Red or Green Flag
Red Flag or Green Flag: A job posting clearly lists the hourly pay, schedule, responsibilities, and qualifications.
Green flag! The expectations are transparent
You earn $80 from a weekend job. You want to spend it all immediately. Name one reason you might choose to save some of it.
Saving can help with future expenses, emergencies, or a bigger goal. Any reasonable explanation earns credit.
You realize you're going to be 10 minutes late to work. Do you (A) say nothing, (B) notify your manager as soon as possible, or (C) pretend your phone died?
B. Communicating early gives your manager a chance to plan.
You reject a job because the uniform is ugly. Defend your decision in one sentence.
Open ended! Points are awarded for funny, creative, or reasonable responses.
You accidentally send a screenshot complaining about your work schedule to the exact group chat that includes your manager. Your manager replies, “Can we talk tomorrow?”
What do you do between now and tomorrow, and how do you handle the conversation?
Don’t panic, lie, or send a bunch of messages trying to explain yourself. Acknowledge the mistake, apologize for sending the message to the wrong chat, and be prepared to have an honest, professional conversation with your manager. If you have concerns about your schedule, bring them up respectfully during the conversation.
Example response: “I’m sorry, that message wasn’t meant for this chat. I understand how it came across, and I’d be happy to talk tomorrow. I’d also appreciate the chance to discuss my schedule and see if there’s a solution that works for both of us.”
Red or Green Flag:
A recruiter says you must pay $75 upfront to secure your new job. He won't explain what the fee covers, but insists it is important, and you'll make the money back in no time.
Red flag. Legitimate employers generally don't charge applicants to secure a job. Verify the company and request an explanation before paying anything.
You have $100 until Friday. You need transportation, lunch, and a phone bill payment. Your friends also invite you to spend $40 going out. What should you consider before deciding?
Prioritize essential expenses and their deadlines, calculate what's left, and decide whether the outing fits.
Your manager gives you instructions, but you don't understand what they want. Do you (A) guess, (B) ask a clarifying question, or (C) ask another employee to do the task?
B. Asking questions helps you complete the task correctly.
Your friend says, “I'm not putting my job on my resume because I only worked there for two months.” Give them one reason they might include it anyway.
Short experience can still demonstrate useful skills, reliability, customer service, teamwork, or initiative, depending on the role.
You’re in the middle of a Zoom interview for a job you really want, and your Wi-Fi suddenly goes out. What are at least two things you could do to handle the situation professionally?
Try reconnecting to the Wi-Fi and rejoining the Zoom meeting.
Use your phone’s mobile data or hotspot if available.
Email or call the interviewer as soon as possible to explain the technical issue.
Ask whether you can continue by phone or reschedule if you can't reconnect
Keep your message brief, polite, and professional.
Red or Green Flag: A job says it pays $30 an hour. The posting doesn't explain the duties, location, or schedule.
I need more information. The pay sounds appealing, but you need to verify the employer and understand the job.
You earn $16 an hour and work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Before taxes or deductions, how much did you earn this week?
$640, multiply 16x8x5
You have an interview tomorrow, but you just realized you don't know how to get to the location. What should you do?
Check the route, travel time, cost, and backup options now. Contact the employer if you need to clarify the location.
You get offered your dream internship, but it pays nothing. At the same time, you get offered a paid job that isn't related to your interests. You need money, but you also want experience for your future career.
How do you decide which opportunity to take? What information would you need before choosing?
You get hired for a job based on the schedule they promised during your interview. After two weeks, your manager starts regularly scheduling you during times you said you were unavailable. When you bring it up, they say, “That's just how this industry works.”
What are your options, and how would you decide whether to stay or leave?
Don’t automatically accept “that’s just how the industry works” as a reason to ignore your agreed-upon availability. Review what your employer originally promised, communicate clearly about the scheduling conflict, and ask whether a consistent schedule is possible. If the issue continues, consider whether the job is still a good fit for you.
