Spotting a toxic workplace before accepting an offer

Editor’s note: This article is a re-run as part of our countdown of top stories from the past year.

Landing a job can be a dream come true. And hopping into a new gig can also backfire spectacularly.

To help avoid the latter scenario, Resume.io offers a raft of ways to spot a toxic workplace—before accepting an offer you seemingly can’t refuse.

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The guidance includes doing your due diligence before even applying for a position. Here’s what to watch for:

Start with Glassdoor. Don’t be daunted by one or two bad reviews, Resume.io suggests, but loads of scathing rants are an obvious cause for concern. Beyond raw employee takes on a company’s culture, leadership and business practices, use Glassdoor to dig up salary data and to discover which companies receive glowing reviews from employees.

Watch for vague job descriptions. Job descriptions should be specific, transparent and detailed. For example, does the listing outline the role’s daily responsibilities and to whom you’ll report? How about a reasonable salary range or a list of metrics by which a candidate will be judged?

Anything less than a meticulous, sharply edited summary of the position’s responsibilities should be viewed as a major red flag. (Job summaries that sound too good to be true should also raise suspicion.)

During the interview

If an organization passes your initial inspection, and you end up landing an interview, use that time to get a sense of a workplace’s true colors. Gain crucial insights by:

Ask questions. Whenever a recruiter hits you with the inevitable, “Do you have any questions for us?” that’s your cue to “politely probe into the company’s culture,” writes Resume.io. To do so, you might ask:

• What are the company’s core values?
• What are the challenges of working here/in the advertised position?
• How would you describe the team dynamic?
• Why did the previous person in this role leave?
• What do you like most about working for this company?
• What does success look like in this position?

If your interviewer seems unprepared, evasive or apathetic—or if the person doesn’t ask if you “have any questions”—you’ll probably want to take your talents elsewhere.

After the interview

After you hang up, Resume.io suggests assessing the quality of your interview. For instance, if the interview was way too short, or if you receive an offer straight away, beware of what you’re leaping into.

Be wary, skeptical and diligent as you seek greener pastures for your career. There are plenty of corporate wolves in sheep’s clothing out there, and always keep in mind that anyone can turn on the charm for 30 minutes. Read the rest of Resume.io’s research for more advice on looking before you leap.