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Talk to as many people as you can at the company, especially people who aren't in leadership positions. Ask if you can talk to a couple of the people who'd be r
by gyardley 10y ago
Talk to as many people as you can at the company, especially people who aren't in leadership positions. Ask if you can talk to a couple of the people who'd be reporting to you. A scheduled interview is like talking to a provided reference, while an unscheduled interview is like calling up someone not on the provided reference list - you're more likely to get something interesting from the latter.
Whether it's a scheduled or unscheduled interview, people generally want to speak honestly with you - they just might not feel like they have permission to do so, or feel that airing the company's dirty laundry would be inappropriate. In my experience, it can be hard to get people to initially admit things aren't perfect, but once they've done so, the floodgates open.
I tend to ask things like "so, how would you rate working here on a scale of one to ten?" Unless they're absolutely delighted with their workplace, most people respond with an eight or a nine, which doesn't mean anything - you'll get an eight or nine if the company's pretty great, and you'll get an eight or nine if the company's a total dumpster fire. But then you can say "A nine? Why not a ten? What would make your experience here a ten?" This doesn't always work, but at this point the interviewee figures they've already admitted the company isn't 100% ideal and I've usually gotten an unvarnished opinion.
- rudolf0 10y agoI don't think this would work on me if I were being asked questions by a candidate. I would just lie and say everything's fine no matter how much they insist. Telling some random stranger "I hate this fucking company and wouldn't be surprised if it goes bankrupt within a year" gives me no benefits and puts me at a lot of risk; plus it's just awkward.
- majormajor 10y agoNot being able to get more than "everything's fine" out of someone is a pretty big indicator. :) If you can't tell me why it's fine, it probably isn't from your perspective. And if your answer isn't convincing, likewise. How much prep would you really put into giving a good, convincing, story about how great the company is that wouldn't be noticable compared to other people's answers?
- nostrademons 10y agoMost people can detect a lie like that. It's not what you say, but how you say it. Mumbling "Oh, I love working here, it's great" in a level tone of voice while staring at the floor is very different from exclaiming "Oh, I love working here, it's great" while looking you in the eye, standing up straight with your shoulders back and relaxed.
- JSeymourATL 10y ago> Talk to as many people as you can at the company, especially people who aren't in leadership positions. Solid advice, do try to connect with the junior & overseas staff. Listen to the substance of their answers. Is it an "Us" and "Them" corporate culture? Areas to explore: Ask, What are things that the group does well and should keep doing? What are some things you'd like to change? What is it you're afraid a new leader might do? Anything else they'd like to discuss?
- mud_dauber 10y agoDefinitely. In fact it's the overseas teams that I really want to meet. Finding out whether they have their own 'destiny', or are simply coders-for-hire, is incredibly important.
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- mud_dauber 10y agoI have to admit, I like this question. Nice.