Toxic Interview Questions

Toxic Interview Questions by Market-Connections Professional Resume Writing Services

Interview Questions Indicating a Toxic Workplace

Job interviews are not just an opportunity for employers to evaluate you; they’re also your chance to evaluate them. While you’re answering questions about your skills and experience, pay close attention to the way interviewers frame their questions. Sometimes, their wording can reveal warning signs about the company culture, leadership style, and overall work environment.

Recognizing Red Flags Before You Commit

Before exploring the specific interview questions that may signal a toxic workplace, it’s important to understand why these subtle cues matter during the hiring process. Interviews offer a valuable chance to assess whether the company aligns with your values, boundaries, and long-term goals. By sharpening your awareness and using smart job search strategies, you can spot cultural issues early and protect yourself from stepping into an unhealthy environment. These insights also help you make stronger, more informed decisions as you seek career guidance that supports your growth. 

​Below are interview questions that may indicate a toxic workplace, and how to spot the red flags hidden within them.

1. “We’re Like a Family Here. Are You Willing to Go Above and Beyond?”

At first glance, this might sound warm and inviting. But in many cases, “like a family” can be code for blurring work-life boundaries and expecting unpaid overtime. If “above and beyond” is not clearly tied to occasional, reasonable efforts, it may suggest a culture of chronic overwork where burnout is common.
​
What to watch for:

• Vague definitions of “above and beyond.”
• Stories from employees about working late nights or weekends as the norm.

2. “How Do You Handle Stress or Pressure in a Fast-Paced Environment?”

There’s nothing wrong with a fast-paced workplace, unless “fast-paced” is being used as a euphemism for chaotic, understaffed, and poorly managed. This question can be a red flag if the interviewer emphasizes stress as an everyday part of the role without mentioning tools, support, or resources to manage it.
​
What to watch for:

• Phrases like “we all wear many hats” without mention of adequate staffing.
• A dismissive attitude toward work-life balance.

3. “Are You Comfortable Being Available Outside of Regular Work Hours?”

This question suggests poor boundaries and could indicate an expectation of being “on call” without extra pay. Unless the role is in an industry where after-hours availability is standard, this could be a sign of a company that doesn’t respect personal time.
​
What to watch for:

• No mention of additional compensation for after-hours work.
• Vague or shifting definitions of “urgent” tasks.

4. “How Do You Feel About Handling Responsibilities Outside Your Job Description?”

A little flexibility is normal, but if a company is asking this upfront, it might mean role creep, taking on extra work without recognition or pay. This often happens in workplaces that are disorganized or exploitative, using “team player” language to justify overloading employees.
​
What to watch for:

• A history of frequent turnover.
• Lack of clarity in the job description.

5. “What Would You Do if You Disagreed with Your Manager?”

While this could be a legitimate behavioral question, sometimes it’s a subtle probe into how much pushback they can expect, and whether you’ll tolerate poor leadership. If their follow-up tone suggests disagreement is unwelcome, you may be looking at a hierarchical, fear-based environment.
​
What to watch for:

• Emphasis on compliance over collaboration.
• No examples of healthy conflict resolution.

6. “We Expect Our Employees to Be Resilient. How Resilient Are You?”

Resilience is a great quality; but when overemphasized, it can be code for tolerating dysfunction. In a toxic culture, “resilience” often means putting up with constant crises, impossible workloads, or mistreatment without complaint.
​
What to watch for:

• Overuse of “resilience” or “toughness” without mention of support systems.
• Little discussion of employee well-being.

7. “Do You Consider Yourself Competitive?”

Some industries thrive on competition, but if competitiveness is pushed in every role, it may point to a cutthroat environment where colleagues undermine each other instead of collaborating. This can lead to mistrust, favoritism, and workplace politics.
​
What to watch for:

• No mention of team collaboration or shared goals.
• Heavy emphasis on outperforming coworkers rather than contributing collectively.

8. “We Want People Who Are Willing to Do Whatever it Takes to Succeed. Is That You?”

This is often the clearest sign of unrealistic expectations. Without clear limits, “whatever it takes” can mean sacrificing health, personal life, and ethical boundaries.
​
What to watch for:

• No clear metrics for success.
• A culture that glorifies overwork.

9. “What’s Your Minimum Acceptable Salary?”

While salary questions are normal, asking about the minimum you’ll accept can be a sign they’re looking to pay the least amount possible rather than offering fair market value. This may point to a company that undervalues its employees from the start.
​
What to watch for:

• Avoidance of salary range discussions.
• No transparency about pay scales or growth opportunities.

