Working for debtors – how to spot them

In my experience, like attracts like. Almost like a magnet I worked for people and companies that were always having issues with money and debt. I got paid late, or so little that it could hardly be called pay. I worked long hours with no holiday.

So what are the red flags to look for when it comes to working for debtors?

1. When the boss at the interview does not talk about money:

A reluctance to be specific is a great indicator that something is not right. Sometimes, I would not even know what I was getting paid until after the job had started. On one occasion finding out it was considered to be work experience...!

Because I didn't think debt was an issue for me, it never occurred to me to ask. It's a little easier now we can do it in a detached way via email etc. But is still very hard to do, especially for people in debt.

Flag this up to yourself and get help: a mate to sit with you when making the call/email? Do the research – how much should we get paid? If you're a freelancer, try to find out how much it would cost you to find someone to do the job.

2. The job has no specific title or structure:

I have gone for jobs that require me to speak another language, and no one thought of telling me beforehand. Once, my role was assisting a designer and I ended up crawling around on my hands and knees trying to find a dead rat.

It's all very well to be keen, but if I find I have gone above and beyond my role requirements without so much as a "thank you", am I keen, or am I just being used? If someone wants a favour, I need a written contract that I get something in return, if not cash then a testimonial, some work or promotion in return.

“But it’s for Charity…” I often hear. Well good for you but I have my own charities and that does not include yours at the present time. “But it will be fun…” Good then you won’t have a problem finding someone to have fun with. “But the experience will be good on your CV…” Thank you, so find someone who needs experience.

Remember you still have to pay to live in the end.

3. The start and finishing dates are left hanging

This is very common with bosses who debt. They might be interviewing to show they are doing something about the already overstretched workforce, with no intention of really hiring. They might not even know what they want, they might just want to see who is out there.

A friend had someone she briefly mention he might want to employ her in some vaguely fantastic capacity – no interview, times or any specifics at all. Six months later she finally plucked up the courage to ask him when he would need her. He had forgotten her and said he had restructured so there was no job. She had waited six months without pay and using up her savings. Try and get into the habit of pinning them down so you don’t waste your time waiting for the non existent job.

4. Am I over or under qualified?

If I was going to an interview to be a surgeon, fly a plane or write up some code for a company, I would be very clear that that was outside my skill set.

But what is an assistant, or a consultant? What is a manger or a project leader? These terms are bandied around for those who look after the toilets in a club, look after a clothes shop or have a zero hour contract to sell beauty products. The actual work does in no way reflect the title.

Tips:

• Make sure the job, dates and the money are in writing, if possible before the interview

• If the company is paying on prestige then you will just be another cog in the system

• Get as clear as you can, and mark down when you are not clear: write an email after the interview asking about pay and dates if it was not discussed.