3 Job Questions You Must Ask

Lots of folks, both employees and friends, have come to me over the years to ask my thinking about a position they were considering. And no, you shouldn’t find it strange that people who worked for me asked my thinking on this – I encouraged it as part of the open communication I tried to foster. They’re co-workers, not slaves! In any event, there were always 3 questions I told them they needed to answer and IN THIS ORDER.
I should give credit here to Steve Solomon who had this same conversation with me many years ago when I worked for him at ABC Sports. It’s advice that has served me and others well over the years and since a lot of people are looking for work these days, I thought I’d pass it along.

To whom do you directly report? Your boss is the biggest factor in your success and happiness in any job.  They can empower you, guide you, and reward you.  They can also lie to you, give conflicting instructions, and make unreasonable demands.  You need to ask this question and check out the answer.  Given all the tools at our disposal these days, there’s no excuse not to have first-hand, personal information about your potential boss as you consider the job.  If you find out this person is a gem, move onto the next question.  If they’re a lump of coal, no more information needed – you won’t be taking the job.

What’s the job entail? What do you do everyday?  How are success and failure measured?  If you’re managing, how long has the staff been there?  Did any of them pitch this position?  These are the typical mundane questions you ask on any interview.  If what you will spend a huge chunk of your life doesn’t excite you, stop looking at this job and start thinking about what does float your boat.  Look there.

All the other stuff.  What does it pay?  Where is the office?  Benefits?  You know – the questions many people ask first.  Think about it – you hear about a job and the first question is “what’s it pay?”  Wrong!  If you will be working for a great boss who will help you grow in a great company while doing the things you’ve always wanted to try professionally but the office is an extra 15 minutes’ commute and you have to change trains so you pass on it, you’re an idiot.  Stop reading.  If you recognize the opportunity in front of you and would take a lateral salary move to a crappier office just for the chance, you are going places!

Ask them in the above order.  If you like the answers, enjoy your new job!

Thoughts?