In the excitement of landing a job interview and the possibility of a new position, it’s natural to do your best to sell yourself. You prepare and present in such a way that you hope will propel you to the top of the candidate pool. But keep in mind that any company worthy of your talent and time should also be making a measured effort to sell itself to you, too.
If, instead, your prospective boss comes across in any way that hints of arrogance, indifference, or malice, or if you pick up on inklings of disrespect or derision, pay close attention. These may be signs that this person could make your time with the company miserable. At the same time that you’re making your best case to join the organization, you need to be sensitive to any less-than-glowing conduct on the part of your would-be superior.
Spotting bad boss behavior in an interview can keep you from landing an untenable situation. (Or if you decide to take the job anyway, at least you will be prepared.)
Here are some undesirable behaviors to look out for during your interview that could signal a bad boss.
Makes You Wait
In your bid to be a stand-out candidate, you arrive for your interview earlier than the stated time. But if you’re made to sit and wait for more than an hour, consider it a red flag. Granted, legitimate interruptions may arise that can delay your meeting. Instead of leaving you in limbo, however, your interviewer should relay apologies for the holdup and give you an estimated time that he’ll be available. And, if you’re unable to wait out his postponement, he should offer to reschedule your interview.
Take special note: If the interviewer makes a conciliatory offer to pay for your parking or transit fare, you can lower the red flag.
Also: If you do have to wait a long time, your forbearance will actually help improve your odds of snagging the job. It may be worth your while to just wait patiently.
Sticks to Scripted Questions
The most productive interviews are a give-and-take exchange that is more conversational than quizlike. Sticking to canned questions shows little imagination or even enthusiasm for the opportunity to get to know you as a possible addition to the team.
Take special note: If given the chance to ask a question, see if you can find a way to unmask her apathetic façade by inquiring what she most likes about the company. If she gives a lackluster answer, know that this person won’t be able to provide the motivation or inspiration you’ll need from a boss.
Talks More Than Listens
It’s appropriate for any boss conducting an interview to describe the position and the work environment to job candidates. But beware of the boss who engages in a long-winded monologue and only deigns to ask you a few generic questions. It signals a lack of interest in others — and possibly in others’ ideas.
Take special note: If you leave the interview with the impression that you weren’t given a chance to make your case, don’t look back. With such a boss, you will only be given orders and won’t be invited to share input.
Bad-mouths Others
Making demeaning or snide comments about a current or past employee — or even a competitor — denotes mean- spiritedness that could be a bad sign. While this boss may appear gracious toward you during the interview, simply noting his propensity for making malicious remarks means you may want to steer clear of working for him.
Take special note: Do your best to explore context for a contemptuous statement. Could it be there’s still an open wound for having been wronged in some way? If you believe it may have been a one-off comment, that could still warrant further investigation. Try to track down others who can vouch for this employer.
Asks Inappropriate Questions
Interviewers should maintain an air of professionalism and not veer off toward the personal. If any question the prospective boss asks makes you uneasy, note your discomfort as a warning signal. This could be a person who crosses boundaries and could put you in awkward — if not alarming — positions.
Take special note: It’s a good idea to know what questions you aren’t required to answer in interviews and prepare in advance how to adeptly deflect them. For example, questions about your plans to start a family if you’re a woman, or about your plans for retirement if you’re of a mature age are out of bounds.
Smiles Infrequently
Of course not everyone is a smiler. However, if your interviewer looks glum, or worse, bored, through the entirety of your conversation, this could be a person who diminishes any fun or geniality in the workplace. A boss who can display some levity when the situation calls for it shows her more human side and is more relatable. Wearing a grim expression at all times can put everyone on edge.
Take special note: Ask specifically what the company does to build camaraderie within the team to see whether the boss has given this any thought. If the answer is satisfactory, perhaps the somber expression is simply an unfortunate personal trait.
Projects Little Passion
Spotting signs of blandness or apathy in your interviewer could be a signal that this person won’t be an effective leader. If the boss is unable to show excitement about the company or the position, how will she be able to spur not only the team but customers or clients?
Take special note: Ask what direction the boss sees the company heading in the next few years to discern whether she shows excitement for what’s on the horizon or if she’s simply biding time.
Trust your instincts and if you determine your interviewer will be a bad boss, do yourself a favor and bow out of the competition. At the same time, maintain your professionalism. Even if you deem this to be a poor fit, it’s important to always leave a good impression because word gets around in any industry.
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