Job interviews: Stay positive when talking about former bosses
Q: I’ve been thinking about the bosses I’ve had from my past jobs — the jobs I loved and the ones I had quit. I think I’ve discovered the types of bosses and company environments where employees are treated well and will be happy in their jobs.
The best bosses I’ve had are entrepreneurial types who own small companies and are involved with the employees and do the work.
Small business owners who are removed from the office and the actual work and who delegate their power to their secretaries or assistants are the worst to deal with, in my opinion. These bosses avoid managing and don’t want personal interactions with employees so they can be the “good guy” when they make decisions employees won’t like.
They can play the blame game: The boss blames the assistant, and the assistant blames the boss but will never stand up for the employees.
I’m making a list of questions to ask about the company culture and environment when I interview for new jobs, including if the boss works at the office most days and interacts with the employees.
A: It sounds like you have a plan to protect yourself from a company with an objectionable environment and a controlling employee who hovers over you. You won’t be able to protect yourself from everything you dislike, but everyone should have a list in mind of reasonable questions to ask the interviewer.
Research the company so you do not ask questions you could have learned the answers to online through the company website and news articles.
Also, listen carefully to the information given when the interviewer introduces the company to you. Be sure not to ask questions with a negative tone in your voice. Word your questions as though you are gathering information about the job, whether the procedures are established and if the boss is open to suggestions for streamlining procedures or potential changes. That will let you know if the boss is rigid and controlling.
You will presumably be hired for your experience and ability. Nothing is more disturbing than to be hired for your competency and be treated as a novice, which may be what you have experienced in a past job. Be sure not to expose your negative experiences at other companies, specifically regarding bosses who delegate authority over employees to other employees.
It may help to tell stories of your bad experiences at work to your friends, just as a way of releasing those thoughts and your anger about it. Be positive in your responses.
An interview question could be, “What did you least like about your past job?” The interviewer may want to see if you have the sense not to speak of anything negative. It will hurt you to bring your past disappointments with you to a new job, so say, “I loved my job. I am looking for a company to grow with.” Everyone has worked with bad bosses at one time or another, so smile and be positive. Experience is often necessary, but people hire people they like.