This is a guest post by Vicky Oliver.
If you burned out in a big way at your last job, you’re now determined to not put yourself in a similarly unsustainable situation in your next position. Maybe you found yourself routinely working 60 hours a week. Maybe your marriage and other relationships suffered. Maybe you missed whole years with your children. And your friends – what friends? You threw yourself into the job and almost tossed all your important relationships out the window. However, you learned a valuable lesson: you’re determined not to walk that workaholic path again.
You ask yourself whether there were signs you missed or overlooked back when you interviewed. Did the foosball table and espresso machine in the lounge area sway you into believing the employee perks would be continuous? Did the T-shirt vibe of the dress code mislead you into thinking your boss would be lax? And, after the company gave you an offer, were you taken in by appearances? Were the stylish offices a lure? In the end, the signs you took for a laid-back work environment turned out to be anomalies in the company’s hard-driving culture.
How do you avoid being deceived all over again? What can keep you from landing in another job with unrealistic workload expectations and uncaring leaders? Some clues can be deciphered in the interview process. Others will require you to do some sleuthing of your own.
At a minimum, employ these strategies:
1. Interview with an agenda.
Some answers to your questions about company culture can be sussed out during an interview if you’re given an opportunity to ask questions of your own. For example, if the company lists qualities such as respect, honesty, and inclusion in their value statement, you could ask, “How does the company incorporate its stated values into the day-to-day operations?” Another valid and telling question to ask: “Does the company allow remote or hybrid work options?” Depending on the work involved, many times the company’s refusal to offer flexible work arrangements could signal an uncompromising, top-down management style.
However, if the interviewer closes the conversation without inviting your questions, it may signal that this boss is unaccustomed to accepting employee feedback. Read the warning signs.
2. Investigate whether there’s rampant churning of workers.
The reputational damage organizations do by perpetually burning out their employees will catch up to them. Overworked former employees will complain to friends and family, and possibly to new coworkers, and word tends to get around — often ending up in the media.
There are many companies that treat their employees poorly. A certain Fortune 500 company has a reputation for its lackadaisical management style. Office pets are promoted while worthwhile employees stagnate with little potential for growth.
3. Tap your connections.
Ask your inner circle of contacts whether they know of any present or past employees of any company where you’re exploring a work opportunity. If you can find an insider who would agree to a short conversation — especially if it’s someone from your targeted department or at a similar job level — this person’s direct experience may provide valuable insight on the employer’s expectations and treatment of staff.
Questions to consider asking your inside contact could be along these lines: “Are employees able to manage their workload in a 40-hour work week?” and “What’s the meeting cadence through the work week?” Or even, “Do employees find time to take their paid time off?” and “Does the company provide any opportunities for skills training?”
4. Do an online search of company reviews.
Another way to investigate the inner workings of a company before you accept employment: look up what the company’s past employees post on Glassdoor, CareerBliss, and other online venues. These can be revealing.
Keep in mind, though, that a single good or bad review could be an outlier. Look for multiple instances of either glowing posts or grievances in order to make a more informed decision.
Even though you had to walk away from your former job, draw lessons from the experience to make sure you don’t land another burnout-type situation. Keep in mind that you aren’t just looking for a job — you’re looking for a “work home” where you can thrive in your career without sacrificing your health and happiness. Investigate. Ask around. Test your hunches. For as the adage says, “once burned (out), twice shy.” Don’t be afraid to go for a position with a company that knows how to give as well as take.
About the Guest Post Author:
Vicky Oliver is a leading career development expert and the multi-bestselling author of five books, including 301 Smart Answers to Tough Interview Questions (Sourcebooks 2005), named in the top 10 list of “Best Books for HR Interview Prep,” and Bad Bosses, Crazy Coworkers & Other Office Idiots (Sourcebooks, 2008). She’s a sought-after speaker and seminar presenter and a popular media source, having made over 901 appearances in broadcast, print and online outlets. Vicky Oliver is the Nonfiction Editor at LIT Magazine, the Journal of the New School Masters in Fine Arts Creative Writing, and teaches essay writing at the New York Writers Workshop. For more information, visit vickyoliver.com.