OK, clearly, no one is perfect. When it comes to bosses this fact remains true. However, there are bosses who are better or worse for you. Learning how to spot them may be the best thing you can do for your career.
This is a topic that is completely new to me. When thinking about the job search, interviews, resumes, and all the things associated with finding employment, thinking about what kind of boss I will have is not even on the list.
I tend to think that the boss comes with the job. I can't exactly pick and choose. If I want the job I have to take the boss. All other concerns are secondary. Of course I want a boss I can tolerate. But that usually just comes down to luck...or does it?
According to one article, the type of person you work for is essential to your career. There are many types of bosses and narrowing down the "right" one for you may be the smartest thing you can do to advance yourself.
- What do you want out of your career?
- What level are you in your career?
- What are your weaknesses?
- What is more important to you?
There are a few more considerations listed in the article but these made the most sense. You may need different things from a boss depending on your goals for the future, your training, and the skills you have now.
If you are just starting out and still need to "learn the ropes," a boss that is more nuturing might be more useful to you. This type of boss will more likely make time to discuss the work with you and answer any questions you may have. A boss that is extremely busy and expects you to be a self-starter may not be what you need.
For example, you may want to switch gears and try a similar job in a different industry or a take a different job altogether. It will take you some time to re-adjust and get accustomed to the work.
On the other hand, if you are an experienced job seeker your goals are to advance in your career and establish useful connections to get you there. Perhaps you want more freedom to get your work done and don't need someone checking up on you every five seconds. It might be of interest to you to work for a boss with a more attractive job title and responsiblities so you can work your way up the proverbial ladder.
Then again, for some, according to the article, the type of boss they work for is not as important as money or recognition. Considering the current economic climate this is a stance that most people have to take. Many people are more concerned with putting food on the table and paying bills. However, even if you are someone in this current situation (and let's face it, all of us are) it is still smart to have the answers to these types of questions for the future.
I've known a few people who have been stuck in a job that is going nowhere simply because they didn't take the time to evaluate their situation. For some it was due to bosses that were too busy to acknowledge their accomplishments or give them challenging work. For others, they just learned they were incompatible with their work situation. Instead of finding this out after years have been lost, be proactive in your career. Afterall, if you don't care about it than no one else will, either.
What are some traits/characteristics you think make a "good" boss? What type of boss would be the most beneficial to you at this point in your career?
Samantha is a Boston, Massachusetts native. Her studies have taken her from Ohio to England, and then Spain. She has lived abroad for more than 4 years. Currently, Samantha lives in North Carolina with her husband. She is a writer for Nexxt and contributes to one of its many blogs: retailgig
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