10. “Will You Be Committed to Staying at Least Two Years in This Role?”

This can signal high turnover or an attempt to lock employees into a situation before they truly understand the culture. While stability is valuable, overly strict commitment requests may indicate they’re concerned people leave quickly, possibly for good reason.
​
What to watch for:

• Avoidance when asked why turnover is high.
• Lack of clear career development plans.

11. “What’s Your Biggest Failure So Far in Your Career?”

This is a common interview question, but in a toxic workplace, it might be asked to probe for weaknesses to exploit rather than to understand your learning process. If the interviewer’s reaction feels judgmental rather than curious, it’s a bad sign.
​
What to watch for:

• No follow-up questions about lessons learned.
• Negative or dismissive responses to your answer.

12. “How do You Deal with Difficult Coworkers or Managers?”

This could be a subtle admission that challenging personalities are already part of the team. If they seem overly interested in your tolerance for difficult behavior, you may be stepping into a dysfunctional dynamic.
​
What to watch for:

• Avoidance when you ask about team collaboration.
• Stories that hint at unresolved conflict or poor leadership.

13. Watch Out if they Don’t Give You an Opportunity to Ask Questions

A healthy interview process allows you to ask your questions at the end. If the interviewer skips this entirely or rushes through it, it could mean they don’t value transparency or don’t want you to uncover red flags.
​
What to watch for:

• Repeatedly dodging your questions.
• Short, vague, or inconsistent answers.

How to Respond to Potential Red Flags

When you hear these kinds of questions, you don’t have to walk out immediately; but you should dig deeper. Follow up with clarifying questions, such as:
​

• “Can you give me an example of what ‘above and beyond’ looks like in this role?”
• “How does the company support employees during high-pressure periods?”
• “What’s the typical work schedule for this position?”

​If their answers are vague, defensive, or dismissive, trust your instincts.

Final Thoughts

A job interview is a two-way street. You’re evaluating them as much as they’re evaluating you. By recognizing interview questions that may indicate a toxic workplace, you can make more informed decisions and avoid stepping into an unhealthy environment.

Remember: The right job will respect your time, your boundaries, and your well-being.

About the Author

Mandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes.
 
Feel free to connect with Mandy Fard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandyfard/
 
Please follow Market-Connections Resume Services on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/market-connections-resume-services.com

Top Tips for Getting the Most out of Career Coaching: Top tips for getting the most out of career coaching by an executive recruiter and certified career coach at https://www.market-connections.net

Source: https://www.market-connections.net/blog/top-tips-for-getting-the-most-out-of-career-coaching

Top Tips for Getting the Most out of Career Coaching

There are unlimited ways to get coaching services these days. One internet search will produce thousands of results for all forms of coaching. Finding coaching is easy, getting the most out of coaching….not so much.

Getting the most out of career coaching has more to do with you than it does with your coach. Assuming your coach is reputable and knows how to deliver excellent coaching, the rest is going to be up to you.
 
Here are some top tips for getting the most out of career coaching before you dive in:
 

• Top-Tip: Find the right career coach
• Top-Tip: Listen more than you talk
• Top-Tip: Stick with it

Find The Right Career Coach

Find the right career coach- Finding the right career coach for your needs is the most important part of coaching. If you don’t have the right career coach for the job, it simply won’t work. You wouldn’t hire a fitness coach to teach you to potty train a toddler. Be sure to research and find the right career coach for your needs.
 
The right coach should specialize in what you need most. Perhaps you need help with job searching and need someone to show you where to start and how to build a system for yourself. Or maybe you need help with working with recruiters and salary negotiations. Perhaps a mid-life career change is what you have in mind. Try to find a career coach with a niche as close to what you need as possible. Hiring a career coach is great but hiring a career coach who specializes in how to negotiate salary when you need to learn about how to evaluate a job offer, makes the most sense.

Listen More Than You Talk

Listen more than you talk- Let the coach do their thing. Coaching isn’t therapy. You need to allow the coach to take you on the journey to what you hired them for. Let them teach you, coach you, and educate you so you can take in as much during your coaching time as possible.

The right coach should offer materials that supplement their coaching. People learn in many ways, having supporting materials can help. If your coach offers videos, slide decks, audios, or one-on-one coaching, use it all to help you achieve your goals. Use your time to take in as much info as possible without being distracted.

Stick With It

Stick with it- Some people may give up coaching too quickly. Stick with your coach and make a plan together to evaluate your coaching along the way to ensure it’s a win-win. Nothing happens overnight; so, be willing to invest in your future and stick with coaching until you hit your goals for professional development.

