Internship or Exploitation? 7 Warning Signs You Can't Ignore

Red Flag #1: The Job Description is a Mystery

A legitimate internship is a structured learning experience. Therefore, the company should be able to tell you exactly what you'll be doing and what you'll learn.

Watch out for:

• Vague Language: Descriptions filled with buzzwords like "dynamic environment," "synergy," and "wearing many hats" but with no concrete tasks.
• Focus on Grunt Work: If the main duties listed are "making coffee," "running errands," "filing documents," or "data entry," it's not an internship—it's an unpaid assistant role.
• A Missing Description: If they can't provide a written job description at all, run.

A real internship will have clear goals, like "assist the marketing team with social media content creation," "learn to code using Python for data analysis," or "support project managers in client-facing meetings."

Red Flag #2: The Unpaid Work Trap

This is the most common and confusing issue. The "unpaid internship" is a gray area, but there are clear rules that separate a legal, educational experience from illegal, free labor.

The key principle is this: the primary beneficiary of the internship must be the intern, not the company.

When an Unpaid Internship Might Be Okay

An unpaid position is generally considered legitimate only if it meets strict criteria, such as:

1. It is a core part of a formal education program (i.e., you receive university credit).
2. The work you do complements, rather than displaces, the work of paid employees.
3. You receive training and mentorship that is equivalent to what you would get in a classroom.
4. There is no guarantee or expectation of a paid job at the end.

When It's Pure Exploitation

If you are doing tasks that a paid employee would normally do, contributing directly to the company's revenue, and receiving little to no training or mentorship, you are being exploited. You are an employee, and you should be paid.

Red Flag #3: The "Pay to Play" Scam

This is an unambiguous, five-alarm fire. You should never have to pay for an internship.

Scammers prey on eager students by asking for money upfront. They might disguise it as:

• A "training fee"
• A "background check fee"
• Payment for special software
• A "placement" or "application" fee

Legitimate companies invest in their interns; they don't charge them. If you see any request for money, cease all communication immediately.

Red Flag #4: The Interview Feels Off

The interview process is a two-way street. It's your chance to vet them, just as they are vetting you. An unprofessional process is a huge warning sign.

• No Face-to-Face Interaction: If they only want to communicate via text or email and avoid a video or in-person call, they may be hiding something (or they may not be real).
• They Don't Ask You Questions: A real employer wants to know about your skills, goals, and experience. If they seem uninterested in you, they're likely just looking for a warm body to do free work.
• They Won't Answer Your Questions: Do they get defensive when you ask about learning outcomes, mentorship, or company culture? A good manager will welcome these questions.

Red Flag #5: The Guaranteed Job Offer

While many internships can lead to a job, a promise right at the start is a classic manipulation tactic. They dangle the carrot of a future job to convince you to accept poor conditions or no pay now.

A reputable company will say something like, "High-performing interns will be strongly considered for full-time roles as they become available." They will not say, "Work for us for free for three months, and you're guaranteed a job."

Red Flag #6: No Structure, No Mentorship

An internship's value comes from learning and guidance. Ask the hiring manager directly:

• "Who will I be reporting to?"
• "Will I have a designated mentor?"
• "What do you envision my first few weeks looking like?"
• "Are there formal check-ins or performance reviews?"

If they can't answer these questions, it's a sign that you'll be left to fend for yourself without any meaningful guidance.

Red Flag #7: Trust Your Gut

Finally, if something feels wrong, it probably is. Don't let the pressure to find an internship cause you to ignore your intuition. If the communication feels sketchy, the office environment seems toxic, or the offer seems too good to be true, it’s okay to walk away. There are plenty of fantastic opportunities out there that won't require you to compromise your standards or your sanity.

Armed with this knowledge, you’re ready to find a fantastic internship that kick-starts your career. The next step is making sure your application shines, and a professionally crafted resume from a service like resumost.com can make all the difference when you're applying for those top-tier, legitimate opportunities.

Be smart, be safe, and go find an internship that truly values you.