According to research, around 2 in 5 employees have quit their job because of a ‘bad manager’, and further research shows that 85% of people say that a ‘Good manager’ is important for workplace happiness. If this is the case, how are so many companies still getting it wrong? And how can we help ourselves to find the right manager for us?
I Am Part Of The Statistic
Writing this post actually brings back a lot of emotions for me. I can remember sitting on the train after my interview for a global fashion brand and feeling a buzz running through me, I knew it had gone well and I could visualise myself working there. Within minutes I had a call from HR offering me a second interview, which also went successfully and I was elated when they offered me my ‘dream job’.
During the lead up to my job, I had planned my office outfits, purchased new notepads and pens, even got a haircut and eventually day 1 of my new job arrived. Sadly I went on to have a very difficult 12 months working for a company I loved, enjoying my role but struggling with my manager.
After I had exhausted all options to fix the relationship with my manager, I felt I had no choice and handed in my notice without another job lined up. You can read about my experience in this post, Should I Quit My Job Without Another One Lined Up?
In hindsight, I was blinded by the company and job itself and should have spotted the red flags of my manager during the interview process.
The Problem With The Job Interview Process
It’s impossible to know if you are going to enjoy working somewhere and have a good relationship with a manager when you have only met them for a few hours. You can stalk their Linkedin profile, comb through their Instagram, but it doesn’t tell you anything about how the company operates and how someone manages people.
During an interview, both you and the interviewers will be putting on the best versions of yourself/themselves. That is natural but keep this is mind, because the smiles will be brighter, the laughter will be louder and everyone is glowing with positivity.
How To Get The Most Out Of Your Job Interview
Unfortunately you won’t know what your new work life will be like until you are living the job day to day, but there are ways to help you make the decision before you commit.
Glassdoor is a Company review platform and a good place to start in researching where you will spend 40 hours of your week. But it should be taken with a pinch of salt, there’s potentially a few disgruntled ex-employees writing bad reviews or even employees being asked to leave good reviews.
During an interview, the interviewers should also be trying to impress you. They want you to work there as much as you want to work there. You’re allowed to and should ask the difficult questions:
– What is your management style and experience?
– Why did is the current person leaving? (If you’re replacing someone)
– How long have the other team members worked there?
– What training is provided for managers?
Tell them how YOU like to be managed as well. It’s better that everyone lays all their cards on the table before anyone signs on the dotted line. If you are honest about wanting to be left to your own devices but your future Managers admits to having a much more hands on approach, it’s going to save everyone a lot of time.
Ask for a tour of the office, is there a positive atmosphere? Are people sitting together, enjoying each other’s company? Read the room and see if you can pick up on the office vibe.
Working remotely? Ask to do a Zoom meet and greet with some of your future team members.
This might seem like a lot of extra work in the job hunt but it will pay off in the end. And do you remember how much hassle it is searching, applying and interviewing for jobs? You want to get it right. Though this approach is not completely fool-proof, it should further aid in your decision if the job, company and manager are going to be right for you.
What To Look Out For During An Interview
Knowing the red flags and green flags to look out for during an interview process will help you make the right decision.
– Are they helpful in the lead up to the interview, replying to calls/emails in a timely manner and answering any questions?
– During the interview, what is your gut instinct and how is the chemistry between the two of you? You’re looking for someone who you can respect and get a long with. If it’s easy to build rapport with them in a short space of time, this is a positive sign.
– A manager should be a leader, do they provide you with insight into how you can learn from them and how they can help you succeed in your new role?
– Does your future manager come across confident and provide you with straight answers?
– Are they willing to answering the difficult questions mentioned above? Do their answers fill you with confident and match your expectations?
– Interviews are daunting, does the manager put you at ease throughout the process and want to see you succeed? If someone is purposely trying to catch you out or make you feel uncomfortable, this is a red flag.
Having a manager that will support and guide you, and you can get along with is fundamental to your work-life happiness. We’ve all heard the saying; ‘People leave managers, not jobs.’ and we all know the statistics now, you don’t want to be part of ‘2 in 5 employees’.
Good luck with your job and manager search!
Amber x
Sign up for our newsletter to become a part of the Suddenly Thirty community - stay up to date on new posts and community events!
Pingback: How To Deal With Annoying Co-Workers | 6 Tips