The right coach will help you evaluate your progress and give you feedback along the way on whether or not you are closer to or farther away from your goals. Checking n can help you make any changes that will keep you on track. You have to follow the tips on tips to stay motivated and above all, don’t give up when it gets tough or it seems like things aren’t working. Communicate and stick with it.

There are great coaches out there. Once you find one, you’ve got to do your part to get the most out of coaching. Follow these top tips to be sure you get the best coaching and that you make the most of your investment. 

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About the Author Mandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. Join Mandy Fard on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandyfard/ ​Follow Market-Connections on LinkedIn:  ​https://www.linkedin.com/company/market-connections-resume-services.com

How to handle a virtual interview

All About Video Interviews

There are two types of video interviews — live interviews (using Skype, FaceTime, or LiveMessenger) and recorded Question-and-Answer interviews, also called “time-shifted” video interviews.

In a recorded interview, the jobseeker is directed to a website to answer questions on video, using their computer’s webcam. Video interviews provide an apples-to-apples approach to assessing candidates. All applicants are asked the same questions, and the hiring manager can review and rate the responses. These interviews can be easily set up by the company’s HR staff and the recording forwarded to the hiring manager for selection for the next round of interviews.

Some of the technology providers for time-shifted video interviews include:

1. ​ HireVue (www.hirevue.com)
2.  InterviewStream (www.interviewstream.com)
3.  Take the Interview (www.taketheinterview.com)
4.  JobOn (https://www.jobon.com/)
5.  VideoView (https://videoview.com/)

More common, however, are live video interviews.

In 2012, Robert Half reported in a press release that a survey by OfficeTeam found that 63 percent of HR managers use video technology to conduct job interviews. This was a significant increase from 14 percent who conducted Skype interviews in 2011.

Skype usage has increased dramatically in recent years: more than 300 million minutes of video calls are logged every day. An increasing number of those calls are job interviews.​

In 2018, CNBC reported that job interviews are more commonly conducted by AI robots and included this video to show how AI is changing the way you apply for jobs:​​

This is how AI is changing the way you apply for jobs.

On September 20th, 2018, The Wall Street Journal provided details in an episode of Moving Upstream and included this video to show  "how new data science tools are determining who gets hired". 

Video Interview Preparation

Prepare as if you were sitting across the desk from the interviewer. ​You can practice a video interview on a computer with a webcam, using the Skype app, or using traditional camera equipment.

Even though online interviews are being conducted by webcam, they are “real” live interviews, and you should be as prepared as if you were sitting across the desk from the interviewer. In fact, you may have to prepare more! After all, you do not have to clean your room before going off to an in-person job interview, but you do need to clear a space for your online interview.

In a 2017 article about "How to prepare for a job interview", CNBC reminds us to be carefull about our vocabulary and warns us against our use of "filler words".
Each job bord also offers its own advice about video interviews.

- Indeed provides the "Video Interview Guide: Tips for a Successful Interview"
- Monster.com lists its advice in form of "5 things you must do to prepare for a job interview"

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Be mindful of where you set up for your video interview. Be sure the area is free of visual distractions (clutter). Carefully consider what is in the background of your AI interview. Make the background interesting, but not distracting. Plain white walls are fine, but boring. Can you frame a desk or bookshelves behind you instead?

Check out your technology well in advance of the interview. Make sure you have Internet connectivity
Make sure your webcam and microphone are working and that your webcam is providing a decent picture. (High definition webcams are available for under $100, if yours is not providing a clear picture.)

You may also have to download the software if it is the first time you are using the application.

One of the best things you can do to prepare for a live video interview is practice. Practice filming a couple of interviews with friends or family members before your job interview. Check the lighting and your volume.

As with a phone interview, recording your practice video interview can help you identify areas to work on, or fix. Have your test partner take a few videos.

Be sure to account for any time zone differences before the interview.

Video Interview Do’s and Don’ts

​Review the guidelines for phone interviews, but also keep these “do’s” and “don’ts” in mind.

DO:

Dress nicely — more than one jobseeker has scheduled a video interview, thinking it would be voice only — and then accidentally found himself or herself on a video  call.
​
Dress from head-to-toe. You may think you do not need to wear dress pants with the shirt and tie since the interviewer is only going to see the top half of your outfit. But you should always expect the unexpected. You never know when you might need to stand during an interview. Pajama pants, jeans,  or shorts with a dress shirt, tie, and jacket just do not work.
 
Keep your clothing color choice in mind. Check how the colors of your clothing appear on camera. Just like TV news anchors avoid some colors — and most small patterns, pick colors that will show up well on video. Jewel tones or pastel colors work best. Do not wear white or black.
 
