How to Spot a Red Flag in Your Job Search: What to Avoid in IT Organizations

Not all IT organizations are created equal. Learn how to identify red flags that could indicate poor management, lack of career growth, or toxic work culture. 

All IT organizations are different. Some are exceptional and supportive, whereas others are disorganized and toxic. As you search for jobs, the best-case scenario would be to know what the company’s culture is like from the get-go, but that’s easier said than done.

That’s why we’re here to help. From the application process to the interviewing stage, there are several ways you can spot a red flag throughout your job hunt. Here are six of them to keep an eye out for: 

High Turnover

If this is an IT organization that you’ve been following for a while, then pay attention to its staff. You can ask yourself questions such as: 

The answers to these questions may not indicate high turnover, but if you’ve noticed that this organization has a revolving door of staff, consider why people constantly come in and out. It could be that they’re simply ready to move on with a new career opportunity, or maybe they’re eager to escape an incompetent manager. 

Vague Job Descriptions

The best IT organizations make their expectations of employees as clear as possible. One of the most effective ways to convey those expectations is through a job description. If the description for the job you’re applying for is noticeably ambiguous, then that could be a red flag. There should be insight into how the IT department helps the broader company make money. 

Poorly operated companies could use this ambiguity as a shield. They could say that employees aren’t meeting standards, even though the standards they’ve outlined are murky. This could also be a telltale sign that leadership is unsure of what their own goals are and the direction their company should take. 

During the interview process, be sure to ask them pointed questions about specific, quantifiable key performance indicators (KPIs). Ask what the typical day in this role would look like and how they would measure your success in both the short and long term.

Disjointed Interview Process

Speaking of the interviewing stage, pay particular attention to how transparent they are about letting you speak with staff to understand the work environment. A lot of companies make the process arduous and unnecessarily long for the applicant.

Are they flaky and need to reschedule a lot? Are they unwilling to discuss their salary compensation package when you ask for details? 

No Mention of Employee Benefits

Everyone deserves health care and a secure retirement plan. See if the company mentions employee benefits, preferably in the job description so it’s in written form. You can also ask the hiring manager about benefits during the interview stage. This can include:

Unclear Structure/Values

If there isn’t a clear reporting structure, then that could signify disorganization and sloppy communication. There should be straightforward, solid reporting lines. The corporation should be able to demonstrate how people have moved up and over within the IT org or business.  

They should also be clear about their internal values. What are they specifically? Are those tenets just some words on the wall? Or are there tangible ways they demonstrate those principles in their day-to-day work? For example, what happens when an IT professional raises their hand when they get stuck on something? Is the IT org siloed so folks stay stuck for a while, or is there a “we’re all in this together” mentality to where others help out even if it’s not in their day-to-day? 

Frequent Repostings

As you browse job listing sites like Indeed or LinkedIn, you might notice the same position or company popping up on a regular basis. This is another sign of high turnover, typically resulting from unrealistic expectations, inept management, or unhealthy work-life balance. In other words, seeing the same role posted over and over again could be a collation of several types of red flags.

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If you’re on the hunt for a new job in IT, then TriCom is here for you. Fill out our online contact form now so we can help you find a role that’s suited to your skills, a manager who values your work, and a company culture that supports a healthy work-life balance. Here, we recruit connections.