Tales from the Dark Side: Ignoring the Warning Signs

How one job move taught me—and now my clients—why red flags matter.

“If you were let go after a year, how would you react?”— Hiring‑manager question I should have taken more seriously

In 2017 I was restless. My current U.S. pharma role felt stale—low growth, split offices, and a product that inspired no one. Then a nearby Swiss company dangled a shinier title, better pay, and my favorite therapeutic area. I said yes, convinced I could navigate any politics. Below are the five warning signs I ignored, the real‑world fallout, and how I now help clients recognize similar traps.

1️⃣ Same Company, Same Culture—Different Day

I’d worked for this firm years earlier and left because of negativity. I assumed more experience = more resilience. The negativity had simply hardened.

2️⃣ Insider Whisper

A friend cautioned: marketing and medical were at odds, new leadership was untested. I downplayed it as fixable.

3️⃣ Odd Interview Questions & Fuzzy Org Chart

The hiring manager probed how I’d handle being let go in 12 months, yet couldn’t confirm who’d report to whom. My optimism won over my judgment.

4️⃣ “They Really Need Someone Like You”

Outside experts said the role was perfect for me. Translation I missed: few people last long here.

5️⃣ Lukewarm Future Colleagues

Three medical directors were polite but unenthused during interviews. I misread caution as neutrality.

Three Takeaways for High‑Achieving Professionals

Red Flag Check	Action Step
Conversation vs. Confirmation	If a role’s org chart is vague, request the structure in writing.
Scarcity vs. Support	“We really need you” can mean no one stays. Probe turnover data.
Culture Sample	Ask future peers what success looks like and what gets punished—listen for hesitation.

Why This Story Matters in My Therapy Office

Clients hire me because I’ve lived both sides: the corporate climb and the clinical comeback. Today I use evidence‑based tools and hard‑earned insight to help professionals decide whether to stay, pivot, or rebuild boundaries where they are.

Ready to sanity‑check your own warning signs?

➡️ Book a free 15‑minute consult

Jason Olin PhD trained at USC, worked at NIMH, spent 19 years in pharma leadership, and now helps executives, clinicians, and pilots in Newport Beach & statewide telehealth.

Updated June 2025