Imagine sitting at your computer, scrolling through endless job posts, trying to find one that fits. Then, finally, you spot one that looks like a winner. It’s the title you want, in your city, and it actually sounds like your kind of company.
You click on it to learn more, and the first paragraph hits all the right notes. Everything you want to hear in a role? It’s there.
You’re ready to apply.
But then you scroll.
“We’re a family.”
“Let’s be friends.”
“Fast-paced, competitive environment.”
Wait… what?
By the end, it’s like someone slapped glitter over a mess, hoping you wouldn’t notice what’s underneath.
Warning signs appear in job descriptions, hiring posts, and even LinkedIn listings, but job seekers often overlook them in the rush to just land something. These subtle clues often reveal what a company is trying to hide: a toxic culture, internal sabotage, or blatant favoritism.
Let’s talk about the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs a company might not be all it’s cracked up to be, and how to spot the good ones, too.
Let’s Talk Red Flags
We asked our early-career community what job listings made them pause or nope-out completely.
The biggest red flag? A lack of transparency.
Many members pointed to things like:
- unlisted salary or massive salary range (100k – 300k)
- vague descriptions of the actual work
- companies that talk around their mission without ever saying what they actually do
- unrealistic job requirements/long list of qualifications
Organizations not being transparent isn’t new, but it’s important to know what to look for. Especially in the tech job market, where terms like ‘AI,’ ‘big data,’ or ‘machine learning’ are sometimes used as a smokescreen to disguise roles that are really just data entry, customer support, or undefined hybrid jobs.
Pay attention to what an organization is really saying. Some say “we are a family,” others push how “competitive” their environment is.
These might seem like opposite messages (sometimes they even show up in the same job post), but both can signal trouble. “We’re like a family” often means they expect too much. Your job isn’t your family, and it shouldn’t be.
Some other red flag buzzwords you should keep an eye out for are:
- Wear many hats → Usually code for “we don’t have clear roles, so you’ll be doing everything with little support.”
- Self-starter → Can mean “we won’t train you or set you up for success; you’re on your own.”
- “Passionate” / “Rockstar” / “Ninja” / “Guru” → Translation: “we expect you to give 110% while paying you far less than that effort is worth.”
- “Dynamic role” → A nice way of saying your job description will constantly change, and not in your favor.
- “Work hard, play hard” → Really means long hours and burnout, with a couple of cheap perks thrown in to make up for it.
- “No 9–5 mentality” → Basically we expect you to always be available: nights, weekends, and beyond.
One member put it this way: “When a company’s language screams that they’re ‘too good’ for you and they pride themselves on a ‘competitive work environment,’ that’s not a place to grow; it’s a place where you’re constantly proving you belong.”
Okay, so what about green flags?
Now that you know what to avoid, what should you be looking for?
A strong green flag? Organizations that are transparent. This includes:
- Clear application timeline
- Transparent salary range
- Total compensation (PTO, holidays, benefits)
- Realistic, defined responsibilities
- Interview process overview
- Role expectations (3 months, 9 months, 1 year)
Not every company will explain why a role is open, but when they do, it’s usually a good sign. Maybe it’s a reorg, maybe it’s a brand new role; either way, that context matters. If they dodge the question in the job posting, that’s fine. But if you ask directly in the interview and they hedge, downplay, or reluctantly admit it’s a brand new role with no real structure? That’s a red flag.
TL;DR — What to Look for When Reading a Job Listing
| 🚩 Red Flags | ✅ Green Flags |
|---|---|
| No salary info | Clear salary + comp |
| Vague buzzwords | Concrete responsibilities |
| “We’re a family” | Healthy work boundaries |
| “Competitive environment” | Culture of support & growth |
| Unclear mission | Purpose that makes sense |
Too many jobs, too little time
We get it. The job search is overwhelming. But spotting these red and green flags can help you move smarter, not just faster. The right job is out there. Don’t settle for less than transparency, respect, and growth.
Do your research:
- Check the company’s website and social profiles
- Read Glassdoor reviews
- Ask your network — especially folks inside our Rewriting the Code community
Not sure how to reach out to your network? We’ve got an outreach template in the values-based job search guide.
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