Practice your video interview wearing the exact outfit you are planning to wear. This trial run will also allow you to test the volume of your system, see how the interview software works (if you are not familiar with it), and make sure your lighting is appropriate.
​

​Lighting is impoeak, not at the interviewer’s face on your screen. When you look into the cartant for video interviews. If the light source is behind you, you may appear as a dark silhouette on the screen. Position a lamp or other light source in front of you.

Ensure that your profile photo is professional. This is your first impression from a physical standpoint in a video conference.

Positioning is also important. Prop up the computer so that you are not looking down at it and practice where to sit so you are framed correctly by the webcam. Make sure your torso is visible — including your hands — especially if you “talk” with your hands.

Look at the webcam when you spmera, it appears to the interviewer that you are looking at them directly.

One “pro” tip is to use a USB-connected headset for an interview instead of using the computer’s speakers. Headsets are inexpensive and can provide a much clearer interview experience.
 
If possible, use a wired Internet connection (plug directly into the Ethernet port) instead of using a wireless connection.
 
If you are using a laptop for the online interview session, plug it in so you have plenty of “juice” (battery life) for the call. You do not want to have to dig for a cord to keep the computer from shutting down.
 
Turn off notifications on your computer and close your other software programs. You do not want to be distracted by beeps every time you receive an email.
 
Speaking of distractions, it is easy to tell on a video interview if you are not paying attention, so keep your focus on the interviewer.
 
Dial up the enthusiasm! Someone who speaks with normal energy in a one-on-one conversation can come across as flat and monotone on a video interview. So it is important to be a little more enthusiastic in a virtual interview than in-person.
 
Smiling is an important strategy for video interviews. Most of the time, when we are listening to someone else, we have a blank expression on our face. But on a video interview, a blank expression comes across as a frown. Keep a slight smile on your face: not a huge grin, just show a few teeth and raise your cheeks slightly. Practice this in a mirror ahead of time.
 
Lean in. You have probably heard that “the camera adds 10 pounds.” The reason for this is that many people lean backwards in their chair, when they should be leaning forward. If you sit back and relax in your chair your head will be further away from the webcam than your stomach. Unfortunately, the camera latches on to whatever is closest…your gut!
 
For women, pay careful attention to your hair and makeup in video interviews. Again, a practice interview session can help you assess this. You may even hire Interview Coaching services.
 
Be mindful of your habits. Just like in a face-to-face interview, the interviewer will notice when you twirl your hair or chew your lip.

You can take notes during an online interview, but do not take too many, or you will come off looking distracted. Take notes with a pen and paper, not on your computer.
 
If you have an online portfolio, keep the link handy. You may want to share it with your interviewer. 

DO NOT:

• Choose a cutesy or unprofessional online name — no nicknames and minimize numbers and keyboard characters. Online, your first impression is your username and photo, so make sure both are professional. Your best bet is your first name and last name as your username.
• Forget to verify the timing of your interview — taking in account any time zone differences.
• Be too quick to answer. With video, there is sometimes a delay or interference, so make sure you pause before answering a question to avoid overtalking the interviewer.
• Forget to silence your cell phone when you are on a video interview.

What to do at the end of the Interview

As with an in-person interview, be sure to inquire about what the next step will be. And write a handwritten thank you note or email as soon as you are off the call.

Follow-up is key after a phone or video interview. Research indicates that employers are less likely to keep jobseekers up-to-date about their prospects with the company after a phone interview than with an in-person interview.

In a published article on Business Insider, Jessica Liebman, the Excecutive Managing Editor explains the following:

Apr. 5, 2019

I've been hiring people for 10 years, and I still swear by a simple rule: If someone doesn't send a "THANK-YOU EMAIL", don't hire them.

 - Jessica Liebman

Executive Managing Editor of Business Insider and INSIDER

Checklist for a virtual Interview

► ► BE ORGANIZED ◄◄

1. Print out a hard copy of your résumé (make sure it is the same version the interviewer has), cover letter, and the job posting/job description.

2. Prepare your list of questions you want to ask in the interview.

3. Assemble your talking points and company research.

4. Record a professional voicemail message on your phone.

5. Have a glass of water nearby in case your throat gets too dry.

6. If using a cell phone, have your phone charger and an outlet nearby.

7. If using a laptop, make sure it is plugged-in and is charging.

8. Eliminate any distractions and put up a “Do Not Disturb” sign.

9. Have your calendar handy in case you are asked to schedule your next interview.

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