5 Tips to Avoid a Bad Boss

Pharmacy students in the process of interviewing for a job may feel desperate for any position, but they should consider if they would be a good fit with their potential new boss.

This is especially important, given that many people who leave their jobs do so because of clashes with their boss or work culture.

The Harvard Business Review offered the following tips to avoid working for someone like the boss from Office Space.

1. Figure out if your potential new boss will be hands-on or hands-off.

Sara Stibitz from The Harvard Business Review recommended thinking about what kind of relationship would be ideal for you.

If an employee likes to be independent but the employer is hoping to be more of a mentor, this might not work out.

On the flip side, pharmacists who want more detailed direction should stay away from employers who are looking for a low-maintenance worker who does not ask a lot of questions.

2. Trust your gut.

If you leave the interview with a bad feeling, there is probably a good reason for it. Look for signs that may be red flags to you personally.

Stibitz also advised interviewees to consider whether the employer seems like someone they could talk to about a difficult problem.

3. Ask questions.

Ask questions about daily expectations and how many people you will be reporting to in order to find out more about the employer’s managing style.

Inquiring about the workplace’s atmosphere with questions (eg, is this a talkative workplace?) can also help you get to know the employer and his or her preferences.

4. Look for natural dialogue.

Employers’ willingness to have a more natural back-and-forth conversation is a good sign.

If the employer sticks to pre-established interview questions and does not comfortably respond to your questions, it may reflect a personality that does not want to engage with others.

5. Ask to spend more time in the office setting.

If a company hires you, you may want to ask if you can spend a half-day or a few hours around the pharmacy to get a better sense of what your boss and colleagues will be like.

“Chatting about what work is like brings about huge amounts of incidental information,” author John Lees told The Harvard Business Review.