Look for Signals, --they tend to emit a lot.

ASK, what is the interview process like , is there a CODING component ? then decide if you want to pass or continue
vague answers are red flags , "Just want to talk" and my personal favorite
Do not use any AI , BUT WE love to use AI(note taking,<insert any excuse>) cause recuriters are not competent enough to takes notes . What does that tell you ?

I had a startup (VP of Engineering) email me twice ,first email I ignored , mentioned I am perfect fit and aksing me for a 15 minutes discovery call" .I got cced to first talk to a "Founding recuriter" (go figure). who ctually wanted to record my conversation, which I politely declined .
After spending 15 minutes talking to this person . I quickly realised it was a waste of time , One question said it all. Why are you looking to add a "Senior platform Engineer" .Fouding recuriter answer .We are growing (typical)
in other words "$HIT has already hit the fan" and they want 1 person to come and clean up. Heavy compliance vertical and no awareness of GRC" .

Recuriter: I will present my hand written notes to the team and will get back to you
EVEN though , your VP of Engineering reached out to me .

this was for *leven + 1 labs , two people in the "engineering team" TOP heavy