If you’re in the market for a new job, you’ve probably updated your resume and LinkedIn account to showcase yourself in the best possible way.
As you start to receive requests for interviews, you’ll realize that prospective companies are doing the exact same. Just like you, they want to highlight all of the perks and positives of being an employee at their company. But as we all know, every job has its pros and cons.
When interviewing for a new job, it’s crucial to figure out if the cons are manageable … or a sign of a toxic work culture—which could lead to serious stress on your mental and physical health.
Here are few ways you can tell if a job may not be a good fit for you.
Bad Reviews on Glassdoor
Check out Glassdoor to see what current and former employees have said about working for a prospective employer. If you consistently see bad reviews, it may be a sign to steer clear.
Your Interviewer is Poorly Prepared
Once you arrive for your interview, take a mental snapshot of the interview. Was your interviewer on-time? Did they seem prepared? Were you asked meaningful questions? You’ll get a gut feeling during and after your interview about how things went—listen to your intuition.
Poor Communication Post-Interview
If you are left waiting for weeks on-end for a response to your interview, it may be a sign that they are pursuing another candidate or disorganized.
You’re Offered the Job with a Tight-Turnaround
Once you finally receive a response to your interview, take note of how quickly they would like you to respond. If they ask for an immediate answer, be wary—they could be desperate to fill the position. Employers should give you time to process your decision.
Spotting toxic work cultures is not always easy, and many of us will accept jobs, only to find out shortly after that we are in not-so-great situations. Try to keep the above tips in mind while searching for a new job to help save you some time and stress.
How do you spot toxic work environments? Let us know @StarterNoise.
Derek Rundell, is a successful business leader, operator, and serial entrepreneur. Derek has founded, managed and sold businesses in the technology, media and finance industries. He sits on several boards and serves as an advisor/investor to numerous established businesses and startups. Startups are Derek’s real passion, and in addition to building his own portfolio of technology, media and financial ventures, he invests in and mentors startups and entrepreneurs. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and helping other businesses succeed.