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New job ick

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Happy Spring, Sustain Friends! ✌️

This is my first newsletter of the year written outside since we just had a super nice Pacific Northwest weekend (coffee view pictured). The writing process goes that much better with some late winter/early spring gentle breeze (still cold) hitting you on the side of the face. Keeps the words flowing!

Last week, I shared 7 red flags you shouldn’t ignore while weighing where on the toxic range your job is.

I’m leaning into the spirit of March Madness this week. Actually just madness. But not the madness of my wife filling out her bracket by hottest coach 😂 (She picked Duke’s coach)

What madness should you look out for when interviewing? How do you identify if your new company, team, and/or boss is toxic?

The last thing you want to do is muster up the courage to leave a toxic environment. Feel relief for getting out. Then a week into your new job be like oh shit 😬.

Here’s a quick list to look out for (some obvious, some less so):

1. There’s bad communication with the recruiter
2. Steps get added to the process or it’s not clear what the process is
3. Weeks go by between rounds
4. The interviewers don’t show up on time (or at all)
5. They ask you to create and present strategy for their business without compensation or not nearly enough context/details.
6. They don’t give you time to ask questions of them
7. They give you a hard time about taking planned PTO soon after your start
8. They pressure you into making your decision
9. They pressure you into a start date
10. Interviewers aren’t shy about the fact it’s been “crazy” or “a mess” lately
11. The hiring manager can’t articulate what success looks like – specifically
12. They won’t say if it’s a backfill or net new role
13. There’s no intentionality about employee growth and development
14. There’s no defined office policy or they are wishy-washy about it changing soon
15. Your gut says something isn’t right. It usually doesn’t miss.

It’s easy to ignore signs when you’re desperate to get out. Take your time with things, if you can. Listen to your friends and family who ask the annoying questions. Reflect on those answers. You want to feel as confident as possible about your move. Something – anything – other than your current situation might not be the best answer.

Here are some additional ways to gather info:

1. Glassdoor reviews
2. Anonymous sites like Blind or Fishbowl
3. Reach out to former employees on LinkedIn (especially if they were on a similar team/department)
4. Ask these questions in your interview process
   1. “How do you handle new urgent priorities after quarterly goals/OKRs have been finalized?”
   2. “How often are you logged on nights/weekends or while taking time off?”
   3. “Can you share one area the team is doing well and one opportunity area for the team based on recent employee surveys?”
   4. “How is success defined in this role? Both qualitative and quantitative factors.”
   5. [If you speak to somebody who reports to your prospective boss] “Do you feel comfortable sharing your opinion about what work gets done or how it does?”

Remember: You’re looking for a place where you can do great work, not too much, socialize it, and log off ✌️
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Grant Gurewitz Full-time corporate type and School of Logging Off Founder

Good vibes only ✌️

Working hard or hardly working? Doesn't matter. Step into nature for a brief moment of awe to escape the crazy at work 😵‍💫