Question for those who conduct interviews- update*

jenna8984 · January 2015

I know some of you said on climbingwife's post that you have conducted many interviews so I'd love your opinion. I had 2 phone screens with a company last week (one with HR and one with the dept manager/ direct boss). They have asked me in for a 2 hour interview this week and my recruiter tells me that it's only myself and one other candidate being brought in. Now, not to sound cocky but I'm really good at interviewing. I have been told by several of my bosses that the skill level was the same and my personality was the deciding factor.

So my question really is- I have it really good at my current company. I can email/ text/ knot as long as my work is done- no one micromanages me. I can take sick days here and there and there's no tracking. I can take a long lunch or leave early for appointments and no one cares. I can bring my laptop home and work from home in snow or if I'm not feeling well. I just got a raise so I feel appreciated and secure in my position. How I could possibly find out about any of those things at the new job? I would never ask during an interview because it would make me look bad asking about having freedom...but I also don't want to give up what I have here if it's going to be completely different and restrictive.....any advice? Ways to word it? Ask HR after a (potential) offer has been made? No way to find out/ have to take the risk?

flutteringinfl · January 2015

I conduct interviews fairly regularly. I really don't know how you'd ask this without it coming across as you trying to secure permission to slack off, you know?

I'll think about it. The best I can think of right now is, "What's the work load like?"

theartistformerlyknownas · January 2015

You can ask them to describe what the office environment/culture is like - is it open/collaborative or do people tend to work more heads-down? Are there team-building events? Do people eat lunch and socialize together or solo at their desks? What's the company's flex-time policy? Generally if an environment is laid-back and friendly, they'll try really hard to convey that to you in an interview, and will be accustomed to describing the culture. It's also a legitimate thing for a candidate to consider so that they find a good cultural fit. And the more laid back a company is, the more likely it is that they won't care about Knotting. ;-) But if it's more strict, you'll probably hear "uhhhmmm... well we have cubicles."

When people have asked me in the past, the answer was "well we have an open work environment so it can be a little noisy at times. Sometimes people use headphones if they need to concentrate on something, but it's generally not suited for people who require a lot of quiet time, so that's something to be aware of. There are also other areas in the building you can hide out if you need to, and the WiFi reaches the picnic tables outside. We like to bring in breakfast to share on Friday mornings, although sometimes people bring cold pizza. The most often you'll need to be heads down at your desk is during the Nerf gun wars. Speaking of which, how's your aim?"

mikenberger · January 2015

jenna8984 said:

I know some of you said on climbingwife's post that you have conducted many interviews so I'd love your opinion. I had 2 phone screens with a company last week (one with HR and one with the dept manager/ direct boss). They have asked me in for a 2 hour interview this week and my recruiter tells me that it's only myself and one other candidate being brought in. Now, not to sound cocky but I'm really good at interviewing. I have been told by several of my bosses that the skill level was the same and my personality was the deciding factor.
So my question really is- I have it really good at my current company. I can email/ text/ knot as long as my work is done- no one micromanages me. I can take sick days here and there and there's no tracking. I can take a long lunch or leave early for appointments and no one cares. I can bring my laptop home and work from home in snow or if I'm not feeling well. I just got a raise so I feel appreciated and secure in my position. How I could possibly find out about any of those things at the new job? I would never ask during an interview because it would make me look bad asking about having freedom...but I also don't want to give up what I have here if it's going to be completely different and restrictive.....any advice? Ways to word it? Ask HR after a (potential) offer has been made? No way to find out/ have to take the risk?

Well, your last paragraph brings me to the question "Why in the world are you leaving?" Sounds like a pretty sweet gig to me!

Personally, I asked what a typical work day looked like and I took a lot of notice what people wore and what their hair color was. (Hair color was a personal thing. I came from a VERY relaxed environment where I was allowed to have pink hair and I moved into a company that frowned greatly upon unnatural hair colors.) Told me a lot about the company and my department when I asked what the work day/week was like.

jenna8984 · January 2015

I know. That's the thing- I'm not looking for a light work load, I have no problem doing solid work all day with a few texts here and here. I'm looking more for freedom if I have to be an hour late for an appointment, or not get docked for missing a snow day. I'm salary so I work late at month end 12 hour days with no overtime. So my company now let's me kind of "offset" that during other times, that's all I'm really looking for.

[Deleted User] · January 2015

Ditto to what lolo said! I don't think there's anything wrong with asking about work/life balance, the office culture, etc. I think most employers know that it needs to be a good company fit, not just a good job fit.

Another way you could possibly get at some of that information is by asking the interviewers about what they like most about working there. Or if you're speaking with the person you'll report to, ask them about their leadership style.

flutteringinfl · January 2015

Another option could be to track down people who do your job or a similar job for the company if you are offered it. That might give you a more honest look at the environment in a more casual, lower-stakes setting.

jenna8984 · January 2015

mikenberger said:

Well, your last paragraph brings me to the question "Why in the world are you leaving?" Sounds like a pretty sweet gig to me!

