Beware When Employers Show Their Ass When Recruiting You

Always seek out organizations that value transparency, professionalism, and respect.

When an Employer shows their butt to you during the selection process, it’s definitely foreshadowing even worse treatment as an employee.

The selection process between employers and jobseekers is very much like a romantic courtship. Typically, everyone puts their best foot forward so they can score! The employer has a need to fill a vacancy and you need money to survive. Of course, both employers and jobseekers can fool one another during the selection process if either party is on their best behavior and interactions are kept limited or structured. This is the reason 90-day probationary periods exist. If jobseekers sell the employer on a bill of goods they can't deliver on, employers can flush out such slick-talking, charming narcissists before they inflict too much damage. It works the other way too. Employers who paint a fake, idyllic portrayal of the job or the company culture will cause new hires to keep one eye open on the job boards and their resumes circulating. Nonetheless, some employers are so jacked, disorganized, and unprofessional they can't even pretend to be competent - even for a brief selection process! Non-Profit Disorganization

Awhile back, I encountered drama when I entered the pipeline to be considered for a Residential Aid job for Urban Social Services and Advocacy (USSA) in LA County. At the time, I was desperate for ANY reliable income, so red flags be damned, I charged forward against my better judgment. While Urban Social Services and Advocacy serves a very worthwhile function - to assist people with substance abuse issues and criminal backgrounds - with a pathway to sober living, re-entry services, and community based support, their recruiting process is sending interested and qualified candidates running for the hills!

Here are 5 Telltale Reality Checks That A Prospective Employer is Lame! 1. They Invite You For An Interview, Yet Won't Tell You The Salary Or Your Schedule.

When a prospective employer invites you for an interview but refuses to disclose basic salary information or your work schedule, it raises immediate concerns. Asking about salary and schedule shows that you value your time, and a good employer should understand and respect that. Red Flag: This behavior suggests a lack of transparency and respect for your time and needs. It could indicate that they undervalue you as a candidate, or worse, that they may engage in questionable pay practices. Employer Insight: If they can't provide this fundamental information upfront, it may hint at broader issues within the company's culture, such as a potential disregard for work-life balance or an unpredictable pay structure. Why did USSA obfuscate salary & schedule? The residential aid position requires you to work at least one weekend day or more per month and pays minimum wage — all while dealing with certified crackheads — as part of the job description. No wonder the agency director likely instructed her recruiter to dodge such basic questions.

Upon researching the non-profit to prepare for my interview, I saw the 1st red flag — a subpar and outdated website that looked like a bad Atari game.

2. Their Website Is Janky

A company's website often serves as its front door, offering a glimpse into its values and professionalism. If the website is poorly designed, outdated, or difficult to navigate, it reflects a lack of attention to detail and professionalism. Red Flag: A janky website can signal a lack of investment in their brand and an unorganized approach to business operations. Employer Insight: In today’s digital age, a strong online presence is crucial for authenticity and engagement, and neglecting this aspect can reflect poorly on their overall work environment by showing they are behind the times. What did USSA's janky website foreshadow? A poorly run organization that lacks attention to detail, which was ultimately proven true.

3. They Change Scheduled Interview Times or Location Last Minute—Without Considering You

Constantly changing interview times or locations without considering your schedule is not just inconvenient; it demonstrates a lack of regard for your time and consideration. You want to work for a company that values your time as much as they value their own. Red Flag: This behavior is a major red flag, suggesting that the organization may not have a solid structure or is poorly organized. Employer Insight: If they struggle to keep their schedules straight while recruiting, it raises concerns about how they manage internal projects, daily tasks, and their employees' schedules. What did USSA's janky website foreshadow? After getting a haircut, getting professionally gussied up, I got a call from my recruiter en route to the interview. My recruiter wants to know, "Are you ready for the Zoom interview with the agency director?" I was completely aghast, as I was literally 10 minutes away from the jobsite! The recruiter goes onto say, "The director decided she didn't want any candidates coming to the facility", instructed me to pullover "somewhere, it doesn't have to be a Starbucks", and do the interview in my car.

4. They Don't Apologize for Their Mixups

Mistakes happen; however, failing to acknowledge or apologize for mix-ups in the hiring process is telling. Red Flag: A lack of accountability shows a culture that may not prioritize respect and professionalism. If they can’t recognize their errors, it may reflect a more extensive issue in their corporate culture, such as a lack of empathy or a blame-oriented environment. Employer Insight: An employer who can't apologize for their mistakes may not foster an atmosphere of support and collaboration, which are essential qualities for a healthy workplace. Did USSA's recruiter or director apologize for this big mistake? While the recruiter did acknowledge "this is embarrassing and looks unprofessional", he did not take accountability for his part in this mess and skirted around his responsibility in this dilemma. The recruiter explained, "A miscommunication caused this." I was on the verge of flipmode. No, this MF'er is not trying to shift the blame to me, so I pressed him, "What do you mean miscommunication?" Not only did he tell me this was a live interview directly, but even sent me an email giving me the address! Finally, the recruiter admitted it was a miscommunication between the director and him! Next, I told the recruiter that I still hadn't received a Zoom link to partake in the interview — with about 5 minutes to go before interview time. Luckily, they sent me a Zoom link JUST as the interview time rolled around. Shockingly, the recruiter — who never apologized for HIS miscommunication with his director that cost me 3+ hours of my time — was all to happy to take credit for "his troubleshooting efforts" in ensuring that the Zoom link finally arrived! This recruiter's combo of hubris and tone-deafness is the living definition of cluelessness.

If this company had the slightest bit of competence, I wouldn’t have wasted an interview outfit and 3 hours out of my day, to Zoom interview in my car!

5. Management Comes Off as Unprofessional

First impressions matter, especially when interacting with management. Red Flag: If the people conducting interviews appear unprofessional — whether through their appearance, demeanor, or communication style — it can be a significant indicator of the company's overall culture. Employer Insight: This behavior suggests that employees may not be held to high standards and could indicate a toxic work environment where professionalism and respect are not prioritized. An unprofessional management team can lead to poor communication, unclear expectations, and a lack of trust within the organization. How professional was the USSA director? The director was dressed like she was on a break from Planet Fitness, never bothered to apologize for the interview location mix up, and excused herself mid-interview without warning! Only when she returned, did she say she needed a bathroom break, and blamed her sudden departure on back-to-back scheduling — which she likely set up! She probably went to the bathroom because she knew she was full of sh*it! Next, she casually mentioned, "You will be dealing with crackheads who will be high out of their minds. Is that cool?" I thought, "This better PAY REAL GOOD!" Worse, the director dodged how much the role paid with a lame excuse of, "We haven't settled on the budget yet." I had to pin her down with a 2nd question to disclose the salary range, to which she finally said, "$17 to $20 per hour". So I dealt with all of this drama, incompetence, and unprofessionalism for minimum wage?

Conclusion

Being aware of these red flags during the hiring process can provide valuable insights into a prospective employer's culture and values. Each behavior mentioned serves as a warning sign, indicating potential issues you may face should you choose to join the company. Trust your instincts and remember: if they are showing their ass during recruitment, it might be a glimpse of what’s to come if you decide to work for them. This will help you avoid encountering unscrupulous employers that go out of their way to hide their salary structure — and peddle jobs that pay you minimum wage to put your safety on the line to ensure crackheads are following the house rules!

When the DIRECTOR of a company comes dressed like she just worked out at Planet Fitness for your interview, you know working at this company will be bunk!