Been headhunted for your dream job? Read this before you hand in your notice

A message lands in your inbox. 

Someone has spotted your CV; there's an exciting opportunity with "guaranteed earnings" and fast-track promotion. They'd love you to come in for a meet-and-greet. 

It goes well. You hand in your notice, turn up on day one, and find out the "management trainee" role is commission-only door-to-door sales. 

It happens more than you'd think. Some businesses search job boards' CV databases and contact candidates with offers that sound like a career start, but leave out what the job really involves until you're already committed. Many of these roles are perfectly lawful. That doesn't make them any less costly if you've given up a steady job to take one. 

Three things to watch for

1. Talk of "earnings" rather than salary. "Uncapped income" or "OTE" with no basic pay mentioned. 
2. A vague job title and a very easy hiring process. "Management trainee" or "client account executive", a quick call and then an offer, with very few questions about your experience. 
3. A "meet and greet" instead of an interview. Often in a group, with very little detail about where you'll be working or what you'll be doing. 

One question to ask before you resign

"Is this a salaried, employed role and what will I be doing day to day?"

Ask for the answer in writing. A genuine employer will be happy to give it. If they dodge the question, that tells you what you need to know. 

Want to know more?

Click here to read our guide that covers the most common warning signs, what questions to ask, your rights and what to do if a job turns out not to be what you were promised, including how to resign properly and where to get free help. 

If you're ever unsure whether a job or message is genuinely from Meridian, contact us at enquiries@meridianbs.co.uk and we'll happily check for you.