Job Spec Red Flag Scanner
Paste a job description and we'll scan it for red flags, giving you brutally honest (but humorous) translations of corporate speak. Know what you're getting into before you sign.
We scan for 75+ common red flag phrases
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Try it freeHow it works
Understanding Job Spec Red Flags
Our scanner looks for over 75 common phrases that often indicate potential issues with a role. These fall into five categories:
- Culture flags - Phrases like "fast-paced environment" or "we're like a family" that often indicate work-life balance issues
- Compensation flags - Vague language around pay like "competitive rate" or "DOE" that often means below-market offers
- Scope flags - Terms like "wear many hats" or "end-to-end ownership" that suggest role creep and under-resourcing
- Urgency flags - "Immediate start" or "hit the ground running" often means chaos and no onboarding
- Buzzword flags - "Rockstar developer" or "ninja" suggest the spec was written by someone disconnected from actual engineering
Reading between the lines
What These Red Flags Really Mean
Why Job Specs Use This Language
Most job descriptions aren't written to deceive - they're written by people using phrases they've seen in other job specs. Over time, certain terms have become shorthand for less appealing realities. Understanding this language helps you ask better questions in interviews.
Not All Red Flags Are Deal-Breakers
A job with a few red flags isn't necessarily bad. Every role has trade-offs. The key is going in with your eyes open. If a spec says "fast-paced," ask in the interview: "Can you walk me through a typical sprint? How often do priorities change?" Use the flags as conversation starters, not automatic rejections.
The Rate Can Justify a Lot
As contractors, we trade time for money. A role with red flags but an exceptional rate might be worth the chaos - as long as you know what's coming. Just make sure the rate genuinely compensates for the challenges, and have an exit strategy if things go sideways.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this tool actually serious?
- Yes and no. The translations are written with British humour, but the underlying concerns are real. These phrases genuinely do often indicate the issues we describe. We just think you might as well have a laugh while learning what to watch out for.
- Should I reject every job with red flags?
- Absolutely not. Almost every job spec has at least a few of these phrases. The point isn't to run screaming from any role that mentions 'fast-paced' - it's to know what questions to ask. A few yellow flags are normal. A solid wall of red ones? Maybe think twice.
- Why do recruiters write job specs like this?
- Most aren't trying to deceive you. They're using language they've seen in other job specs, or that HR/marketing has approved. Sometimes the hiring manager describes the role one way and it gets... translated. The phrases become industry standards even when they're not ideal.
- Can I share my scan results?
- That's half the fun. Hit the 'Copy Results' button and share away. We've seen some spectacular job specs shared on LinkedIn and Twitter. Just maybe don't tag the company that wrote it - they probably didn't mean any harm.
- What's the highest score you've seen?
- We've tested specs that scored 10/10, achieving the coveted 'This job spec is a cry for help' status. These typically combine 'rockstar developer' with 'wear many hats' in a 'fast-paced family environment' for a 'competitive rate DOE'. Chefs kiss.
- Are there any phrases that are always bad?
- 'We're like a family' is pretty consistently concerning. It almost always correlates with blurred boundaries and expectations that you'll sacrifice personal time 'for the team'. 'Thick skin required' is another one that rarely means anything good.