5 Red Flags on Job Ads to be Wary of When You’re Trying to Leave Burnout Behind

The journey to leave burnout behind and find a new job can be both exciting and daunting.

After experiencing the draining effects of burnout, even just the thought of starting fresh in a new work environment can feel like a breath of fresh air.

However, as you’ve already landed yourself in an unpleasant work environment once, it's crucial to be cautious and vigilant during your job search to avoid falling into another unhealthy work situation.

There’s no point leaving one burnout-culture for another one! 

The good news is that if you know what to look for, job ads can provide valuable insights into a company's culture and expectations, helping you steer clear of potential burnout triggers. There are 5 main red flags to watch out for when scanning job ads, and once you know them, you’ll feel comfortable making a well-informed decision in finding a workplace that nurtures your well-being.

Unrealistic Expectations

Job ads that demand an excessive amount of qualifications, skills, and experience might be an early indicator of a company's unrealistic expectations.

While it's natural for companies to seek capable candidates, a laundry list of requirements could signal a high-pressure work environment where burnout is a real risk.

Look for job descriptions that emphasise a balance between skillsets and the potential for growth.

With the skill set in particular, a broad range of skills that are not typically found in a single role might also signal the company will expect it’s employees to wear multiple hats or even fill multiple positions.

This is not just limited to small start-ups! Every company wants to save money - and sometimes they put this above employee wellbeing. 

Vague Job Descriptions

PLEASE, please, please stay away from this!! A lack of clarity in job ads regarding roles, responsibilities, and/or reporting structures could hint at an organisation in disarray - which is not a good sign for people who don’t want to end up burnt out.

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It could also indicate a job that’s very difficult to do, and the employer would rather hire people without explaining the immense challenges of the role in the hopes that they’ll stay in the job once they discover the full scope of it. A lot of door-to-door sales roles will use this technique. 

If you don’t see these two sections in the job ad, move on:

1. Responsibilities (what you’ll be expected to do on a day-to-day basis) and

2. Background (what they expect the ideal candidates background to be, including qualifications, work history, skills etc).

The two sections should feel connected. For example, a job ad that asks for complex tasks to be performed under the ‘responsibilities’ section should also have an accompanying requirement in the ‘background’ section that highlights that the candidate needs to come from an appropriate level position such as middle management, not, for instance, a graduate level.

Seek ads that offer a clear outline of tasks, goals, and how your role fits into the larger picture.

Getting a Feel for Their Work Environment

If a job ad explicitly mentions long hours, frequent overtime, or constant on-call availability, it's crucial to proceed with caution.

While occasional busy periods are common, a consistent demand for extended work hours can quickly lead to burnout. Prioritise job ads that emphasise a healthy work-life balance and value employee well-being.

Whilst you can never be completely certain about how a company treats it’s employees until you become one of them, targeting jobs that specifically make claims around employee well-being initiatives is a safer bet than ones that don’t.

Workplace culture is a hot topic amongst all organisations right now because Australians are sick of being burnt out.

So if a company is only trying to sell you their ‘vision’ and not their work environment conditions, it may indicate that all their efforts go towards the former. 

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Also pay attention to the tone of the job ad. Ads that use intense language like "fast-paced environment," or "results at all costs", or “a go-getter” could signal a job that prioritises output over employee well-being.

Opt for job descriptions that highlight collaboration, support, and a positive work environment.

You might be thinking that some of these terms are subjective - a “high-pressure deadline” might be something you’ve been able to handle in the past. You might also think that when they say “high-pressure deadline”, it’s written lightly, as a way to cover all bases and get the best candidate for the job.

The reality, however, is that job ads are usually written in collaboration with: 1. the people doing the recruiting and 2. the people who have the gap in their team.

In these discussions, past employees and their lack of capabilities needed for the role are always discussed. These are the things that usually make it into the job ad.

So tread carefully and don’t dismiss things that look like they were written casually, because they were probably heavily discussed. 

Similarly, if the job has a very short deadline for its applications, it could suggest the company is more interested in filling the position quickly than finding the right fit.

Whilst this is not always the case, if the deadline is short and there are other red-flags as well, it might be best to think twice before applying. 

Lack of Growth Opportunities

This may seem like a weird one when you’re already exhausted from being burnt out! The last thing on your mind is growth and advancement, as you’re most likely just trying to make it to the weekend.

However, alongside emotional challenges (stress, exhaustion etc), another key element of burnout is cognitive detachment.

If you’re putting in your 100% every day over a long period of time, and this is either unrecognised, dismissed or criticised, your brain learns that there’s no point in trying anymore.

The absence of recognition, and in turn, growth prospects at work,  can lead to a sense of cognitive detachment, where you stop trying as hard and no longer care about the results. This is a sure fire way to erode your confidence in your own skills over a long period of tolerating a company that clips your wings. Therefore, it’s very important to go for companies that are open about their growth opportunities. You want an environment that lets you expand! 

Job ads that don't mention opportunities for skill development, career advancement, or learning initiatives might not be the best fit for your burnout recovery journey - or career in general!

Negative Employee Reviews

This is probably obvious but before applying to a job, research the company's reputation through employee reviews on platforms like Glassdoor or SEEK. Consistent negative feedback about toxic work cultures, excessive workload, or lack of support should be taken as a red flag. While every workplace will have some negative reviews, pay attention to patterns and common themes.

Although it takes a little more effort initially, if you’re serious about leaving burnout behind in your next role, this is a really helpful tactic. If you want to take it a step further, look at the company page on LinkedIn and see how long the average person’s tenure is.

People often stay in companies long term when they are treated right. If you come across a company with no reviews on any site, reconsider reapplying altogether - there’s no point jumping from one bad situation into another.

Every move in your career should be to enhance your life in some way. 

Leaving burnout behind and embarking on a journey to find a new job is a courageous step.

By carefully analyzing job ads for these 5 red flags, you can significantly increase your chances of finding a workplace that aligns with your well-being goals. Remember that your mental and emotional health are invaluable, and the right job should nurture your growth, support your balance, and foster a positive work environment.

Use job ads as a window into the company culture, and don't settle for anything less than an environment that truly values you. Your burnout recovery journey deserves nothing less.