Foreshadowing a Bad Position

By Elizabeth Chamberland, Campus Representative, Indiana University

After a busy season of career fairs, submitting resumes, interviews, second interviews, and finally offers; how do you know which offer to accept? When faced with this decision, we are told to consider company culture, location, and possibility for future advancement. While it is highly unlikely that your first job out of college will employ you for the rest of your life, it is important that the first work-force experience is a positive one. Looking upon graduation or a summer busy interning, you must decide the best place for yourself.

Career Builder suggests that there are several factors you may note that foreshadow a poor position.

1. You get asked strange questions

2. Nobody seems happy to be there

3. You get a whiff of dirty laundry

4. Your position doesn't have a title (or a start date or a job description)

5. Your gut tells you to run

Strange interview questions can give a glimpse into corporate culture, management styles, and potential problems that may be faced. Hints of dark company secrets or unhappy employees may foreshadow a negative working environment. Moral of the story - look very closely at all aspects of any offer to make sure your chosen position is a promising fit.