1. Interview Experiences

Yes, even in 2025, with all the AI, I am still talking about vibes and gut feelings.

The way interviewers engage with you says a lot about the team.

• Are they excited about the work?
• Do they listen or just wait to speak?
• Are their answers clear, or full of buzzwords and ambiguity?

My go-to questions:

• What would success look like for me in the first 30-60-90 days?
• Is this a new role? If yes, what triggered the need?
• If not, what happened to the last person?

The way they answer will tell you more than any job description ever will.

2. Online Reviews

Sites like Glassdoor, AmbitionBox, TeamBlind, Fishbowl, they're helpful...

But let’s be real:

• People mostly post when they’re angry
• Some reviews are too good to be true (Paid PR)

So I don’t obsess over one or two reviews, I look for patterns.

If multiple people say "toxic leadership," it’s probably not a coincidence.

3. People Intel > Portal Intel

I try reaching out to people at different stages in the company: