Having a great working relationship with your boss can mean you learn more, are challenged more, and leave each day with a sense of wellbeing and achievement. Unfortunately, not everyone is born to be a great leader – but it is possible to spot, and avoid, a potential ‘bad boss’ before they become your boss.
An interview is the perfect time to assess whether a prospective employer’s management style will suit you. Here’s what to look out for.
- They’re late or distracted. Even the busiest boss should aim to create a good impression during an interview, and make the most of their time with you to ensure you’re the right fit for the job. If your interviewer spends the duration of the interview checking their phone or taking calls, they may not have the time to give you adequate training or assistance if you do take the role.
It’s important when accepting a new role to have confidence in your boss. Asking a potential new employer about opportunities for development and coaching can reveal whether they’re going to meet your expectations.
- They’re vague on details. A good leader should be able to talk confidently about the role and company. If you find yourself in an interview with someone who’s particularly vague on details, or can’t answer your questions about the role, they may not be able to provide the support you need to succeed.
Come armed with one to two questions about the role, such as “what do you want the role to deliver on in the first three months?”, to prompt your potential new boss to get specific about what will be expected of you.
- They’re overly negative. There’s a difference between being honest about the challenges of a role, and being negative in general. A prospective employer with a bad attitude can be difficult to work with – not just because constant negativity is demotivating and exhausting, but because no matter what you do, they may never give credit where credit is due. If they make disparaging remarks about the company or take shots at current or past employees, head for the hills. This unprofessional behaviour is likely to continue within their team environment.
- They lack vision regarding company goals. If it’s important to you to work with a leader who rallies the team to achieve a shared objective, beware prospective bosses who can’t articulate the key goals you’ll be contributing to long-term. Asking what goals you’d be working towards as an individual and as a team will help surface whether your new boss has a clear vision on the company’s core targets.
Come armed with one to two questions about the role, such as “what do you want the role to deliver on in the first three months?”, to prompt your potential new boss to get specific about what will be expected of you.
