You’ve heard the phrase before, people leave bosses, not companies.
It’s no secret that employees in any profession leave their jobs when they are unhappy with their bosses and / or leadership. So much so – that according to Forbes – it’s the number one reason why employees quit.
If you’re an accounting, finance or IT professional looking for a career change, we want to give you some guidance on what to look for in your new boss before you accept your next job offer. You’ll want a solid understanding of the person you’ll be reporting to, the company culture and values, and the overall feel of the company – not to mention all of the job-specific details!
CIO.com recently published an article on signs for spotting a bad boss. Take a look below as we discuss their pointers and a few of our own.
Do advanced research
Most professionals know that you should visit a company’s website to learn more about its history, people and services before interviewing for a role. It’s also important to take that research one step further by going to review sites like Glassdoor, Indeed and Better Business Bureau. These feedback sites offer specific comments from previous employees and customers — often times about management. Take notice of dates to see how recently the comments have been made. Sometimes management can change over time. Therefore, recent feedback is most likely to be more accurate. Also, search the company on the popular social media networks to see what is being said about them. Furthermore, you can use LinkedIn to see who in your network is connected to people at the company you are interviewing with and reach out to them. Through your contacts, you may be able to gain access to individuals that can give you unfiltered feedback and views on your potential manager. All of this can help you gauge what to expect from your potential future boss and company in today’s market.
Ask about professional development
Good bosses and leadership should care about your personal and professional development. This shows that they are thinking about their staff and company as a whole, and not just what’s in it for them. By asking questions during the interview process that will give you an idea of how they will or will not contribute to your development (whether they provide coaching, mentoring or continuing education, etc.) will let you know if it’s a work environment that is conducive to your overall career. Showing your potential employer that you are thinking about goals and development can show them that you’re a motivated and dedicated individual — unless they are a bad boss.
Observe current culture
Witnessing firsthand how the employees interact with each other is the best way to see if there’s a potential for a bad boss in the mix. Try arriving to your interview a little early, and sit in the waiting room to study how current employees speak and relate to one another within the office. Do they talk with respect? Are they abrasive? Do they smile and laugh? Usually good bosses don’t allow for disrespectful or bad-mannered employees. So, this can be a good indicator of what’s to come.
What are some other warning signs of a bad boss? Comment below and let us know!