A job ad should have a few simple components. Recruiters should list salary, benefits, flexibility, potential prospects, and company values. At least, that is what hiring experts are saying. In reality, job advertisements aren’t always like that.
We’ve collected the most ridiculous and insulting job listings we could find, and some of them might make you think: “What respectable company would actually post this?” From absurd working hours to laughable pay, some of these job ads have some pretty laughable requirements. Do you remember any nonsensical job listings from your job-seeking days, Pandas? If so, tell us about them in the comments!
Bored Panda reached out to two corporate world experts: manager trainer and the founder of Manager Method, Ashley Herd, and leadership coach and CEO of Beamably, Robyn L Garrett.
They both kindly agreed to have a chat with us about where these kinds of job postings come from, how organizations can improve their ads, and how job-seekers can navigate the frustrating waters of job searching.
#1 Actually Job Posting I Found Today
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#2 Apply For This Job! But Only If Your Portfolio Has No Gaps, Yet You Can Start For Me Tomorrow Without Needing To Work A 2 Week Notice For Your Precious Employment
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#3 This Is An Actual Job Posting...
They want to hire someone with a PhD (someone who has been in school at least 10 years), but pay then so low they would need to live like a struggling undergrad eating cheap ramen all the time... without guarantee they will be able to pay them at all for long
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Seeing these job ads probably raises some questions when you encounter them. How is it possible that these postings actually got through? Does nobody vet them, or are some employers really so entitled they include these kinds of requirements? Robyn L Garrett, author of Happy At Work, says that some employers might just be that out of touch with reality.
"They can't understand why people won't be breaking down doors to work their low-paying, do-everything job," she explains. "To them, whatever meager salary they're offering is a lot. They're not researching enough to realize that it's not."
Corporate training, leadership development, and HR consulting specialist, Ashley Herd, agrees, saying that some companies might not understand how expensive life has gotten. "And those that do think that means they can take advantage of people who need income," she tells Bored Panda.
#4 In Search Of Someone Who Doesn’t Value Their Time Whatsoever
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#5 We Don’t Pay You, You Have To Pay Us
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#6 It Job Listing Requires 4 Months Of Unpaid Training For A 2 Month Internship
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Some employers' lack of “real life” awareness might make them think they're in a vacuum, Herd explains. That's why some of them don't even question what they're doing. They might not even think that the absurd requirements on their job postings might be tone-deaf. Luckily, with social media, the absurd realities of job hunting can quickly come to the surface.
Herd also says that some recruiters believe workers need to earn the position at their company. "Many employers believe 'paying your dues' is necessary – including doing long, hard work for minimal pay." The sad thing is that, contrary to what the company believes, it's not beneficial for them or the employee.
#7 Wants To Hire A Photographer For 8 Hours. No Pay, But Will Put Your Name On The Flyer! (Yeah, No Thanks)
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#8 Everything About This Job Listing
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#9 $6.25 An Hour ?
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People talk, especially on social media. So it can be easy for a company to quickly lose its reputation with a ridiculous or insulting job posting. Herd recommends recruiters keep social media in mind when posting an ad.
"Anything you put in a job posting, ask yourself, ‘If this were to be screenshot and put on social media, would it go viral for the wrong reasons?’ And if you don't have a sense of what might look so wrong that it goes viral – ask your assistant or family member," the corporate trainer recommends.
#10 Job Ad: Caretaker Work For Free! No Wage! Bonus Power, Water And Bathroom Access!
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#11 Full Time Job No Pay
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#12 Great Low Paying Job With A Friendly Boss!
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Leadership coach Robyn L Garrett says that companies need to clearly define the role in the ad. Ironically, this is what costs many businesses embarrassing mistakes, she says. "You should know what the job is, what it is usually called, and what responsibilities are typical," she lists some things that are essential to an appropriate job posting.
#13 Girlfriend Is Looking For Jobs, Found An Opening For Slave Labor
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#14 A Full $10/Hour!
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#15 An Employer With An Insane List Of Requirements For A Strenuous And Dangerous Job... That Only Pays $8.50 An Hour
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According to Garrett, recruiters shouldn't be afraid to look at what their competitors are doing. "If you can't find anything similar because the role just seems 'too specialized' or requires 'a little of everything,' then pump the breaks. There are thousands of active job listings to look at for reference and several salary database options. If you can't find comparable postings, you're not special – you're just disorganized," she points out.
#16 Wants A Masters Degree For A Minimum Wage Job
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#17 You Better Be Reliable And On Time For This Incredibly Below Minimum Wage Job!
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#18 Here, Take This Full Time Job For $1.50 An Hour, Oh And I'll Need You To Be My Personal Chauffeur Too
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The founder of Manager Method, Ashley Herd, says that employers should think about balancing the costs as well. "If your workplace or role is so tough that it drives people away, you're likely going to spend far more in recruiting, training, and scrambling than if you made them more sustainable in the first place," she points out.
#19 Company Requires "20+ Yrs Experience" To Hire You For $18-$22 An Hour
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#20 Now Hiring But Not Really!
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#21 Woman Thinks Two Jobs Are One
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We also asked our experts if they have any advice for people currently looking for a job. Robyn L Garrett recommends applying to many different companies. "Job searching is a numbers game. You never know where the business is in the hiring process, so you have to cast a wide net. Sometimes, your resume just needs to be in the right place at the right time, so keep applying."
#22 Shockingly, This Company Can't Find Anyone With 'Thick Skin' Willing To Work 8-5 And Be Available To Respond To Email And Calls For The Rest Of Their Waking Hours
It was just posted for the 4th time on a local job bank
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#23 Kind Redditor Offering A Job... And What A Deal It Is!
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#24 Ridiculous Job Posting Lists "Can Afford To Live On Minimum Wage" As A Qualification
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Ashley Herd says that patience is important when you're looking for a job. One might need to sort through different roles and weed out the good ones. "'Green flag' signs of employers include putting pay ranges, even where not legally required, [and] giving an overview of the interview process and what you can expect in [the] role," she lists some things job-seekers should look for.
#25 Neighbors Want To Hire A Maid To Clean 5 Houses For Under Minimum Wage
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#26 "About 500$ Job"
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#27 We're Looking For An Experienced Candidate To Do Hiring/Onboarding, And Will Pay Half Of Min. Wage
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Herd also encourages people to look around at themselves and their families and see what jobs people are working. "Ask your friends where they work and if they like it. Even if you go on social media and make a post and say, 'If you like your job or boss, where do you work and what do you like about it?', you're likely to get some good responses that may lead to referrals for open positions," the manager trainer says.
#28 Full Time Job, Must Have Experience, $100/Month - Where Do I Sign Up??
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#29 Job On Upwork. $5 To Post 50 Articles. 10c Per Article
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#30 Run My Business For $10 /Hour
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If there's one thing Herd could tell all employers and recruiters, it is that everything they do has a ripple effect on the lives of their team members. "When you have job postings that are clear and treat people with respect, you can not only make a positive impact on more people than just your employees, but [you can] be a business that clients and customers want to work with. It's business sense, too," she concludes.
