Job interviews are not just about selling yourself. It’s also a chance to evaluate who could become your boss and identify if they might be a terrible one. According to a survey, nearly half of employees have considered leaving their job due to a difficult boss. Given this, it’s crucial to know what to look for and what to ask during the interview. Here are some common warning signs to help you spot a potential bad boss.
Only Speaks Negatively
A good boss handles interactions with employees calmly and makes thoughtful decisions. They do not display a blatantly negative attitude. If the interviewer criticizes rival companies, other applicants, their own superiors, or the workplace, it’s a red flag.
Comes Off as Self-Centered
The main purpose of interviews is to assess whether or not the candidate is a good fit for the role and team. If the potential boss asks superficial questions and constantly brags about themselves, it’s a warning sign. This ego could easily become a problem if you join the team.
Duties and Responsibilities Do Not Match Job Description
It’s understandable if the hiring manager isn’t fully aware of every job detail during the first interview. However, if the potential boss is unclear or contradictory about the job description, you may want to think twice about working there. This could indicate a disorganized personality or a lack of understanding of the role’s purpose, particularly if the higher-ups poorly communicated the role.
Frequently Late
Being late doesn’t call for grounds of being a terrible boss. Everyone runs late occasionally for various reasons. However, if they are constantly apologizing for being late or being consistently late, this may be a solid indication that they lack professionalism and respect for your time.
Questions to Ask Your Potential Bosses
Be sure to ask appropriate questions to avoid seeming uninterested in the job.
Some questions you can ask are:
- What does a typical day in this job look like?
- What kind of training will I receive if hired?
- What are the performance standards for this role?
These questions help determine if the interviewer fully understands the job responsibilities and if their expectations are reasonable.
To assess the potential boss’s interpersonal skills, ask:
- How do you manage your subordinates?
- Do you conduct one-on-one meetings with your direct reports?
- Can you tell me a bit about the team?
These questions reveal the potential boss’s interpersonal skills. If they talk more about making their life easier rather than common company goals, it suggests unclear priorities or self-centeredness.
Questions about team dynamics might include:
- How does the team recognize and celebrate achievements?
- What do you think is the best thing about working at this company?
These questions are likely to help you understand if the team is cohesive and if the leader acknowledges and rewards success appropriately. They also reveal the interviewer’s genuine feelings about the company.
It can be quite difficult for most people to fake enthusiasm, so pay attention to these signs and questions during your interview.
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