| Bad Potential Boss: Here are some signs that may | | | | the prospective boss, or individuals who would |
| keep you from making a mistake and "hiring" the | | | | work for you. Their answers or lack of answers |
| wrong boss. | | | | can be telling regarding the atmosphere within the |
| You've been looking for a job for awhile. You've | | | | organization and the type of boss you would |
| had several interviews. Although you had a feeling | | | | have. |
| of uneasiness in the pit of your stomach you | | | | HIRING INTERVIEW NOT FOCUSED: The |
| accepted a job offer. Now after a few weeks | | | | prospective boss asks simple questions that can |
| you realize you made a big mistake. Do you quit | | | | be answered with one or two words. You are not |
| and have to explain a job on your resume that | | | | asked, or only briefly asked, about your relevant |
| only lasted a few weeks? Or do you gut it out | | | | skills or achievements. You job duties, in response |
| and last a few months and hope against hope | | | | to your questions, are ill defined or will be |
| that it will get better? | | | | determined later. The key objectives of the |
| Before we answer these questions we should | | | | position are fuzzy and the boss appears aloof |
| answer the question-what caused the uneasiness | | | | from the whole hiring process. |
| in the first place? Get this question answered and | | | | JOB PRESSURE: How does your prospective boss |
| the likelihood of getting ensnared in a similar future | | | | treat those around him? How are you introduced |
| job situation will be greatly reduced. | | | | to possible co-workers or other managers? How |
| What were the signs that you missed that the | | | | was the interaction between your prospective |
| hiring manager would be a bad boss? Many times | | | | boss and other employees? Did you observe |
| in the rush to get a job, any job, warning signs | | | | phone conversations or the passing of instructions |
| are disregarded about their new boss or facts | | | | to other employees? All these contacts will give |
| about the company are glossed over or simply | | | | you insight into the atmosphere within the |
| ignored. Reading and recognizing the type of | | | | company and how you new boss operates and |
| person you will be working for, and the working | | | | treats others. |
| atmosphere within the organization, are important | | | | Think back over your work history. What are |
| factors you should be considering before you | | | | ideal traits you would want from your next boss? |
| decide whether to accept the job offer. | | | | What behavior have your learned or observed |
| So do your research, and be sensitive of any | | | | that you do not like, and do not work well under |
| hints during your contacts with the company, and | | | | this type of supervision? During the interviewing |
| the interview process that your boss will turn into | | | | process, frame questions to learn more about the |
| something unacceptable. Here are some general | | | | boss's management style and leadership practices. |
| signs to be aware of: | | | | Use these same questions when speaking with |
| NOT PREPARED: The interview is postponed once | | | | present or former staff of the employer. |
| or more. Your new boss can't find your resume | | | | Stomach is still uneasy? Go over your concerns |
| or hasn't carefully read it and is late for the | | | | with friends and family so you can separate your |
| scheduled interview. During the interview he is | | | | concerns from more routine new job anxiety. Be |
| interrupted to take calls, check his email or he | | | | careful not to let job hunt desperation cloud your |
| cuts the interview short to go to a meeting. | | | | judgment. By being a bit more focused you can |
| Overall, you and his goal to fill the position is not a | | | | save yourself, potentially, a lot of woe and |
| high priority. | | | | anguish. |
| WEAK PERSONAL HABITS: A limp handshake, | | | | Now what do you do with the bad situation you |
| little or no eye contact and short answers to you | | | | are in now? If the organization is otherwise |
| questions are all signs of a less than dynamic | | | | positive can you transfer out from under the |
| leader. If they stay seated behind their large desk | | | | unacceptable boss? If this is not possible, and you |
| with their arms folded across their chest and you | | | | need the job because of the income, start up the |
| are sitting on a lower chair, you can probably | | | | job hunting process. Work at finding a new job |
| conclude this is someone that had a negative | | | | for as many hours you can budget each week. |
| view of teamwork. | | | | Be careful not to do any of the job hunting |
| If the hiring manager spends an inordinate amount | | | | activity while on the job. For example, if you have |
| of time talking about himself, giving little or no | | | | to make phone calls, use your cell phone outside |
| credit to others is another warning sign. | | | | the building during your lunch period. |
| NEGATIVE INFORMATION: In your research | | | | You found a job once; you are now armed with |
| concerning your prospective boss you hear OK | | | | additional focus and information so the next job |
| answers to your inquiries and a number of | | | | will more likely be with a great employer and a |
| cautious responses. If possible see if you can | | | | supportive boss. |
| have short conversations with others reporting to | | | | |