Interviewees, It's a Two-Way Street!

I have met up with several different friends over the last year, and they explained to me how they started a job and soon after discovered it was a nightmare place to work. And it's kinda their fault.

Every coin has two sides, but in this post, I want to address the side of the interviewee and give some tips on how they can make sure they don't end up in a job they hate.

One one side of the interview coin, we have the problem on how companies conduct and run their hiring. The interview process today is handled like a one-way street, where a single individual interrogates a candidate, checks their references, and then makes an offer. This is often all done in 1-2 interviews and often the interviewer is ONLY one person (the hiring manager).

I can't tell you how this is wrong on so many levels and if you want to learn how to hire great talent I recommend you read this post. But this post is about how the interviewee has power and needs to take responsibility too.

On the other side of the interview coin, there is the interviewee. The interviewee is NOT powerless and needs to accept some responsibility for the terrible interview process that most companies have. And if more people did this, companies would be forced to change their crappy interview ways.

Here are 4 simple things any interviewee can do to help them stand out and find the right job that will turn into a career.

1. Get the right mindset.

Commit that the next move is a career move for yourself. Don't just look for a job, look for a career. Look for a place where you can grow your career. It takes, at least, five years to drive any deep impact at any organization. Look for a long-term opportunity.

2. Get clear on what type of career you want.

If you are looking for a job, first ask yourself these questions:

• What kind of boss am I looking for?
• What kind of co-workers do I want to work with?
• What kind of values do I want a company to exhibit?
• What kind of career growth opportunities do I want to see available?

The clearer you are on what is the perfect work environment for you is, the easier it will be to spot the right job. Don't just think about it, actually write it down. Create your own vivid vision.

3. Write down what questions you'd need to get answered to know that the new opportunity is a match to your career's vivid vision.

Employers will actually appreciate you have questions and that you've put thought into this. And if they don't, that's an immediate sign it's not a great place to work. Remember the interview isn't just an opportunity for the possible employer to slam you with questions and to judge you and your skill sets. It's also an opportunity for you to interview them. Any good relationship always allows it to be a two-way street. Make sure you take your time to get your questions answered.

Here are 10 questions (that asked in this way) that will most likely score you your dream job:

1. Based on the job description, this seems like a job that is perfect for me, but I want to dig in a bit more to make sure I'd be a good fit. I know you can't fit it all in a job description, so what're two things you can tell me about this position that wasn't in the job description? 
2. I am looking to join a team and provide an impact. I'm curious... What is the biggest problem your company is facing right now? 
3. I am looking for a place to work where I can grow roots. Culture and the team are really important to me. What can you tell me about employee turnover? Can You Tell Me About Employee Turnover?
4. What lack of qualifications would make you hesitant to hire me? 
5. The ability to grow is important to me. I'd rather grow internally with a company for a long time. Do you hire internally first before recruiting outside the company? Also, what is the growth potential of my role (both compensation-wise and responsibility-wise)? 
6. Do you have professional development and training opportunities? 
7. How does the company define success? 
8. As we all know, it's whom you work with is what really matters. Can you tell me a bit more about the people I'll be working with each day?
9. What do you see my KPIs being in the first 60-90 days? 
10. What is the next step after this interview? 

4. Due diligence is not just for employers.

You need to get under the hood. You need to inspect to see what you expect. You need to jump on LinkedIn and contact their current employees and ask them questions. If you discover that they have a lot of unhappy employees that is probably a red flag. See how long employees work at the company on average. If it's a short period of time, that is also a red flag.

Even take it a step further, find out who their customers or clients are and call them. Find out, if they are delivering on what they promise. Taking a quick glance at Glassdoor is not enough. Dig deep, put your (PI) private investigator hat and do the due diligence that is required to find the perfect career for yourself. Don't just accept an offer because it was given to you.

Ask some the following questions in your interview, when it's your turn to ask questions:

• Tell me about an employee you are really proud of and why?
• Tell me about a recent employee conflict and how you resolved it?
• Does your team fully disconnect during the holidays and vacations?
• How did you start your last team meeting?
• Tell me about a recent company win?
• Do you focus on personal development and up-skilling your team? Tell me about your initiatives?

Once you get those questions answered you'll have a pretty good idea of the company culture and values.

Ask who'll you'll be working with too. Ask who some of your co-workers will be and who you'll be reporting to and even those that may report to you. Look them up on LinkedIn, even, outreach to them. Often, the difference between an amazing job and an okay job is directly tied to whom you'll be working with every day. We spend more time at our jobs than we do with our friends and family, so pick them well.

If you follow these 4 simple steps and take responsibility for your side of the coin, I think you'll find you will land yourself in a "career" vs a "job" that makes you happy and drives an impact in your life.

I'm curious... what else could someone do to find the perfect career...? Add to the conversation by adding your advice below.

Thanks!