Hey everyone!! It’s been a while, but guess what? I’m back with a blog that’s going to change the game! 🚨 I almost ended up with a cardiac arrest from two toxic jobs (yikes, right?). Well, this blog is packed with all the details on how to spot company red flags and the sneaky interview questions that can save your sanity and health. Let’s get started and keep those heart rates in check! ❤️✨
Before I broke free:
I was the CEO of an NGO where I did everything from A to Z such as managing the team, leading interns, and running courses myself. I also organized, planned, and led one of Lebanon's biggest Major Guidance events, covering 27 university majors and having international students attending.
Alongside this, I was deep into a 9-5 UI/UX consultant internship, really living that boss girl life. I put my all into every task, but eventually, I woke up to find myself in toxic environments and positions that weren't really contributing to my growth but were merely damaging my health and peace.
In the following sections, I'll share all the details on how to spot those red flags. Let's get started.
Red Flags During the Interview:
First off, the interviewers were late to our meeting, which immediately gave off a vibe of disrespect for my time. Then when we finally sat down, it became apparent they hadn’t even looked at my Resume until I was right in front of them. Moreover, their tone took a surprising turn when they skeptically questioned how a woman my age could have such extensive experience, in a way that felt clearly discriminatory. Alarmingly, there were also no technical questions asked, odd for a position that was supposed to be tech-focused. The biggest shock came when they described the job as a consultant role initially when I applied, only to reveal later in the conversation that it would start as an unpaid internship for the first few months. Back then, I was so excited that I didn’t even think twice before jumping in. I thought maybe that was the norm, but reflecting back later, I now know that those were red flags I should have watched out for.
Red Flags During the Position:
While there were many red flags, the ones that really stuck with me highlighted a severe lack of boundaries and organization. I found myself receiving texts at odd hours like 2 AM ,
3 AM and then being expected to attend meetings with just a few hours notice following those early morning messages. This disregard for personal time was just the start. Deadlines were incredibly tight, leading to constant chaos. There was no clear structure either , no seniors or tech experts to guide or manage things. I mostly dealt with people who didn’t have a technical background, which made communication and project execution really challenging. Altogether, it was a very disorganized and stressful place to work.
I remember having to down five or six cups of coffee each day just to stay awake and manage to get my work done.What really kept me there for almost two months was my constant determination to improve and grow. But eventually, I woke up from that delusion. Yes, I was getting better and gaining experience beyond the job itself, but at what cost? It was coming at the expense of my health.
Red Flags During the Accident:
Suddenly, out of nowhere, my heart started racing uncontrollably. I could feel every rapid beat. My mom rushed me to the ER, where they took over immediately. My heart rate had skyrocketed to 233! I was shocked and incredibly grateful to have made it out alive. After running numerous tests, which all came back normal, the doctors concluded that it was stress that triggered the episode, ruling out other potential causes.
Just 10 minutes after the incident, while I was still in the ER room, they started calling me and demanding a meeting; they even began messaging me. Who does that? I had enough at that point! Despite having already informed them of my situation, they kept insisting. Without a second thought, I emailed them and resigned from my position while still in the hospital.
That was another glaring red flag: utter unprofessionalism. Their actions demonstrated a severe lack of empathy and disregard for employee welfare. Pressuring someone for a meeting while they're in a medical emergency shows a troubling prioritization of work over human well-being. This behavior not only crosses ethical boundaries but also highlights a toxic work culture that fails to respect personal and critical situations.
After I broke free:
Reflecting back now, two weeks post-accident, I've realized a lot. I don't regret that traumatizing, life-changing event, and I'm definitely taking precautions now to keep my heart rate in check. Below are key takeaways from my experience, which I hope will help others and raise awareness. I've also included some general tips and advice that I would recommend, whether it's in a tech-related job or just any other field.
Key Takeaways:
Prioritize Health: Always put your health first, recognizing when your body signals that it's time to slow down.
Recognize Red Flags: Learn to spot early signs of a toxic work environment.
Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries to protect your personal time and mental health, especially in roles that demand high availability.
Seek Support: Don't hesitate to seek support from family, friends, or professionals when you feel overwhelmed.
Listen to Your Body: Pay close attention to what your body tells you; stress can manifest physically in severe ways, as seen in my case.
Act Decisively: When faced with a critical decision, such as staying in a harmful situation or leaving for your well-being, choose assertively.
Awareness and Education: Stay informed about workplace rights and mental health resources to better navigate challenges.
General Tips and Advice:
Communicate Clearly: Always communicate your needs and limitations to your employer clearly.
Know Your Rights: Understand your rights as an employee to ensure you are not exploited.
Find a Supportive Environment: Aim to work in environments that value and support their employees' health and personal growth.
Continuous Learning: Keep learning about ways to manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Seek Professional Advice: If you find yourself repeatedly in stressful work situations, consider seeking advice from career counselors or HR professionals.
Beware of Long Interviews and Heavy Tasks During the Hiring Process: Lengthy interview processes or excessive tasks during interviews can be red flags indicating a potentially demanding work culture.
Listen to Company Phrases: Phrases like "We're a family" can sometimes signify blurred boundaries and unrealistic expectations. Approach these environments with caution.
Be Wary of Startups in Early Career: While startups can offer valuable experiences, they can also be chaotic and lack the structured support that young professionals need. Prioritize stability and a supportive environment, especially in the early stages of your career.
And with that, we reach the end of the blog. I hope you had a good read and learned a lot. Stay tuned as we'll cover more tech-related topics in future blogs.
Incase of any questions or suggestions, feel free to reach out to me via LinkedIn. I'm always open to fruitful discussions.🍏🦜
So inspiring and beneficial 🫶🏻😇