Turning the Tables: Avoid Job Regret and Interview Your Future Employer.

The Everyday Real
4 years ago

You know the feeling well. There’s that little niggle in your tummy on the first day of your new job… did you make the right choice?

Before too long, you’re swept up in the learning curve of the new role, meeting your team and getting to understand who’s who. But, the shine doesn’t last does it? That niggle returns, the politics creep in, the overtime starts adding up and the promotion slips even further away.

You may not have done all your research and might be feeling like it’s now too late… You’re stuck in a role you’ve only been in for a few months and you’re too fearful of the resume damage that might occur if you throw in the towel. What could you have done differently? How could you stop this from happening again?

It’s all down to a shift in mindset…

Don’t just go in promising everything

Too often, we head into interviews solely ready to sell ourselves. We’re so focused on what we have to offer the company, that we don’t think about what they are going to do for us, for our lives, for our careers.

“It’s not what you can do for your company, it’s about what your company can do for you.”

This is all down to a mindset issue – desperation, a feeling of ‘lack’ and a concern for security. Sure, we have bills to pay, but wouldn’t it feel better to have those bills paid by a company you morally align with? Does the industry you’re heading into conflict with your environmental beliefs? Are the working hours anti-social or inflexible? Just because you’ve been invited for an interview, does not mean that they are the right fit for you. 

Take some time to think about what’s important to you – you could even write yourself a list of non-negotiables for any job role you apply for. Remember, you are an asset, not a cog in the machine.

Health benefits

It’s not enough, these days, for companies to offer statutory sick pay and nothing else. In our highly intense working environments, stress and poor mental health are more prevalent than ever. Whilst you may not have suffered from these issues in the past, it doesn’t mean that you’re immune for the foreseeable future.

Many companies are integrating a number of ‘mental health days’, in addition to their illness provision – allowing employees to take some downtime before stress and poor mental health starts to impact their work. 95% of employees who have taken time off due to stress, named another reason – such as an upset stomach or headache. What’s more, less than 30% of employees feel comfortable talking to their managers about their mental health. 

Before you sign on the dotted line, ask to see their mental health manifesto or support plan. Look for concrete answers and examples of their commitment to this within their company ethos and your contract.

The questions YOU should be asking

Think it’s all about getting their questions right? No sir! Make sure you check how well the company you’re interviewing for tallies up. Ask questions to understand if the company personally aligns with your goals, whether that’s childcare, flexible hours, the option to work at home, transport initiatives or health care. If they can’t answer on the spot, invite them to follow up in an email. It might seem intimidating to turn the tables, but it actually shows integrity and a level of wider awareness.

To download the free question guide on “How to Interview Your Future Employer”, sign into the Females in Food members’ lounge to gain access.

Be brave, be demonstrative

Have you ever come up against an interview question that starts with: “Give an example of a time when…”

Yuck! Such a toughy, right? Well, your interviewers should be able to answer the same type of questions about their company or role. If you’re concerned about the environmental impact, ask them for examples of sustainable initiatives or eco-schemes. Looking out for diversity? Ask for their gender, race and nationality ratios.

Don’t be scared to hunt out the facts you need to make your decision. No one wants to walk in on their first day to find themselves in a place that simply doesn’t reflect their own agenda – that’s a shortcut to disenfranchisement.

Align your values

In your personal life, what matters to you? Spending intentional, tech-free time with your family? Reducing your plastic intake? Sourcing sustainably sourced materials for your home?

Whatever it is, there is no reason that this shouldn’t translate into your workplace. As a vegan, are you concerned about how the canteen is managed? As a liberal, are you asking questions about diversity and equality within the hiring process? As a woman, do you have concerns surrounding harassment or childcare provision? As a parent, are you conscious of how work-life affects your home life? 

Before heading to an interview, or even before applying for a role, take the time to work on your non-negotiable values… and stick to them.

Make an impression in the first 90 seconds 

Sure, you’ve heard this one before. You have the first 90 seconds of your interview to make an impression – but so often we focus on that impression being one of a polite, capable and well-meaning employee. What if we flicked the switch and started presenting ourselves as trail-blazing, confident and ground-breaking individuals with a strong moral code and high expectations? How would that look for you?

What would you have to say in the first 90 seconds of your interview to leave the interviewee with the impression you actually want them to have?

As part of The Everyday Real, we provide executive training on topics such as Executive Presence, as well as giving you a community of women to bounce ideas off – in Females In Food. If you’re transitioning into a new role or are interviewing for one, why not delve into some of the support we’ve curated for you.

Haven’t found your perfect role yet? Check out our members-only job board for up-to-the-minute opportunities that align with you.

Business team meeting new manager

7 Things to Do in Your First 90 Days as a New Manager

Any time you step into a new role or start at a new company, you want to put your best foot forward. This is especially true when you get promoted from an individual contributor to manager. Those first 90 days are a chance to prove yourself and show the company they made the right decision selecting you for the job.

Two girls sitting in front of computer

Resources to Elevate Your Business or Side Hustle

Every business has its secret to success. While we don’t know your trade secret, we do know most companies aren’t successful on their own. They have a team of supporters behind them and a slew of resources, keeping them on track and organized. Whether it’s your business, your side hustle, or a passion project, there are tools you can implement today to take your work to the next level.