Finding the right position is one thing when looking for a new job, but finding the right boss should be just as important. You may have already worked for someone who wasn’t a good fit for your working style, so you’re aware of how critical it can be to find someone you may work with.
You can find the right boss and job if you’re willing to put in some research. While you can do some research during the job interview, you can get an idea of who your boss may be, thanks to the information available on the internet.
1. Research Your Potential Boss on Social Media
An excellent way to learn about your boss before you meet them is to check their social media profiles. See if your potential boss is on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. You can learn a lot about a person based on what they post on their social media. You can get an idea about their sense of humor and the issues that are important to them.
Just as employers may check out potential employees on social media, you can do the same with your potential boss. While doing your research may give you a good idea of the personality of your potential boss, you may want to avoid referencing anything you saw on social media, so they don’t know you cyber stalked them.
Once you get the call for the job interview, there are things you’re able to do to prepare that may impress your potential boss. You may be interested in learning aboutsites to learn how to prepare for a job interview and impress bosses.
2. Check Your Potential Boss’ References
Your potential boss isn’t the only one who can do reference checks. Just like your boss will want to hear from previous employers about what it’s like to work with you, you can do the same and check their references to see how it is to work with them.
If you’re wondering how to do that without asking your potential boss for references, you may be able to find former and current colleagues via LinkedIn. You can send private messages on the platform, introducing yourself and telling them you’re interested in working with a colleague they previously or currently worked with.
You may want to keep in mind that you might get more honest feedback from former colleagues than current ones, as they may be worried that what they say may get back to their boss. If you’re looking for help organizing your work references, you may be interested in learning aboutthe best sites to help you organize your job references.
3. Check Company Reviews Online From Current and Former Employees
You can dig deeper and learn about your potential boss and the overall feel of the organization by researching company review sites likeGlassdoor,Indeed,Comparably, andCareerBliss. These sites can give you an idea about the hiring process, the management style, and other elements that help to create a company culture.
When reading the reviews on the various websites, you may find that the reviews are on one extreme to the other. The people that submit reviews are often either unhappy with the employer or believe they work at the best company, so you may want to take the extremes with a grain of salt.
Reading company reviews and what current and former employees say about the organization can give you insight into the organization and its people. You may be interested in learning aboutthe best employee review sites to learn more about a company.
4. Find Out Who the Boss of Your Boss Is
to know who your potential boss reports to, as this helps you understand the type of management style they work under. The way your potential boss' boss manages them may trickle down into the way they work with you, resulting in positive or negative consequences.
For example, if you get to the interview stage, you may want to ask your potential boss what kind of skills and personal development you need to understand whether your boss' boss supports that. You should expect that your boss’s level of support will be the same for you if they become your employer.
you may do an internet search to find out who your potential boss' boss is and see if there are any comments about them on company review sites, and you can check them out on social media just like your potential boss. If the boss you want to work for uses a recruiting firm, you may be interested inthe best creative hacks to get recruiters' attention.
5. Reach Out to Your Network
If you’re familiar with the six degrees of separation, you know there’s a theory that we’re all connected by six or fewer social connections. You can test this theory by asking your network if they or anyone they know has worked with your potential boss.
When you find your potential boss on social media, most platforms will tell you if you have any connections in common. Provided you have some, you may reach out to the common contacts to learn more.
Even if you don’t have any connections in common, you’re able to try contacting professionals in the industry to see if anyone has a link to the organizations or your potential boss. In the event that you can’t find someone on social media, you may be interested in learninghow to find the right contact person for your emails.
It Is Possible to Find the Right Boss
Finding the right boss can feel like the search for the impossible. The good news is that the internet has provided you with access to information we wouldn’t have had twenty years ago.
Whether it’s checking out a potential boss on social media or talking to former employers, you can get an idea of the type of boss they are. You may be surprised to find out that someone in your network has a connection that has worked with your potential boss and can provide you with the inside scoop!