I know right! I wasn't actively looking at all, an old recruiter happened to call me about the position. Where I am now, I literally AM the accounting department. I do everything and there is no other position that I could ever move into. This new company has an accounting department of 20 people and promotions are common (that's the reason for this open spot). I'd also act as a mentor to two staff accountants fresh out of college, which sounds like awesome experience that I will never get where I am now.

flutteringinfl · January 2015

AlisonM23 said:

Ditto to what lolo said! I don't think there's anything wrong with asking about work/life balance, the office culture, etc. I think most employers know that it needs to be a good company fit, not just a good job fit.

Another way you could possibly get at some of that information is by asking the interviewers about what they like most about working there. Or if you're speaking with the person you'll report to, ask them about their leadership style.

This is great. I would be skeptical if an interviewee asks, "Is it okay if I come in late every once in awhile?" Sure, shit happens, but if you're asking me that it makes me wary that you're planning on being unreliable. But if you ask me about my leadership style, I'd be happy to tell you about how I'm very hands off, but do expect a high level of professionalism and I do check in with my staff several times a day and follow up with people they assisted, etc.

JennyColada · January 2015

This could just be my experience, but it seems to me that the culture that you've described in your OP is really not common as the norm, and should probably not be expected from any new company.

I think it's safe to assume that you'll be giving up your "free reign" perks.

ashley8918 · January 2015

JennyColada said:

This could just be my experience, but it seems to me that the culture that you've describe in your OP is really not common as the norm, and should probably not be expected from any new company.

I think it's safe to assume that you'll be giving up your "free reign" perks.

Yeah, I agree that this is probably the case.

I WILL NEVER LEAVE MY JOB! Because, you know, I need my TK time

theartistformerlyknownas · January 2015

ashley8918 said:

JennyColada said:

This could just be my experience, but it seems to me that the culture that you've describe in your OP is really not common as the norm, and should probably not be expected from any new company.

I think it's safe to assume that you'll be giving up your "free reign" perks.

Yeah, I agree that this is probably the case.

I WILL NEVER LEAVE MY JOB! Because, you know, I need my TK time

Come to advertising! We have cookies. And beer fridges and Nerf gun wars and you can wear flip flops to work.

And you definitely won't need to wear a suit to the interview. There's a famous story at my old agency about how the CEO grabbed a pair of scissors cut some guy's tie off in the middle of the interview. (He got the job though, and reimbursed for the tie.)

thespeshulestsnowflake · January 2015

lolo883 said:

ashley8918 said:

JennyColada said:

This could just be my experience, but it seems to me that the culture that you've describe in your OP is really not common as the norm, and should probably not be expected from any new company.

I think it's safe to assume that you'll be giving up your "free reign" perks.

Yeah, I agree that this is probably the case.

I WILL NEVER LEAVE MY JOB! Because, you know, I need my TK time

Come to advertising! We have cookies. And beer fridges and Nerf gun wars and you can wear flip flops to work.

And you definitely won't need to wear a suit to the interview. There's a famous story at my old agency about how the CEO grabbed a pair of scissors cut some guy's tie off in the middle of the interview. (He got the job though, and reimbursed for the tie.)

You had me at beer! Any jobs open

Cookie Pusher · January 2015

lolo883 said:
Come to advertising! We have cookies. And beer fridges and Nerf gun wars and you can wear flip flops to work.

And you definitely won't need to wear a suit to the interview. There's a famous story at my old agency about how the CEO grabbed a pair of scissors cut some guy's tie off in the middle of the interview. (He got the job though, and reimbursed for the tie.)

One of the things I missed most about agency life was mid-day Happy Hour. Who doesn't like 2 hours of company-supplied beer/wine on a Friday? What I don't miss about agency life is... not having a life outside of the agency because launches and FDA submissions and "oh my God, last minute changes sent in at 5pm that need to be done and approved and messengered to the client before the 7am meeting tomorrow!". I still work in traffic but on the client side, which has the perks of agency life but without having to do anything after 5pm.

ashley8918 · January 2015

lolo883 said:

ashley8918 said:

JennyColada said:

This could just be my experience, but it seems to me that the culture that you've describe in your OP is really not common as the norm, and should probably not be expected from any new company.

I think it's safe to assume that you'll be giving up your "free reign" perks.

Yeah, I agree that this is probably the case.

I WILL NEVER LEAVE MY JOB! Because, you know, I need my TK time

Come to advertising! We have cookies. And beer fridges and Nerf gun wars and you can wear flip flops to work.

And you definitely won't need to wear a suit to the interview. There's a famous story at my old agency about how the CEO grabbed a pair of scissors cut some guy's tie off in the middle of the interview. (He got the job though, and reimbursed for the tie.)

Shit girl, sign me up!

