It can be a funny experience going for an interview, trying to wow your prospective manager, and then once you begin the job, realize you shouldn’t be working for him/her.
Instead of only thinking of getting the job, think of how you’ll be able to work with this person. Are they good managers, or will you rue the day you joined the team?
Liz Strauss has put together 10 traits to look out for before agreeing to the job.
- 1. They already know who they are.
- 2. They listen actively.
- 3. They are “the guide on the side, not the sage on the stage”.
- 4. They don’t add too much value.
- 5. They respect the intuitive detail of those who do the work.
- 6. They stand outside the process as much as they can. Great managers know that if they participate in the thinking, then there is no one outside of it to serve as a check. They have learned to hold the bigger picture to balance the folks who have the intuitive detail.
- 7. They offer new perspectives and paradigms.
- 8. They hold folks accountable with both head and heart.
- 9. They understand the business they are in.
- 10. Great managers understand that all people including themselves can only do what is humanly possible.
What would you add? Possibly something to do with the actual interviewing process. Such as, are they putting you through too much? Anything unnecessary during the interview? That’s usually a sign of things to come.
10 Great Traits to Look for in Managers and Clients – [SuccessfulBlog]
There is always a fine line between getting along, being friends, being a leader, and being a productive manager and then being a pushover, close minded and egotistical.
I always suggest one to look around the office and see how the other employees look. Are they smiling? Do they seem productive, focused, or bored.
Your number 8, understanding the business always helps but this can be overcome with a good manager.
Make sure your future manager isn’t going to jump ship.
I got hired on with an understanding of training and assistance to get acclimated – instead the new boss was focused on getting his new position in order, taking the rest of his vacation, and interviewing with new companies.
One of the items missed or only hinted at is the focus of the manager during the interview. I recently interviewed with a company where the work was described as showing the existing staff “the right way” to do their jobs. The manager also focused heavily on the office politics effect of the work. When I looked over the plans this person already had, my job appeared to become less design and more implementation of the person’s design. This, to me at least, violates #4, 6 and 9. If you are hiring to politically make your manager’s case and are out to shove the manager’s “better way” into the company, you are in for, at best, a rough ride or, at worst, a black mark on your resume that needs a creative explanation. P.S. There is also the danger that a mostly political boss will be hiring you as a future scape goat.