Comments on: When the prospective boss is a mystery

By: A. Bucci Houston, TX

A. Bucci Houston, TX — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 02:11:02 +0000

I worked in the engineering field for 14 years. Over the years, I had 7 different supervisors. Of the 7 supervisors, I would consider two of them “terrible.”

When mentoring a young co-worker recently, they asked me whether there was anything that I observed during the interview process that might have let me know that these two supervisors were going to be terrible. I then thought back to the interviews and realized that in both of those situations, I never got a chance to meet the person I was going to report to during the interview process.

There was actually one of the other supervisors that turned out to be very good that I also never met during the interview process, but that situation was different. Distance was the reason I didn’t meet that supervisor and that supervisor made sure that shortly after the initial interview, I had a phone conference with them.

This “Ask Annie” article really validated what my experience has also been. When you interview for a position, at any level, make sure you have an opportunity to meet your future supervisor. If the company is hesitant to do that, then BEWARE!!!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 13:04:39 +0000

Run away as fast as you can. It’s a bad sign in the absence of additional info. This is SOP for many crap DOD contractor jobs and sure enough they keep you in the dark on purpose. I’m in the job where I didn’t meet my prospective boss and I hate it and I’m bidding my time until I get a new job.

By: Judy Car Colorado springs

Judy Car Colorado springs — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 06:06:00 +0000

I feel that dont leave a job until
you have the other job nailed down
and your hired. I was laid off after
25 years, I took a part time job
during the severance time, and had
a potential for full time work. left
the part time for the offer, the
companys plans changed and I then didnt have either job and severance ended, Thanks, its transition time

By: Steve Bangalore India

Steve Bangalore India — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 03:49:32 +0000

All of my jobs since 1983 have been overseas. I have never met the country or project manager in the new country, prior to getting to some out of the way place. The home office recruiters and managers usually have never been to the given country. Let me see 2 drunks, 1 total jerk, 1 coward and 1 fool, not bad out of 8 bosses.

By: Alan Kardoff, Palm Bay FL

Alan Kardoff, Palm Bay FL — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:53:59 +0000

I have learned something different. I have been interviewed for jobs others were “leaving.” In a few cases, despite
co. efforts, I was able to speak to the
departees. In one case I quickly made
my interview a failure. In the other,
I ignored advice and wound up “paying” for doing so a few months later.

By: Miles, San Diego CA

Miles, San Diego CA — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 23:15:09 +0000

I don’t know, I’ve seen this kind of thing numerous times. My former boss was way too busy to interview anyone. He delegated a lot of things, depending on the function. His exec assistant interviewed admins who would be directly reporting to him. He’s a hands-off kind of guy for many departments and has a lot of direct reports. In these cases, the people who report to him tend to deal mostly with other people, but just technically report to him. I don’t think it’s necessarily all bad, though it’s possible. The CFO might just be a really busy, really hands-off kind of guy. I’d insist on meeting him though before accepting a job offer just to be safe.

By: Kathy, Dallas, TX

Kathy, Dallas, TX — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:54:57 +0000

At my current job, my supervisor hadn’t yet been hired, tho I met both supervisors above him. Turned out he was extremely autocratic with no management knowledge or skill. I’m extremely democratic, and to say things have not gone well is a huge understatement. He has manipulated events and people to make them more gossip-worthy.

It took the veiled threat of a lawsuit to management to get things to a civilized level of communications.

And from a previous job experience, if someone ever indicates there’s a personal or political problem with taking a job or position, I’ll pass it by; it’s not worth the aggravation of trying to straighten out a bad situation.

By: Russell, Toronto, Ontario

Russell, Toronto, Ontario — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:54:35 +0000

Well as was implied, you’re working for a person, not a company. Your loyalty should be to that person.

I see another scenario that wasn’t pointed out above. It’s possible the CFO has his eye on a pet candidate that he’s trying to bring in to the company, but needs a fallback body in case it doesn’t work out. So they string you along until the other person makes a decision. Much like the 2nd job you don’t really want as much, you’re stringing them along until the first one pans out.

By: Joe, New York, NY

Joe, New York, NY — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:40:49 +0000

I started at my new company back in October, although I met someone who i thought was going to be my boss, after I met with them and accepted the offer they shifted the structures around and I am not working on the accounts I signed up for, or the boss I signed up for.

Doesn’t really matter though, my new bosses seem great, and they all actually started after I did. When I started there was a whopping whole above me with multiple positions to be filled.

By: Mary, Austin TX

Mary, Austin TX — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:22:06 +0000

I can understand that a CFO is too busy to meet every single applicant, but Ray seems to imply that this company already made him an offer. Run! If you pass interview round 1 with just HR, and made it to round 2 or even 3, and still haven’t seen your direct manager, don’t waster nay more time.

By: Liz Chicago, IL

Liz Chicago, IL — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:06:32 +0000

While I was waiting for my interview, at a previous employer, I watched a man come out and berate the secretary to “GET THEM ON THE PHONE NOW!!!”. My first impression was that he was a big jerk. Turned out to be the guy who would become my boss. I lasted about 8 months before striking out to find something else. I took it because I was going to be let go (merger) and needed the job.

When I search for my next job I will definitely take my time to find the right place. At this one I didn’t meet with anyone in the department except my boss and one other person. Now I know that was not ideal either! No sense of teamwork and I am a team oriented person… another lesson learned.

Trust that gut!