3 Red Flags to Be Aware of During Recruitment

1. The recruiter is not responsive. Recruitment is used to determine if a candidate is a good fit and vice versa. This is the time for both parties to put their best foot forward so if you are getting the cold shoulder at the beginning, this can be an indicator for other issues. If you have reached out to a recruiter repeatedly and they have not responded, try reaching out to someone else at the organization. On their website look for contact information for provider recruitment, talent acquisition, or HR personnel to see if it is the recruiter or the organization as a whole.
   
   
2. Your questions are not answered. Once again, this is your chance to figure out if an organization and position is the right fit. As you ask a question, pay attention to the response to ensure no confusing or vague language was utilized. For instance, if you ask how many night shifts you will work in a month and their response is, “not that many” or “a few” this is not a quantitative answer. Ask for more clarification to avoid any misconceptions. Most recruiters are happy to clarify and will continue to clarify until your question is answered. Vague or confusing language may be intentionally used to avoid losing a candidate because the position, organization, or location may not be favorable.
   
   
3. The recruiter makes comments that make you uncomfortable. Whether it be comments about you, staff, the organization, or any other item if you are uncomfortable this is a huge red flag. We often get a “gut” instinct about people or situations, so make sure you don’t ignore yours. They should be representing the organization and putting their best foot forward. Of course, there may be an awkward joke that didn’t land, but if you get a continuous uncomfortable feeling about comments being made during this time it can indicate the workplace culture. If any derogatory, racist, or sexist remarks are made I would file a complaint with their head of human resources to ensure they are aware of the recruiter’s actions.

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