How to spot a toxic job during your job search

By Jasmine Escalera, PhD, Career Expert, MyPerfectResume

Starting your career is exciting for sure but it can also feel overwhelming. For many new graduates and early-career professionals, a big priority is landing that first role. Getting the job matters, but just as important is the environment you’ll be walking into.

The right work environment can give you room to grow and help you become the confident professional you’re striving to be. On the flip side, the wrong workplace can stall your growth (significantly), drain your energy, and leave you burnt out. In fact, a recent report from resume builder MyPerfectResume found that 88% of employees are experiencing burnout. This number alone should highlight the importance of choosing the right company. 

So how do you recognize whether a workplace is healthy or toxic during your job search? The good news is there are clues if you know where to look. Here are the key stages in your job search where you can uncover the truth about a potential employer.

Stage 1: Reading Between the Lines of Job Descriptions

The job description itself can reveal a lot about the culture you’ll potentially walk into. Here are some red flags to look out for:

• Vague or unclear language. If the description doesn’t outline clear responsibilities, that’s often a sign the role isn’t well defined. You may end up wearing “many hats,” which can sound exciting at first, but could very quickly turn into multiple jobs without support or fair pay.
• Overly demanding tone. Words like “must thrive under pressure” or “fast-paced environment” can sometimes mean you’ll be working long hours with little interest in supporting your needs for work-life balance. 
• Buzzwords with no explanation. Terms like “work hard, play hard” or “like a family” may sound warm and fuzzy, but they can also mask a culture where boundaries aren’t respected and loyalty is expected. 

On the flip side, strong job descriptions typically:

• Clearly outline key responsibilities for the role.
• Highlight how success in the role will be measured and determined. 
• Include information about professional development and growth opportunities. 

Remember that the job description is your first introduction to the company, and how it potentially operates. If the job description feels unclear or unrealistic on paper, chances are it will feel that way in real life, too.

Stage 2: Asking the Right Questions in the Interview

One key thing most job seekers miss about interviews is that you’re not just there to sell yourself—you’re also gathering concrete information about the role and the company to assess fit. Here is how you can navigate an interview from an empowered place. 

Get clear on what you want

Before you even start interviewing take time to reflect on these questions:

• Do I want a highly collaborative environment, or more independent work?
• How important is mentorship and training to me?
• What kind of leadership style helps me thrive?
• What are my non-negotiables for work–life balance?
• Do I want to work at a large, structured organization or a smaller, fast-moving one?
• How much variety do I want in my day-to-day tasks versus a consistent routine?
• How important is a company’s commitment to values like diversity, equity, and inclusion?

Having this level of clarity going into an interview ensures you can better assess if the company matches your needs.

Ask questions that reveal the company culture

Some examples of great questions to ask include:

• “How does the team handle high-pressure deadlines?”
• “What does professional development look like here?”
• “Can you tell me about a time when feedback was shared across the team?”
• “How does leadership support work–life balance?”

When you’re receiving the response listen not just to the words, but also the tone. Do they hesitate? Do they give generic answers? Or do they provide specific examples that make you feel confident about the company?

Expand your interview reach

Don’t just interview with the hiring manager. Whenever possible, ask to meet the team members you’ll be working with day-to-day. These conversations can give you the best sense of what it is like to work at the company. 

Stage 3: Trust Your Gut After the Interview

After each interview, pause and check in with yourself reflecting on these questions:

• How did the conversation make me feel? Energized, respected, and excited? Or uneasy and unsure?
• Were there any red flags? These are definite dealbreakers and connect to your non-negotiables. 
• Were there yellow flags? These are subtler — things that might not be dealbreakers but deserve a second thought.

This is the gold mine that many job seekers skip. By doing this reflection after every interview, you build a clearer picture of whether this environment is right for you. And you can better decide if you want to stay in the process or walk away. Because remember, you choose the company just as much as they choose you. 

Stage 4: Evaluating the Offer Stage

When you get to the offer stage you can for sure celebrate. This is a major win. But don’t stop at this point. There can even be telltale signs of a disorganized or even toxic workplace at this point of the job search. Let’s start with what a healthy job offer process looks like:

• You feel like the company is courting you, not pressuring you. Every company should respect your time to consider the offer and always answer your final questions.
• You receive a clear offer letter, full benefits details, and transparent compensation.
• They’re open to discussing the package, salary, and addressing your concerns.

And here’s what a toxic offer process can look like:

• They rush you to sign quickly, without giving you time to review.
• They avoid giving clear answers about benefits or growth opportunities.
• They make you feel like you’re lucky to have the job, rather than excited to welcome you.

If the offer stage is giving you the ‘ick’ or leaves you feeling dismissed or rushed, it’s a strong sign things likely won’t get better once you’re hired.

Be an Empowered Jobseeker

The workplace you choose will ultimately affect your wellbeing, performance, and long-term career trajectory. Stepping into the wrong company could bring you burnout instead of growth. So it is essential you choose wisely, and always be an empowered jobseeker. By focusing on reading between the lines of job descriptions, asking intentional interview questions, and trusting your instincts, you put yourself in control of finding the workplace that will truly support your career.

At the end of the day you’re accepting a job and laying the foundation for a successful career future. So stay curious, stay confident, and remember that you deserve a workplace where you can thrive, and succeed.