Not every job posting is what it seems. Recruitment agencies often obscure employer identities to maintain control over the hiring process. Here are 10 red flags that indicate you're looking at a posting where the real employer is being hidden.
The 10 Warning Signs
Watch out for these common tactics used to hide employer information:
- 1. Vague company descriptions like "leading tech innovator" or "global finance leader"
- 2. Overly specific technical requirements that seem tailored to one company
- 3. No company name in the posting, only the agency name
- 4. Generic email addresses (no company domain)
- 5. Suspicious location details ("near major tech hub" instead of specific address)
- 6. Copy-pasted job descriptions that appear across multiple agencies
- 7. Cultural values that sound like they're quoted from a specific company
- 8. Unique benefits packages that match a known employer
- 9. Job titles that don't match industry standards
- 10. Requirements for tools or technologies that only one company uses
What to Do
If you spot these red flags, don't despair. Use tools like CrewDog AI to uncover the real employer, or do manual detective work by searching for unique phrases, checking LinkedIn for similar roles, and cross-referencing technical requirements with company tech stacks.
Conclusion
Knowledge is power in your job search. By recognizing when employer information is being hidden, you can take proactive steps to uncover the truth and apply more strategically. Don't let information gatekeeping slow down your career progression.