Toxic workplaces don’t always look toxic at first

Liz Barry
Aug 6
2 min read

Updated: Sep 23

When something seems too good to be true… it usually is.

I was recently shoulder-tapped by a “global” organisation with an enticing opportunity.

They spoke directly to my pain points. Their pitch was compelling—almost too compelling: “World-class reach.” “Complete ownership of your IP.” “A built-in client base.” It was dazzling. Astounding. The money they promised? Eye-watering.

And it felt tailor-made for someone like me.

I entered their process. I passed their first “gate.” I spent hours crafting a proposal for the next stage—only to have the interview at 11:30pm no-showed due to a “computer glitch.” At that moment, something snapped.

If this was the polished, professional organisation they claimed to be—why couldn’t they even show up?

That’s when I remembered the advice I always give my clients:

- Do your due diligence before you accept any role or opportunity.

Too many of my clients have suffered under toxic work environments. Some have taken a full year off to recover—mentally, emotionally, physically. When they feel ready to return to the workforce, they are cautious, understandably. They want to avoid repeating that trauma.

So how do you know if a company is truly a good place to work?

Not from the website. Not from the interview.

You find out by doing informational interviews.

Talking to people on the inside.

So that’s what I did.

I reached out to five people involved with this organisation (I found them on LinkedIn), that had been through their process.

All five said: Don’t.

That the company massively over-promised and under-delivered.

That they were charged thousands, then asked for more.

That feedback was slow (up to 28 days!)

And the experience left them disillusioned, out of pocket, and disappointed.

Honestly—I’d gotten sucked in, at first.

But I dodged a bullet because I followed my own advice.

This is why I bang on about informational interviews in career development.

Because they are one of the most powerful tools you have.

Not just to get a job—but to protect your wellbeing and future.

Curious to hear:

Have you ever narrowly avoided a toxic situation? Or missed the red flags and learned the hard way?

Reach out, I’d love to hear your story.

Warmly,

xo Liz

P.S. If you’re weighing up an opportunity—or wondering what’s next for you—I offer private VIP coaching to help you make smart, soul-aligned career decisions. If you’d like support navigating your next move with clarity and confidence, just hit reply or book a call here if you'd like to chat.

P.P.S. - If you're feeling lost in your career, wondering what’s next, or questioning what truly lights you up, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, and I know how overwhelming it can feel.

That’s why I created Make Your Next Career Move Count—a free ebook to guide you through the exact process I used to find clarity and build a fulfilling career using the most effective path to career change:

✅ Soul Search – Uncover what truly matters to you

✅ Research – Explore possibilities that align with your interests, strengths and values

✅ Job Search – Take confident steps toward work that excites you