Pharmaceuticals are so stuffy. I wear a suit every damn day. EW.

jenna8984 · January 2015

@lolo883 So not fair. Mine is like "the Office" but not funny.

jenna8984 · January 2015

UPDATE

So I went on the interview and it's a big fat nope. I would be in a cubicle farm (I have a corner office right now) and it just seemed insanely structured. Like they kept talking about doing things as a team, and team meetings. I asked about the capability of working from home (I can now) and they basically said "No, we need you here with the team". I'm sorry but I'm an accountant for a reason- I enjoy being left the hell alone all day. The controller seemed like she'd be in my business all the time (right now my boss barely checks in with me).

So then on their job posting it said people love working for this company and no one ever wants to leave. I asked what factors contribute to that and the boss actually said "Really? the listing said that? I wouldn't say that at all. My team from 6 years ago only has 2 people left". That threw me for a fucking loop.

theartistformerlyknownas · January 2015

Holy cow. Who the hell admits to high turnover like that in an interview?! Glad you dodged that bullet!

JennyColada · January 2015

jenna8984 said:
So then on their job posting it said people love working for this company and no one ever wants to leave. I asked what factors contribute to that and the boss actually said "Really? the listing said that? I wouldn't say that at all. My team from 6 years ago only has 2 people left". That threw me for a fucking loop.

jenna8984 · January 2015

Right?! The only reason I even considered leaving my great job was because I thought it would be good for long-term career in a few years. WRONG! So happy that I just got a raise where I am, I'm staying!

mikenberger · January 2015

jenna8984 said:
UPDATE
So I went on the interview and it's a big fat nope. I would be in a cubicle farm (I have a corner office right now) and it just seemed insanely structured. Like they kept talking about doing things as a team, and team meetings. I asked about the capability of working from home (I can now) and they basically said "No, we need you here with the team". I'm sorry but I'm an accountant for a reason- I enjoy being left the hell alone all day. The controller seemed like she'd be in my business all the time (right now my boss barely checks in with me).
So then on their job posting it said people love working for this company and no one ever wants to leave. I asked what factors contribute to that and the boss actually said "Really? the listing said that? I wouldn't say that at all. My team from 6 years ago only has 2 people left". That threw me for a fucking loop.

Fuck that hard. Big ol pile of nope.

kvruns · January 2015

I'd run too! My last job was like the place you interviewed - sucked! Mine now is laid back like yours and I know it will be hard to leave to another company. I've told some of the younger people they're lucky to be at a place like this bc most companies don't have this kind of culture

huskypuppy14 · January 2015

lolo883 said:

ashley8918 said:

JennyColada said:

This could just be my experience, but it seems to me that the culture that you've describe in your OP is really not common as the norm, and should probably not be expected from any new company.

I think it's safe to assume that you'll be giving up your "free reign" perks.

Yeah, I agree that this is probably the case.

I WILL NEVER LEAVE MY JOB! Because, you know, I need my TK time

Come to advertising! We have cookies. And beer fridges and Nerf gun wars and you can wear flip flops to work.

And you definitely won't need to wear a suit to the interview. There's a famous story at my old agency about how the CEO grabbed a pair of scissors cut some guy's tie off in the middle of the interview. (He got the job though, and reimbursed for the tie.)

Do we have the same CEO. He never cut anyone's tie off, but he teases people (nicely, once they get the job) for wearing suits, if that's their thing.

Hey @jenna8984 want to come work for my company in Cambridge. I am not sure if there is an opening in accounting, but we've doubled our size in the last year, and that was double in size from the year before. Great benefits, laid back culture, work hard play hard atmosphere.

ETA: We have happy hour once a month, and there is always beer and wine in the fridge. We have a ping pong table. No one has an office though, but there are lots of rooms to escape to. There are many companies with this type of culture, it seems.

cupcait927 · January 2015

Run far away! I worked for a company like that. It was so awful. My job now is awesome and if you've got something good at your current job, stay! I can't imagine giving up what I have now.

jenna8984 · January 2015

@huskypuppy14 That sounds so awesome! And no doubt anything in Cambridge pays more than Hopkinton but I would murder myself making that drive. It already takes me 45 minutes and that is a solid 30 minutes further

waaaaahh

ShellD13 · January 2015

Boston Traffic stinks... I was working in Boston when I bought a condo in Worcester (I thought it was a GREAT investment, oy). The commute killed me! I ended up changing jobs a mere three months later. Don't get me wrong I didn't regret it because the new job was a huge improvement but I would have killed myself if I'd stayed in Boston. If there was an accident my 52 minute drive (outside of rush hour) could easily become 2 to 2/12 hours!

Now I live 3 miles from my office door - dreams do come true :-)

[Deleted User] · January 2015

Lots of good questions above to ask in the interview. You could also jump on LinkedIn and try to connect with some recent former employees to ask about their experience (I'd hesitate to ask a current employee in case they bring it up to someone on the hiring team- never know).

You can also check sites like glass door where people can review companies. I always take that with a grain of salt though; people are more likely to complain than they are to rejoice about an employer. You could also go to glass door, read the reviews, and then ask if they are familiar with the reviews and how do they feel about them. This one is a bit risky, but it could give you some insight.

Question for those who conduct interviews- update*

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