Guide to Job Posting Buzz Words

Applying for a new job? Here's the secret meaning being job post buzz words:

• An incredibly LONG job description (You WILL be overworked.)
• A super short job description (The hiring manager doesn't understand the position.)
• A position that's posted multiple times within a short time frame (Toxic culture)
• A POSITION WRITTEN IN ALL CAPS (Shady. Avoid!)
• Multiple positions posted by the same company (If they hire in bulk, they fire in bulk. Expect layoffs)
• The words "rockstar," "ninja," or "guru" in the job description (Red flag for bro culture, or a typical office that's trying too hard to attract millennials.)
• A job description that sounds more like a Tinder profile or emphasizes cultural fit (They don't value diversity, and have poor work/social boundaries)
• If they describe the team as a family (Dysfunction alert! Favoritism. Nepotism. Ism. Ism.)
• The job title and requirements don't align, e.g. "Looking for an entry-level admin with 10 years of experience and an MBA to file papers and get coffee."
• Any mention of a personality test (They don't know how to hire people.)
• Any snark, like, "can you keep up?" (The business is probably run by a narcissist who will expect you to prove yourself worthy enough to join their oh-so-awesome team. Expect condescension.)
• "Other duties as assigned" = You will be asked to do things you're uncomfortable with or have nothing to do with your job and don't you dare complain.
• "Team player" = Like a group project in college, you'll do most of the work while your colleagues slack off.
• "Fast-paced environment" = Disorganized
• "Wear many hats" = Understaffed
• "Dynamic" = High turnover
• "Self-starter" = No training
• "Hit the ground running" = Overworked
• "Exciting opportunity" = You will be paid peanuts to take over the position someone else ran away from.
• The apply button takes you to a talent management platform, aka the resume black hole.

Questions to Ask at a Job Interview

Here are some good questions to ask when you are being interviewed for a job. They lean toward interviewing for a technical poistionin IT, but should give you some good ideas for questions to ask regardless of the position you are interviewing for.

Finishing Questions

Is there anything about my application that concerns you?

Is there any reason at all that you would hesitate to offer me the job? If so, I'd appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns head-on before we finish.

General Questions

What do you like most about your job and what do you feel sets the company apart from others in the industry?

How long do people tend to stay at the company?

How big are project/product teams?

Do people tend to work with the same people, or switch around? How long do they stay on a single project/product?

How long have the most senior and most junior members of my team been here?

Do employees support each other across product/project teams?

Do engineers tend to discuss technical things unrelated to specific product/project work? (e.g. brown bags, forums, mailing lists).

Do they tend to promote from within? How many of the managers have a technical background?

Do people socialize outside of work?

Are there official/unofficial events?

What is the typical daily schedule like for this position?

On the way out, could you show my where my work area would be?

Can I meet any members of the team?