Job interviews give you the chance to learn about a potential employer just as much as it is a chance for the employer to learn about you. If you’re sitting with the guy who could end up being your boss, it’s important to ask the right questions to see if he or she will be a good manager.
Photo by Adam Gregor.
Over at CNN Money, Anne Fisher points out that there are some non-verbals and other cues you should keep an eye out for that will tell you whether this person is someone you can learn from or could be difficult to work with. For example:
“At an appropriate point in the conversation, ask your potential boss to tell you about his background,” she says. “Listen for experiences that match yours. For instance, did the person come up through the ranks in a hands-on role similar to yours? How long has it been since she worked as an individual contributor?”
Of course, everyone’s career is a little bit different but, as you’ve noticed, it can be hard to communicate with someone who has never stood in your shoes, or who did your current work so long ago that the issues and challenges involved have been lost in the past.
Fisher suggests asking yourself whether or not this is a person you can get along with or learn valuable skills from. She also suggests asking what a successful candidate would bring to the job, keeping an eye out for trigger phrases such as “thick skinned” and “able to push back”, which might imply the manager can be difficult or challenging.
Hit the link below for more good questions to ask and a great explanation on why you have to be just as selective when it comes to choosing your next employer.
5 Questions to Ask Your Next Boss [CNN Money]
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