Signs to a good and or bad company?

This is kind of a loaded question....

I was just wondering what are some triggers you look for when either interviewing or being introduced to the work environment/team? Anything in particular that puts you off?

I find really quiet gloomy offices turn me off immediately.

Any red flags you look for?

Thanks

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Comments

the_Grinch

The biggest thing I look for is focus on the part of the interviewer. Are they listening to what I am saying? Do they appear aloof when speaking? I've always found that if these two things occurred then the environment was not going to be good.

N2IT

Thanks for the follow up. Yeah that would be a major turn off. I wonder what they actually says? They aren't really interested in filling the position that it's viewed as a necassary evil?

Just curious on your thoughts on that.

shodown

When a guy/girl is telling me how smart they are on an interview is a big red flag, or arguing with me about an answer is a huge red flag. If they don't agree with my answer they should just write down what I said, and ask am I sure and move on.

Also if they don't give a hard interview is a HUGE flag on the skills of the engineers. I have taken 2 jobs with rather weak interviews for senior level positions and both places turned out to be horrible. Every job I felt I had to "earn" my job turned out to be a rewarding place.

da_vato

I've only had one civilian job so I do not have too much personal experience in this arena however I was counseled on this very topic. What I was told sounded a little weird but I could see the logic.

When you go for you interview drive around the parking lot and look at the cars. If the cars are for the most part newer (not necessarily all top end cars) as in most likely financed, this is an indicator of stable employment. People tend to not get the newest car they can unless they feel secure in their job. He also mentioned try to ask people arbitrary questions like where is the latrine or the elevators, etc. and see how the question is generally answered. If they are pleased to answer your relatively obvious answer this is a sign of a great working atmosphere.

He elaborated a lot more than that but you get the gist of it.

N2IT

Those are some really good answers thanks gang!

I love the random question sniff test. If the AA snaps off it's over there, that could be a potential window into the culture.

LionelTeo

There is a saying that goes that if a person leaves a company, the first thing that everyone should look would be the direct manager, this is true, I once work with a team that had a manager changed, and within a year and a half, 90% of the team who had 3-8 years of working experience within the same team left, mainly due of poor management by the new manager; the team could not stand it and slowly all of them left.

From personal experience, the red flag I look out for is more on the manager reactions, if a manager converse in a way that he only talk to the point and nothing more, this would signify that it would be relatively difficult to build a good working relationship with this particular manager; because you would probably have a hard time to communicate with a manager that does not covers topic that is not regards to work.

If a direct manager elaborates a lot more on the job (best if he do the talking more), then chances are that you would be working under a great manager. Remember if you would want to sell something, the best would be the buyer has to talk more, the same principle applies in looking for employment. This would also mean a good sign of you having a higher chance in getting the position. The last interview I had would be that the team told me hey we are also going for this OSCP course, and it has noting to do with the interview by just a side casual talk, its a nice indication that people are willing to branch out to you on non work related issue, its better than to work with people that strictly talk about work only.

tprice5

Reviews on GlassDoor.com

jibbajabba

Glassdoor can be a hit and miss. A lot of times you only see reviews of peed off ex-employees who got fired

Gorby

I would also recommend speaking with a team member on the position you are applying for, it would be best if you had the opportunity to speak with them alone. I interviewed for a position a while ago and I had the opportunity to speak with a member of the team because I had to be escorted. I simply asked him what were his experiences working for the company, he told me that he hated it there, was on his way out and warned that management tends skip raises.

I know it was only one members opinion, but I had a wierd feeling leaving the interview anyway but he confirmed it....I'm glad I dodged that bullet..

the_Grinch

I find two reasons for the lack of focus. One, they just want a body and don't care who fills the spot. To me that says any monkey can do the job and they won't further your training. Two, usually because they aren't directly involved with you on a daily basis and thus it is meant to stroke someones ego. The past two jobs I've gotten I've not met the person in charge of the department for the sheer fact that they trusted the people below them to make the decision. That is definitely an environment I like to work in.

richnewman

shodown wrote: »

When a guy/girl is telling me how smart they are on an interview is a big red flag, or arguing with me about an answer is a huge red flag. If they don't agree with my answer they should just write down what I said, and ask am I sure and move on.

Not to hijack... One of the things I do is discuss an answer, but I'm usually rather blunt in general so this can (and has) come across argumentative. Any input on walking along that line?

shodown

Well are you discussing the answering or telling me the answers? The other thing is how off was I. Was I completely off which in point you can give me the right answer or ask am I sure.

My situation came in revolving a feature tied to to IOS that is ON by default. Well in the newer version of code it was OFF by default, and since I'm with an VAR who does nothing but deploy the newest, this was fresh on my mind. So I felt him telling me I'm wrong from how he's use to seeing it showed me he didn't stay abreast of the changes which working at a partner you had to be.

For what you could do in the future maybe

1. Ask are they sure. Maybe they will say they aren't

2. When you cover the answer you should be able to explain it well. It you can't explain it then you dont' know it yourself and shouldn't be asking the question.

3. Be nice and go over it with them, and point to references.