A job interview is as much about you deciding if the role is right for you as it is about the employer finding out if you’re a good fit, so it’s a great chance to spot signs of a toxic working environment.
It’s easy to get caught up in perfecting answers to their questions, but asking your own questions can be a smart move. The interview is your chance to gauge whether this is a healthy work environment and culture where you will thrive or one that might drain you.
So, what are the red flags for toxic jobs?
- Vague answers to your questions about company culture
You should always ask about company culture. This could be a big indicator of what it’s like to work for the organisation and if it is going to be a good fit for you based on your personal values, your non-negotiables and what motivates you to be at your best. If the interviewer can’t give you clear, specific examples of what makes the workplace positive or what their values look like in practice, it’s a sign that something’s off.
Encourage the interviewers to talk about how they live their values or deliver their commitments to employees as outlined on their website. Ask them to explain more about the things that attracted you to them as an organisation, so you leave the interview armed with information to help your final decision making.
- High turnover or a revolving door of staff
When you ask how long people stay in the role or within the company, watch how they answer. Do they dodge the question or get a bit awkward? If a company has high turnover, there’s usually a reason for it – stress, burnout, lack of support, or poor management. Don’t be afraid to ask why the role is vacant. A healthy workplace will be transparent about growth or natural turnover. It could be positive if the predecessor has been promoted or has progressed into another role within the business for example but if people are leaving in droves, it could be a sign that the culture may be toxic.
Recent UK statistics show that more than 40% of employees have left a job due to dissatisfaction with management. This high turnover rate can be a significant indicator of potential workplace toxicity.
- Negative comments about current or former employees
If your interviewer bad-mouths current staff or ex-employees, that’s another potential red flag. If they’re willing to speak negatively about others in front of you, imagine how they might talk about you when you’re not around. This type of behaviour could point to a culture of blame, gossip, or backstabbing that may be a cause for concern. A good manager would be sensitive and respectful about circumstances and people involved, so think carefully if you hear these kind of comments or observe inappropriate behaviours that may indicate non-inclusive, unethical or inappropriate practices.
- Unrealistic expectations or unclear job scope
Ask about the expectations for the role and what success looks like in the first six months. If the answer seems vague, overly ambitious, or there’s no clear path for support or progression, you could be walking into a job with unclear boundaries and unrealistic workloads. This may be an exciting stretch and adventure for some but it could be a major cause of stress for others. How comfortable do you feel with ambiguity and lack of direction – is this something you would like and enjoy or is it something that would leave you feeling unsupported and lost?
- A chaotic or disorganised interview process
How the interview is handled can tell you a lot about the company’s internal structure. How well did they communicate throughout the process? Did they reschedule at the last minute, or were they disorganised before or during the interview? While one hiccup might be normal, consistent disorganisation could suggest a lack of structure or communication, which may trickle down to your day-to-day work. Ask questions to explore whether your experience is indicative of what to expect in a future role with the organisation/manager and consider whether this is going to work for you.
- Disgruntled former employees
Doing your research using review sites like Glassdoor, Indeed and Google Reviews can give you an insight into the company culture. What do former employees say about the organisation and work environment? How do they describe management? Whilst there has to be some tolerance that some people will complain about everything, these reviews could be an insight into the culture. Do your research and follow this up at interview asking questions about your findings.
- No mention of development or career progression
When you ask about training, development, or career progression, pay attention to the response. If there’s little focus on how they help employees grow, or they can’t give examples of others who have progressed within the company, you might be entering a place with no real investment in your future. Explore and discuss what opportunities exist to continually develop personally and professionally, ask about access to mentoring schemes or coaching support and peer learning as well as any more formal training that will help you continue to learn, grow and develop in the fast-changing world of work. A healthy workplace will want to see you develop and thrive, offering support along the way to keep you at the top of your game
Research shows that 82% of UK workers who enter management positions have not received any formal management and leadership training. This lack of development opportunities can contribute to toxic workplace behaviours.
The power of asking your own questions to uncover toxic workplace red flags
Preparing to answer a prospective employer’s questions is one thing, but asking your own well-thought-out questions gives you control in the interview and helps you figure out if this is the right place for you. Don’t be afraid to dig deep and challenge them – after all, you’re interviewing them just as much as they’re interviewing you.
Make sure you leave the interview with a clear picture of what life in that role and company would really be like. Because at the end of the day, you want to make sure the job you accept is going to enable you to be yourself, support you to achieve your best and enable you to thrive and grow – not drain and demoralise you.
Recent studies found one-third of UK employees have experienced working under a ‘toxic manager’ in the last five years. By being cautious and curious during the interview process and looking out for these signs, you can better protect yourself from potentially toxic work environments.
If you’d like to explore toxic workplace signs or discuss how to navigate the job market effectively, email me to book a free initial conversation about how I can support you in a successful job search.
