Watch out for red flags, or you might accept a job you won’t enjoy! A few examples include a lack of flexible working policies, vague communication, unclear processes, and long decision times. Fortunately, there are also green flags in job postings that indicate good employers—those who care about their employees and respect their time and work.
LinkedIn is filled with job opportunities, especially for technology and engineering specialists. As a result, it can be quite exhausting and challenging to find the right fit for you. What factors indicate a good employer, and how can you, as a candidate, filter out red flags from green ones? This is a question we often receive as a recruitment company, which is why we have listed the most important green flags for job postings.
Why Are Green Flags Important?
Spotting red flags isn’t enough to find the perfect job for you. Recognising green flags will help filter potential jobs to identify the ones you really want. To get an overview of the job priorities of job seekers, Gallup surveyed 13,085 U.S. employees in 2022 about what they find important when deciding whether to accept a job offer. Here’s what they found:
64% of employees who are looking for a job find an increase in pay and benefits very important. This figure confirms that good remuneration is still the biggest motivator for accepting a new job, but that’s not all. Work-life balance initiatives like flexible working hours or the option to work from home are almost as important as a good salary, with 61% prioritising these factors. This shift highlights the changing priorities of employees and the wellbeing revolution.
Stability and job security are also important considerations for more than 50% of employees when evaluating a job offer. Recent crises have shown that salary and benefits alone are not sufficient if a company is easily affected by external factors.
What's particularly interesting is the growing importance of a diverse and inclusive organisation. For the first time in Gallup’s survey, respondents could choose this option, and it immediately ranked near the top. People want more than ‘just’ a job—they want to work for an organisation that shares their values and aligns with a larger mission. For example, an employee who values gender equality and diversity is more likely to be attracted to a company that uses inclusive language in its job postings than one that does not.
As a result of these findings, it’s clear that offering good remuneration and benefits is no longer enough. Work culture, diversity, and equality are becoming equally important! These numbers underscore the changing priorities of employees.
What Are the Most Important Green Flags
So, what is the most important green flag to accept a job? To find the answer, we asked our own LinkedIn network what they consider most important in job postings. 398 people answered:
Salary Range and Benefits
54% of all respondents said that they find a clear salary range and benefits the most important factors when looking for a job. Posting a salary is a clear benefit for both candidates and employers. Candidates know exactly what kind of remuneration they can expect, while employers demonstrate their commitment to pay fairness and transparency.
To ensure equality, fairness, and greater transparency, the EU has welcomed a new agreement on pay transparency. This includes measures such as reducing the gender pay gap by requiring companies to publish information on the pay gap between female and male workers. Companies that fail to comply with this agreement will face fines, and the discriminated employee will have the right to compensation.
Once the agreement is formally approved by the co-legislators, each member state will have three years to transpose the directive into national law.
Clear Expectations
For 28% of respondents, clear expectations were the most important green flag in a job posting. Candidates want to know exactly what tasks they will be expected to perform before applying for a job. Clear expectations also make a job more specific, attracting candidates who are both motivated and qualified. On the other hand, generic descriptions leave too much room for speculation and suggest that the job might not meet the candidate’s expectations.
For most job seekers, it is also important to understand how their career progression will look. Are there opportunities for professional development or career growth? Employers who provide details about their learning and development (L&D) programmes are usually more invested in their employees than those who do not. That’s why detailed job postings go beyond merely describing the required skills and tasks.
Transparent Interview Process
Nothing is more frustrating than waiting months for a reply or not knowing what to expect from the interview process. A good employer values not only their own time but also that of their candidates. Because of this, a clear and detailed overview of the interview process is definitely a green flag. In fact, 17% of our respondents said it’s the most important green flag for them.
Some employers dedicate a webpage to outlining their process and what you can expect. They may even provide tips on what they find important in a job application. If an employer offers advice on how to apply to their company or what to expect during the interview process, read it carefully and make sure to follow their guidelines to increase your chances!
Other:
There are also other green flags you should watch out for in job postings:
- Regular feedback opportunities
- Respect for your time
- Modern work and recruitment methods
- Realistic requirements
- Inclusive language
Spotting these green flags will not only increase your chances of landing that dream job but also lead to an exciting and promising career within that company.
Progress Your Life with Amoria Bond
Amoria Bond is an award-winning recruitment organisation specialising in STEM sectors. Our mission to progress lives everywhere goes beyond delivering the best candidates for the right job. We strive to create a working environment where every employee can progress their career. Learn more about our ED&I initiatives.
Are you looking for your next career step in energy, advanced engineering or technology? Visit our website for job postings or upload your cv. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact us!
