Find a Good Boss During Your Next Job Search

What kind of manager do you prefer?

If you are in the middle of your career and thinking about finding a new job, this week’s tips are for you. For this job search, you are no longer looking for your first job, the job that gets your professional life started, the one that provides money for your car payment. This time, you are looking for a job that will let you give back to your profession.

You have read the job descriptions, tailored your cover letter, and sweated over whether you feel like the perfect candidate for them. This time, take a little time to ensure the relationship is more mutual. That the job you are interviewing for is the right job for you—not just the job you think is right for you based on what you read on paper. Below are three things to consider when you search:

Will this boss help your career?

The Muse challenges you to ask about management style and to check out the boss when you interview. Career coach Michael Seaver recommends straight-up choosing a boss instead of the job. He writes, “By focusing on who your boss will be above most other criteria (e.g. total compensation, responsibility, advancement opportunities, location) changes how you pursue jobs and how happy you’ll be once you select one.”

Ask a potential boss questions.

For this search, you not trying to get your foot in the door as much as you are looking for a place where you can do good work. You already established your career. This time when you interview, prepare your own list of criteria for evaluating an office and its manger. Ask a potential boss about their professional background and to take in the office décor.

Conduct your own "reference-check" 

In some situations, David Reese recommends checking references of managers. He admits this might be appropriate for only senior management, but conducting a stealth reference check might also work. Do you know anyone who is or has worked for this manager? The idea of trying to figure out whether you will have chemistry with a future manager is an important one, especially if this job search is not just a job-changer, but a career-changer.

Managers are looking for people who will help achieve their goals. You want to find a job where helping a manager will also help you boost your career, too.