It’s no secret that “People don’t leave jobs they leave managers” according to Gallup’s Chief Scientist of Workplace Management and Well-Being. At least 75% of the reason people quit is influenced by their manager. A boss who you respect as well as one who respects you will help create a happy environment where you will thrive. If you are going to have a positive working relationship with your manager is a big consideration when deciding whether to accept a job offer.
The ideal is a boss who motivates you and gives you consistent feedback, allowing you to improve. If you need help assessing whether the person interviewing you is a boss you WANT to work for – here’s what to check
One of the most important things to check are their references. This is easily done through reaching out to the previous employees from the organisation on sites such as LinkedIn. This way, you are able to find out about their experience working for that individual as well as the company as a whole. This is a better idea than reaching out to current employees – rather reach out to those who no longer have strings attached. You can also look on company review sites such as Glass Door, to get a feel for the company. Similarly, you can do a social media search through taking a look at the company Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to see whether they post regular and engaging content. This will give you a feel for the company environment and allow you to judge whether you can see yourself working there.
Moreover, remember that interviewing is a two-way street, so a useful approach is to ask your own interview questions. Ask about management and working styles, so you can find out if the company shares the same values as you. If you find that their working style differs to yours, have a conversation with your potential boss exploring new ways to work that suit both of you. Their response will give you a good indication of whether this would be the right boss and company for you. If you connect early this will also allow you to eliminate any unnecessary stress.
