Kevin A. Mitchell | President, TypTap Insurance
You’ve landed an interview for your dream job. This company has it all – an innovative approach, smart people, and great pay – there’s no doubt it’s the company for you. The only remaining question is: what about the boss?
A supervising professional figure plays an integral role in an employee’s life, making the “hire your boss” mentality a must-have. The company and position may have you ready to accept an offer but be careful not to put pen to paper until you’ve properly identified the importance of your supervisor. A boss’ impact on a career may far outweigh a company’s. By identifying someone who is invested in your success and is willing to teach you the nuances of the business, you set yourself up for longer-term career development. A supervisor serves as a leader and model of organizational standards, both of which are crucial to personal improvement. Management style and expectations are windows to determine the overall culture of a company and how you may fit in.
Knowing the influence of your boss is only the first step. The real work happens when you step foot into your interview. How do you attempt to hire your boss and still get the job?
Interviews must be a two-way street, which means you’re assessing the company as closely as they are assessing you. Be candid in both your questions and responses by setting honest expectations from the start. Your authenticity demonstrates your confidence in your own qualifications, while also revealing the sincerity of the company. You need to know details about the practices of the organization and its people, so ask questions like:
· Tell me about your training and mentoring programs.
· Can I speak with someone who was recently promoted?
· How do you ensure I’m successful in my next job?
· What type of turnover does the team have?
· Why do people stay at your company?
Answers to these types of questions provide insight into the inner workings of the company and your boss’s ability to be the type of leader you need.
You’ve done the work, asked the right questions, and now there’s an offer letter in your inbox. So, how do you tell if this is the right boss for you?
Trust your intuition. You know yourself and your goals better than anyone, meaning your needs are the deciding factor. Compensation, benefits, and team members are important, but your potential manager’s alignment with your needs is essential to this decision – are they a servant leader? Will they provide the feedback and growth you need? Are they capable of trusting you and providing opportunity? If you can imagine your future here, with this manager, at this company, then you’re in the right place. Go ahead and tell your new boss they’re hired.