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The hidden red flags inside job descriptions
And how to turn them into questions that make you stand out
Sophie @ the stack
December 16, 2025
In Partnership With
AI built for parallel coding
🚩 The hidden red flags inside job descriptions
To really stand out in an interview, you should be using the JD to spot early clues about the company culture, and whether the working style fits you.
Then, the trick is: spot potential red flags → turn them into smart interview questions
Let’s take an example.
If the JD mentions ‘fast-paced environment’, this could mean frequent changes or unclear, shifting priorities.
So you should ask questions like:
When priorities change, how is that communicated across the team?
How do you balance speed with maintaining code quality?
Could you tell me more about how the team manages tight deadlines?
👇 More examples of red flags and questions you can ask
Keep scrolling…
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More Red Flag Examples
Look out for these keywords in the JD:
Keyword | What it could mean | Questions to ask |
|---|---|---|
Self-starter | Minimal support, no real onboarding | What kind of onboarding is in place for new starters? |
Flexible | Scope creep, changing priorities | How often do priorities shift, and how is that communicated across teams? |
Wear many hats | Blurred role boundaries, unclear ownership | What does a typical week look like for someone in this role? |
Tools to save you time
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Google AI agent builder embedded inside Google Workspace. Reduces manual work, track job applications in Google Sheets → auto-update status, deadlines, follow-ups.
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