Don't Overlook The Signs That You May Be Getting a Bad Boss

So you finally decided to change jobs and your new job promises to be exactly what you've been looking for. The company is a leader in its industry and was recently voted one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies To Work For. Not only is the new job better aligned with your career goals but it also pays better and provides you with a healthier work-life balance. This job seemed like the perfect fit.

Unfortunately, a few months into it, you are faced with a daunting realization - you have a bad boss. In just a few weeks, you've experienced several instances of your boss taking personal anger out on you for no reason, dismissing your ideas in meetings, and simply being rude and critical of your work while offering no constructive ways to improve it. You wish you had seen it coming. Attempts to address the situation by speaking with human resources have proven ineffective and resulted in an even more stressful situation. Your ideal job is quickly turning into an unbearable one and it is beginning to cause suffering in your personal life.

Most would agree that the very best solution for this is to learn how to detect a bad boss before they become yours. Its like spotting a lemon at the used car dealership. If you can avoid buying it in the first place, you'll be a lot better off than if you bought it and then had to try and get the dealer to address all of the issues. During the interview don't overlook the hints.  Here are a few things to pay attention to:

1. Pronoun Usage – If your interviewer uses the term “you” in communicating negative information but uses “I” when describing department’s success then sound the alarm. It is also a red flag when the interviewer chooses to use the word “we” when referring to an obstacle that the team faced. This boss is probably not going to take responsibility for failures.
2. Distracted – If the interviewer is either late to the interview, reading emails while you are speaking or even accepting phone calls then this boss is not likely to have time for you now or later.
3. Digging – I don’t know where your mind is going on this so let me help you out. If the interviewer is digging into your personal life, asking about your hobbies then there is a good chance that this is an attempt to see how available you are. Now this can be a tricky one. If your impression of the potential boss is a good one then it could be that this person is interested in getting to know you better.
4. Vague Answers –The interview is your best and sometimes only opportunity to learn more about the role, the company’s culture and its values prior to starting the job. It is important that you get a clear understanding of these things in order to make an informed decision. It is indeed a red flag if the interviewer is vague when discussing these items as this could indicate a variety of issues with the organization and its leadership.
5. Track Record – Interview the interviewer. Find out how long the potential boss has worked at the company and what led them there. Try to get a feel for his or her management style to see if it fits you. If possible, reach out to a current or former employee to solicit feedback on the potential boss and the organization.