year old was offered job but decided no because woukd have to do shift work.I could worked there,retired at 55 with full pension😭😭😭
Thank God I am nearing retirement and don't have to do any of this sort of sh*t
I did a job application a year back. I had JUST switched my career choice a year before that from Fast Food to Care Giver. I moved locations with 8 months experience and really great references. The job required 10! Professional references in that field. All with their professional emails their work phone and cell phones, the employer wanted ME to send questionnaires about me for my references to email back to the potential employer. It was a pre typed document I had to forward. The previous place I worked at because of the shift I was on we rotated between 3 of us per shift never met the rest of the staff for more than a few min. I wss more than qualified they only required 6 months and they wanted someone new in the field to train properly. Being an introvert is bad when looking for jobs.
Position: Cashier at retail store. Pay rate: $10/hour. Job requirements: Proficient in calculus, analytical geometry, have at least 15 years of experience programming in C++, speak 8 different languages, have a masters degree in archeology, a medical degree from an Ivy league school, be proficient at musical composition, and have at least. three published novels.
My thoughts exactly,thank goodness near retirement and job hunted in a day where you knew someone,you took your resume into place of business and were interviewed and hired or not.I think the hardest one i had was for hospital dietary and had one interview with 3 people but it was a good union job with great pay.Like and idiot 19 year old was offered job but decided no because woukd have to do shift work.I could worked there,retired at 55 with full pension😭😭😭
