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You have to be more sneaky. Rather than asking something as generic as >What's it like working here? ask them >What do you like the most about working here?

You have to be more sneaky. Rather than asking something as generic as >What's it like working here? ask them >What do you like the most about working here? If they give you something like "the stability" or "the high pay" those are generally bad signs. Better signs would for example be "the great people I get to work with every day" or "the autonomy to get to choose what I work on".

bishnu 14y ago
My favorite way of phrasing this question is "how does working here compare to other tech companies you've worked at?".
Zenst 14y ago
Very true, looking at the types and state of the cars in there car park and haveing a chat with the smoking cabals outside fire exits is often a easier way to get a answear to some degree. But indirectly asking questions is the way and it is those clever ways that are the types of questions i'm realy interested in, like my question about ISO/BS standards, it opend them up to so much more than a simple yes and no and gives you insight into other area's. Like working conditions, are they documented well, badly, not at all, do they even know about those standards, is it something there looking at (often crops up that last answear on many area's sadly). Is the pay individual perofmance based or team based and is it limited/capped in that if I do 200% better am I capped at some rate of inflation % rise anyhow. I also like to ask about problems, what was the worst day like this past year and why and how likely is that to happen again. That tells you alot about so many area's and also opens them up into telling you how it is as well as allowing you to highlight your relevant skills and chip in with did you try this or that at the right times, even if you agree and play noddy whilst they talk. One I always ask is can I have a look around the office, the area were I would be working if I was to be offered a position. That is useful in guaging there interest as if they are not interested they will come up with a reason why they can't do that, if they are keen for that you can see what your dealing with and also get a good feel from the way others have there desks decorated. Be they anal, stuffed south park toys, simpsons posters, collection of 2600 mags. Those type of things, you can get a feel on many levels from that. Asking them how long they have been there is another good one, longer the better, but if they sound bitter then you can take that as not a good sign as well. Though if there two hyper only been there few months then they are sadly not realy able to give you a a true picture, so again take advantage of there hyper still all new to me as well fun happy time mood and take a look around.
hkmurakami 14y ago
You can probably throw the "If you could change one thing about the company, what would it be" type question as well.
- Zenst 14y ago
  Or you can ask it along the lines of, what changes good and bad have you experienced in your working enviroment over your time here. If they can't list something in either then I'm usualy wary, most will at least complain about the canteen or some change, even if cheaper coffee. Though if there is no good changes and no bad changes they can think of then it does sound like it could be a boring company.
- mirkules 14y ago
  That's a nice play on the "What are you biggest strengths and weaknesses" interview question, in reverse. The only problem with that -- as we've been conditioned over the years of being asked this stupid question -- is to list a strength as a weakness (http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewquestionsanswers/qt/weakness.htm http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewquestionsanswers/qt/w...) so you don't actually get much meaningful information (other than maybe subtle red flags, like "stability" or "benefits are good", as someone mentioned).

bishnu 14y ago

My favorite way of phrasing this question is "how does working here compare to other tech companies you've worked at?".

Zenst 14y ago

Very true, looking at the types and state of the cars in there car park and haveing a chat with the smoking cabals outside fire exits is often a easier way to get a answear to some degree. But indirectly asking questions is the way and it is those clever ways that are the types of questions i'm realy interested in, like my question about ISO/BS standards, it opend them up to so much more than a simple yes and no and gives you insight into other area's. Like working conditions, are they documented well, badly, not at all, do they even know about those standards, is it something there looking at (often crops up that last answear on many area's sadly). Is the pay individual perofmance based or team based and is it limited/capped in that if I do 200% better am I capped at some rate of inflation % rise anyhow. I also like to ask about problems, what was the worst day like this past year and why and how likely is that to happen again. That tells you alot about so many area's and also opens them up into telling you how it is as well as allowing you to highlight your relevant skills and chip in with did you try this or that at the right times, even if you agree and play noddy whilst they talk. One I always ask is can I have a look around the office, the area were I would be working if I was to be offered a position. That is useful in guaging there interest as if they are not interested they will come up with a reason why they can't do that, if they are keen for that you can see what your dealing with and also get a good feel from the way others have there desks decorated. Be they anal, stuffed south park toys, simpsons posters, collection of 2600 mags. Those type of things, you can get a feel on many levels from that. Asking them how long they have been there is another good one, longer the better, but if they sound bitter then you can take that as not a good sign as well. Though if there two hyper only been there few months then they are sadly not realy able to give you a a true picture, so again take advantage of there hyper still all new to me as well fun happy time mood and take a look around.

hkmurakami 14y ago

You can probably throw the "If you could change one thing about the company, what would it be" type question as well.

Zenst 14y ago
Or you can ask it along the lines of, what changes good and bad have you experienced in your working enviroment over your time here. If they can't list something in either then I'm usualy wary, most will at least complain about the canteen or some change, even if cheaper coffee. Though if there is no good changes and no bad changes they can think of then it does sound like it could be a boring company.
mirkules 14y ago
That's a nice play on the "What are you biggest strengths and weaknesses" interview question, in reverse. The only problem with that -- as we've been conditioned over the years of being asked this stupid question -- is to list a strength as a weakness (http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewquestionsanswers/qt/weakness.htm http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewquestionsanswers/qt/w...) so you don't actually get much meaningful information (other than maybe subtle red flags, like "stability" or "benefits are good", as someone mentioned).