I had a recruiter once contact me and talk to me about an opportunity that might be interesting. However the more he talked, the less I felt good about it.
Why? Mostly because his client didn’t want to do things that were standard in the hiring process. He wanted me to start in a week, didn’t need me to interview, and because it was a project didn’t guarantee hiring when it was clear that I had a full-time position already. Almost every recruiter once they found out that I had a full-time position, withdrew a job position since it doesn’t make sense to ask.
I directly shared that this kind of process would lead to bad hires, and a company that acts this way is desperate and probably has a low Glassdoor rating. I found out after I hung up that I looked up their Glassdoor rating and it was low.
When you talk to recruiters 10 minutes of uncomfortable conversation by directly asking for details can save you months or even future job instability. One of my biggest mistakes in the past was not vetting companies that I worked for more thoroughly. I thought that it would help me in my career, but other companies and opportunities that I had would have helped me more. I made mistakes for sure, and Im trying to help you avoid those mistakes.
If you talk to a recruiter and feel high pressure, uncomfortable, or the need to be agreeable and be “nice” you are not talking to a company you want to work for. A job interview is not the place to be nice. It is a place to be honest and realistic. If they don’t want to interview you, they are denying you the opportunity to interview them. Companies process of hiring shows how they are run. If you are treated as a product and not a person with a need to understand, then accept that you will be treated badly. Companies often deal with desperate people looking for jobs. Don’t be desperate. The best thing you can do for your career is save 3 months of emergency expenses. Then you can take time to find the right job and not take the first thing that is offered.
Don’t put yourself into toxic and dangerous situations by not vetting companies. You are worth working in an environment that respects you and appreciates you.