I’ve worked for some pretty bad bosses during my career. Some were
managers who became my boss after I was already working in the job, but
others were toxic bosses that I should have spotted before I even
accepted the job offer.
Here are 10 ways to spot a bad boss – before you take the job:
1. They’re late for the job interview. I once sat outside a
hiring manager’s office, waiting for my job interview. I waited. And
waited. And waited. 45 minutes after the interview should have started,
the hiring manager walked past and then stared at me. “Who are you?” he
demanded. I told him I was his 10am interview candidate. He rolled his
eyes. “Oh great. Another interview. Like I don’t already have enough to
do,” he grumbled. “Fine. You might as well come into my office so I can
get this over.” This hiring manager had not only forgotten about my
interview, he also hated his job. A dangerous combination to avoid.
2. Their office is unusually disorganized. Earlier in my
career, I accepted a job working for a manager whose office was a mess.
Well, that’s an understatement. Her office looked like a tornado had
swept through it. I should have spotted the telltale signs during my job
interview: She didn’t have a copy of my resume or even the job posting,
there were sticky notes all over her computer screen and desk, stacks
of paperwork were all over her office, even her clothing and hair were
messy. Unfortunately, her disorganization spilled over into how she
managed people and managed her department.
3. They ask illegal questions during your interview. Does
the hiring manager ask questions about how many children you have or if
you plan on having any? Do he/she ask about your religion or your age?
Hiring managers should always avoid asking any questions based on race,
religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual
orientation, gender expression or identity, veteran or military status,
and physical, mental, or sensory disabilities. That’s because these are
all “protected classes” under most state law. If you’re asked any of
these types of questions, it means the hiring manager either isn’t
trained and experienced or may be unethical.
4. Other employees avoid the hiring manager. As you walk
down the hallway to the hiring manager’s office or conference room for
your interview, be aware of how other employees react to the manager.
Are they friendly and positive toward him/her? Or, do they quickly turn
around and walk away or dive behind cubicles to avoid being seen? Look
for signs that other employees are afraid of the hiring manager or
trying to avoid the person.
5. They don’t focus on the job interview. The goal of a
hiring manager should be to hire the best possible candidate for the
job. That means being 100% focused on the candidate and interview. Look
for red flags, such as: checking email, answering telephone calls,
texting, and speaking with other employees during your interview. Avoid
accepting a job for a boss who doesn’t give you his or her full
attention during your job interview.
6. They don’t ask difficult questions. To find the best
candidate takes a lot of digging and questioning. So be wary of the
hiring manager if he/she isn’t asking you tough questions about your
knowledge, skills, and experience. They should be trying to find out as
much as possible about your background as well as testing your skills
with “Tell me about a time when…” questions. If they aren’t doing this,
be suspicious.
7. They keep changing the topic of conversation to talk about themselves. I
once interviewed with a manager who kept interrupting me, so he could
tell me stories about himself. There is almost nothing worse than
working for a narcissistic boss. These are managers who have an
excessive sense of self-importance and are extremely preoccupied with
talking about themselves. These are also the bosses most likely to steal
your ideas, take credit for your work, and who often have deep-rooted
insecurities. Run quickly in the opposite direction.
8. They display anger management issues. Don’t put yourself
in the position of working for a verbally (or physically) abusive boss.
Signs to watch for are: yelling at his/her assistant or other employees,
slamming doors, throwing things, saying negative things about others,
going from calm to angry in a split second, tension you can visibly see
(clenched fists, furrowed eyebrows, sweaty forehead, fast breathing),
and over-reacting to things you say during the interview.
9. They can’t clearly communicate what it will take for you to be successful in the position. The
hiring manager should know what it takes to be successful in every job
within their department. This includes the knowledge, skills,
background, education, and attitude necessary. If they don’t know this,
why are they the department manager?
10. They don’t have a clear vision with goals and objectives for their department. Same
here. If the hiring manager can’t clearly articulate the vision, goals,
and objectives for their department, then they shouldn’t be in that
role. Trust me, this isn’t the kind of manager you want as your leader.
