When interviewing for a new job, you may be asked about why you are leaving your current position. If the reason is due to a toxic work environment, it can be tricky to navigate the conversation professionally and tactfully. You want to be honest without disparaging your previous employer.
Here are some tips for how to talk about a toxic work culture during a job interview:
Focus on the positives
Avoid using overtly negative language to describe your current or previous employer. Instead of saying it was a “toxic environment,” focus on the positive aspects you are looking for in your next role. For example, “I’m looking for a company that prioritizes collaboration and values work-life balance.” Framing it this way keeps things constructive.
Speak in generalities
Rather than calling out specific people or incidents, speak in general terms about the culture. You might say something like, “I’m looking for a company with greater transparency between leadership and employees.” This avoids naming names or pointing fingers.
Emphasize what you learned
Try to focus on what you gained from the experience, even if it was unpleasant. For example, “In my previous role, I acquired important skills in conflict resolution and overcoming communication barriers. I’m excited to apply these skills in a new environment.” This shows you can extract value from the negative.
Redirect to the future
If asked directly why you are leaving, redirect the conversation to what you hope to find in your next role. You might say, “I’m looking for a company where I can thrive, develop my skills, and feel energized coming to work each day.” Keep the discussion aimed at what you want moving forward.
Keep body language neutral
Be mindful of your body language, facial expressions and tone when discussing your previous workplace. Try to remain neutral and calm. Displaying anger, resentment or other strong emotions can be a red flag for interviewers.
Ask clarifying questions
If you are asked a pointed question about issues in your former workplace, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification. You might say, “Could you tell me more about what you’re looking to understand?” This allows you to shape your response thoughtfully.
Stick to the facts
While venting about a toxic job may feel cathartic, an interview is not the time or place. Stick to just the facts about what you experienced. Exaggerating or embellishing could undermine your credibility.
Have an explanation ready
Come prepared with a measured, professional response to questions about why you are moving on from your current position. Have 2-3 key points ready to share concisely. Practice the phrasing so it sounds natural, not rehearsed.
Double down on enthusiasm
Counter any perceived negativity by amping up your enthusiasm and passion for the role you’re interviewing for. Smile, make eye contact and focus on your excitement for the future.
Questions interviewers may ask about a toxic work environment
Why are you leaving your current position?
This is often one of the first questions asked in an interview. Keep your response brief and focused on opportunities for growth and improvement rather than toxicity and dysfunction.
Can you tell me about your relationship with your manager?
If there were issues, gloss over them or vaguely acknowledge there were challenges without specifics. Redirect the conversation to what you look for in a good manager.
How would your coworkers describe you?
Share positive traits colleagues have acknowledged, like your work ethic, helpfulness and teamwork abilities. If tensions existed, simply say you did your best to have cordial relationships.
What could your previous employer have done better?
Politely decline to point fingers or criticize. You might say you prefer to focus on the positives or that there were typical opportunities for improvement, as with any job.
Why were you passed over for promotion?
If office politics were a factor, attribute it to “differing leadership perspectives” on readiness. Highlight your capabilities and reiterate your interest in advancement in the right environment.
Have you ever been disciplined at work?
Unless the offense was egregious, disciplinary actions are typically not grounds for termination. Explain the context neutrally, emphasize lessons learned, and reiterate your solid track record.
Does your boss know you’re looking for a new job?
Be honest, but avoid over-explaining a toxic situation. Simply say whether they are aware, and focus the discussion on your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role at hand.
Signs of a toxic work environment
Here are some common indicators of unhealthy, hostile or toxic workplaces to be aware of:
Lack of collaboration
Employees don’t work together or share information. There may be undermining, competitiveness or animosity between teams.
High turnover
People leave frequently or roles stay vacant for long periods. Rapid churn indicates poor culture and morale.
Cronyism and favoritism
Promotions, perks and opportunities are doled out based on nepotism and bias rather than merit. Causes resentment between those favored and others.
Bullying and harassment
Inappropriate, abusive or hostile behavior towards employees. Can include everything from overt discrimination to subtle microaggressions.
Leadership issues
Management is incompetent, uninvolved, unavailable, micromanaging or otherwise ineffective. Lack of quality leadership corrodes culture.
Lack of accountability
Unethical, unprofessional or inappropriate behavior goes unaddressed. Gives impression that anything goes and erodes trust.
No clear ethics policies
Absence of clear guidelines on issues like discrimination, safety, integrity, conduct, etc. Allows bad behavior to happen unchecked.
Poor communication
Closed-door decision making with lack of transparency causes confusion, rumor mills and distrust between leadership and staff.
Overwork and burnout
Workloads, schedules and demands are unsustainable for health and work-life balance. Leads to exhaustion and disengagement.
How to assess culture in an interview
When interviewing for a new position, use the opportunity to uncover whether there are signs of a toxic environment. Here are some tips:
Ask questions
Inquire directly about work-life balance, management styles, teamwork and morale. How do they respond? Do the answers seem consistent and authentic?
Observe dynamics
Watch how interviewers interact with each other and speak about colleagues. Do they seem collaborative and respectful? Or tense and negative?
Look for specifics
Push past generalities. Ask for examples of ways company culture is embodied – policies, programs, traditions etc. Details are telling.
Learn their story
Why did your direct manager take this job? How long have interviewers been with the company? Shorter tenures may signal issues.
Talk to the team
If possible, have casual conversations with potential co-workers to get their vibe on culture. How do they describe day-to-day work life?
Trust your instincts
Reflect honestly on your gut reactions to what you see, hear and experience. If something feels off, probe further or proceed with caution.
Look up reviews
Search sites like Glassdoor for anonymous employee feedback. Patterns of similar comments may indicate underlying issues.
Ask to meet the team
Push for group interviews or lunch with prospective colleagues. Seeing dynamics firsthand is very revealing.
How to handle realizing you accepted a toxic job
If you accept a position but then quickly realize there are major culture issues, here are some options:
Address concerns proactively
Voice constructive feedback to your manager on how culture could improve. Offer to help with solutions.
Ride it out short term
Stick it out for 6-12 months to avoid a red flag on your resume, but keep looking passively.
Transfer internally
Large companies may allow you to move to a different department. Look for openings elsewhere.
Ask for alterations
Inquire about changes that could make the role more tolerable, like flexible scheduling or remote work.
Set boundaries
Limit exposure to toxic co-workers and protect your time and energy as much as possible.
Clarify priorities
Have an open conversation with leadership about culture concerns and needs on both sides.
Confide in trusted allies
Vent privately to sympathetic colleagues to process frustrations and gain perspective.
Ramp up the job search
Immediately begin pursuing new opportunities. Have an explanation ready for the quick exit.
Consult an employment lawyer
If you are experiencing harassment, discrimination or workplace abuse, understand your rights and options.
Conclusion
Navigating how to talk about a toxic work environment in an interview requires thoughtfulness and care. Avoid negativity or blame, focus on learning and growth, and aim to reflect positively on yourself. Do your due diligence reading reviews and assessing culture so you can avoid landing in another unhealthy environment. If you do end up in a bad job fit, give feedback to leadership, set boundaries, or ramp up the job search. With some wisdom and preparation, you can have candid conversations about workplace culture while keeping your own integrity intact.