Example response: “I understand schedules can change, but I accepted this position based on the availability we discussed. Can we work out a schedule that meets the needs of the business while respecting my availability?”
Red or Green Flag: Someone offers you a job, sends you a check to deposit, and asks you to send some of the money back for equipment.
Major red flag!!! This is a common fake-check scam. Don't send money; contact your bank if you've deposited the check.
You get a $500 bonus. You have $200 in overdue bills, need $100 for transportation and essentials, want to save for a laptop that costs $400, and promised your friends you'd go out this weekend. Explain how you'd allocate the money and defend your choices.
Open-ended. Strong answers prioritize overdue obligations and essentials, consider any late fees or consequences, and make a realistic plan for the laptop and going out. Award points for the reasoning, not for one exact budget.
A coworker asks you to clock in for them even though they're not at work. They promise to return the favor. What is the smartest move?
Don't falsify time records. Explain that you can't do that and follow workplace procedures if needed.
You have three job offers: one pays the most, one has a totally flexible schedule where you can pick your own hours, and one offers training that will guarantee your future goals. Convince the class which one you should choose
Open-ended. Points awarded for a persuasive argument that considers priorities and trade-offs.
Your manager gives you feedback that you think is unfair. You're frustrated because you worked hard, and you really want to explain why they're wrong.
How can you disagree with your manager while still advocating for yourself professionally? Give an example of what you could say.
Stay calm and listen to the feedback before responding. Explain your perspective respectfully, using specific examples of your work to support your point. Ask clarifying questions if needed, and work with your manager to agree on next steps.
Red or Green Flag: An employer offers you a remote job. They interview you entirely through text messages, offer you the job immediately, and ask for your bank account information to set up direct deposit before you've verified the company. Is this automatically a scam? What should you do next?
These are major warning signs, but investigate before making a definitive conclusion. Verify the company through its official website and independently confirmed contact information. Don't share sensitive financial information until you've confirmed the employer and the hiring process is legitimate.
Your paycheck is smaller than you expected. Name two things you should check before assuming your employer made a mistake.
Hours worked, hourly rate, pay period, taxes and other deductions (health insurance, retirement deductions, etc.). If it still doesn't add up, THEN ask payroll or your manager.
Your manager asks you to do something you believe is unsafe. They're busy, your coworkers say everyone does it, and you don't want to seem difficult. What should you do, and how can you communicate your concern professionally?
Don't proceed with something you reasonably believe is unsafe. Explain the concern clearly, ask for safe instructions, and follow workplace safety procedures or contact the appropriate supervisor if needed. Peer pressure doesn't make an unsafe task okay.
Your coworker tells you that your manager has been talking badly about you. Your manager hasn't said anything to you directly, and you aren't sure whether your coworker is telling the truth.
What do you do next, and what would make your response professional rather than adding to the drama?
Don’t assume the rumor is true or confront your manager based only on what your coworker said. Stay professional, focus on your work, and if you have concerns, consider having a calm, private conversation with your manager to ask for feedback directly.
Example response: “I wanted to check in and see if you have any feedback about my work or anything I should be aware of. I want to make sure we're communicating clearly.”
You've been working at a job for three months. You're reliable, your manager likes you, and you've taken on extra responsibilities. However, you're still earning the same amount as when you started, and you want to ask for a raise.
How would you prepare for that conversation, make your case, and respond if your manager says no?
: Prepare specific examples of your contributions, including your reliability, extra responsibilities, and accomplishments. Research typical pay for similar roles if possible, then request a meeting with your manager to make your case professionally. If your manager says no, ask what goals you would need to meet to be considered for a raise in the future.
Example response: “I’ve really enjoyed working here, and over the past three months, I’ve consistently shown up reliably and taken on additional responsibilities. I’d like to discuss whether my pay can reflect the work I’m doing. What would that process look like?”