Don’t Ignore Career Red Flags Just Because You’re Glad To Be Employed

We hear it all the time “be grateful that you have a job.” We know the job search isn’t fun. We know the threat of AI taking people’s jobs has already begun. But “at least I have a job” is not a solid career strategy, especially when you’re in your 20s. Looking out for career red flags likely isn’t on your radar, it’s way more comfortable to just ignore them.

We get it. You have study loans to pay off. You have rent that seems to just keep rising. And you are grateful for that steady paycheck. You’re even grateful for your job in a way, but you know that there are things happening at work that are total red flags. Should you be ignoring them just because you’re employed and you know that so many others aren’t?The answer is no. You should never ignore red flag!

Gratitude is healthy and important. But you don’t want to confuse that gratitude with acceptance over something that is becoming toxic and draining you.

Why 20 Somethings Are Especially Vulnerable To Career Red Flags

No, it’s not the older generations who are the most vulnerable to career red flags – it’s 20-somethings. Why? Because of an entry-level power imbalance. Chances are this is your first job – you have nothing else to compare it to. You don’t have the same experience as to what “normal” should look like in the workplace.

Plus, then there’s social media and movies and TV shows glamorizing hustle culture. You think that the way to get that promotion and to get those big bucks is by making life your entire world and your entire personality.

We see others working in not so great work environments, what makes us think we’re any different? It makes you want to suck it up, pay your dues, and prove yourself.

Career Red Flags Worth Worrying About

But in the end, that’s not healthy. You are going to burn out. You are going to become jaded. But, to help make sure this doesn’t happen to you, here are some career red flags that you very much should not ignore.

1. Chaos Disguised as Start-Up Energy

We all know the thrill of working at a start-up. It’s something new, something exciting, and really cool to be part of somewhere that’s just getting their feet off the ground. Sure, some chaos is sure to come from all of that.

But when that chaos is constant, it’s not start-up energy… it’s literally just chaos. A healthy fast-paced environment is one thing, but one that is disorganized and reactive is not a good thing.

What does this chaos disguised as start-up energy look like?

• Last-minute changes happen constantly
• There’s no onboarding or any sort of orientation
• The job roles are vague
• You hear phrases like “We’re building the plane while flying it”

All of this is dangerous because you don’t be able to grow without structure – and neither will the company. This also leaves you susceptible to receive blame for unclear expectations. Plus, burnout tends to become pretty normalized in situations like this.

2. The “We’re Like A Family Here” Culture

Sure, you want to be friends with your colleagues. But remember – they’re your work colleagues. Your boss is still your boss. You may still want to tread carefully.

If you’re working at a company that has that “we’re like a family here” mentality, there could easily be blurred lines between personal and professional. Loyalty also tends to suppress any sort of feedback, promotion or fair pay.

Don’t get us wrong – a supportive culture is a great one and one that you should look for. But make sure that it’s not emotional manipulation under the disguise of belonging.

What can this look like?

• Being guilted for setting boundaries
• They expect you to work overtime… unpaid
• There’s an emotional pressure to stay loyal

3. There’s No Clear Growth Path is a Huge Career Red Flag

You are in your 20s, you’re at the start of your career. It is so important to have somewhat of an idea of your career path. There is absolutely no reason you should feel on a plateau at work, like there’s no way to move upwards, while you’re in your 20s.

This is meant to be your learning decade, your skill-building decade. So, by not moving forward, that’s staying stagnant. Instead, you’re supposed to try new things, take on new challenges, and figure out what you really enjoy doing.

If a company doesn’t have career growth, it typically looks like:

• Vague or nonexistent promotions
• Being told “we’ll see” when you bring up a promotion or career growth
• There aren’t any performance metrics
• There’s no learning and development programs or even conversations about skill development

4. There’s High Turnovers

If you notice that people keep coming in and out like you’re company is a revolving door, that’s not something to ignore. This is because patterns matter, and if they say that everyone else “is the problem,” well, that’s a red flag. There’s a common denominator between all of those people, and it’s likely the company you’re working on.

Don’t ignore Glassdoor reviews that are pretty negatively consistent, entire teams being gone within a year, or hearing upper management say things like “it just wasn’t the right fit” over and over again.

Chronic Overwork Is Being Framed As Passion

We briefly mentioned hustle culture above and now we want to get into it a bit more. Why? Because it can be a huge red flag. If 50–60 hour weeks are the baseline, you’re getting pinged at midnight and also expected to reply, and the only people being praised are the ones who sacrifice everything else for work, that’s not a normal work environment.

No matter how your company tries to spin it, that is not normal. Do not ignore these career red flags, stay alert. If you don’t, all of this will just lead to your burning out, and that burnout will reduce your performance in the long-term.

What are some things you can do if you notice these red flags?

1. Document

• Start documenting your responsibilities, wins and any concerning incidents. This way you have a record of all of them. Not only are you keeping track of your work, you’re able to look back on the reasons to be concerned.

2. Audit

• Audit the skills you’ve development. Think about if you’re actually gaining any, or if you have developed any that may be marketable in another area. Keep this skills list as a valuable asset for any future job applications.

3. Network

• Network, update your resume, take a professional development course, and reconnect with any old contacts you may have. Sometimes one conversation alone can turn you career path onto a better track.

4. Testing

• Test the market by applying casually and having informational interviews. Talking to someone has never hurt! You’ll find out what other jobs are available and how much time it may take to find a new position if you choose to.

5. Strategy

• Don’t panic. Resign. But, be strategic about it by doing all of the above. Even if these red flags are present, set yourself up for success before you leave your current position.

Final Thoughts on Career Red Flags You Should Not Ignore

As you read through these tips, did any stand out to you? There will always be things about our job we don’t like but there is a point when we should stop brushing stuff under the rug.

With this breakdown of career red flags you can see if that habit has become too easy. Don’t be hard on yourself but also don’t continue to ignore the signs that it is time to move on. Although scary, if you’re seeing these things happening in your workplace then a new job could mean a much happier life.

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