Terse, evasive answer to interview question. Red flag? UPDATE p24

[portabella]

I think sometimes people forget that the job interview is actually a two-way street.

So true.  But in today's tough job market employers know that many applicants are desperate.  Often they use that to their advantage.

[VltGrantham]

I think sometimes people forget that the job interview is actually a two-way street.

So true.  But in today's tough job market employers know that many applicants are desperate.  Often they use that to their advantage.

Agreed and frankly they do have the advantage in many ways.  It seems like the only advantage a job seeker has is the power of refusal.  And often, if you really need a job, it's hard to turn one down.

I hate to say it, but honestly, I might be tempted to take the job but at the same time keep looking (if I really needed the job--the OP's friend doesn't sound like she does).  And I wouldn't feel the slightest bit of guilt about switching again very shortly if there were an issue.

[portabella]

And having a future boss try to impress me with their wealth and/or suggest that we might be traveling together in such a way would really squick me out.

Yeah, this made me roll my eyes.  Okay, I would like to go to Hawaii as much as the next person (since I've never been there) but with people of my choosing - not my boss or coworkers.  And why tell an applicant about all the property you own?  I'd find it hard not to start snoring . . . .(j/k but you get my drift)

[mrkitty]

I think sometimes people forget that the job interview is actually a two-way street.

So true.  But in today's tough job market employers know that many applicants are desperate.  Often they use that to their advantage.

Agreed and frankly they do have the advantage in many ways.  It seems like the only advantage a job seeker has is the power of refusal.  And often, if you really need a job, it's hard to turn one down.

I hate to say it, but honestly, I might be tempted to take the job but at the same time keep looking (if I really needed the job--the OP's friend doesn't sound like she does).  And I wouldn't feel the slightest bit of guilt about switching again very shortly if there were an issue.

This is certainly the truth. Just as employees have to accept the fact that they can be fired for doing a poor job (or any reason, for that matter), employees are free to leave at any time for any reason, as well.

[HonorH]

The OM is generally a pretty good barometer of what the overall feel of the office will be, which is why I called her response a red flag. She was tense and angry and a little unprofessional in response to a simple question. To me, that says there's a big problem in the office. After hearing about the boss, I think we can all guess what the big problem is. Good luck to your friend, and I really think she dodged a bullet.

[heathert]

I'm wondering if this was an office romance that went south?

[portabella]

I'm wondering if this was an office romance that went south?

Or his attempt at an office romance . . .his former asst was only there a few weeks and supposedly was going thru a divorce.

[mrkitty]

I personally would be at least mildly concerned when the boss mentioned travel with him...I have been in similar job interview situations. I always declined the offer, the times an offer was extended, because I would not feel comfortable with that. It all depends on the situation, of course, and the communication nuances, but still, letting an applicant know in the interview that they would be expected to travel to exotic locations like that in the course of business...is cause for at least mild concern, or at least learning more about what is expected and if others will go to, say to a tradeshow where the marketing team all goes together versus a business trip where he needs his assistant to travel with him alone....those are two very different scenarios, in my book. One being legitimate, the other sounding like he's looking for more than an assistant. I can't imagine why a boss would need his assistant to travel with him these days, what with Ipads and cell phones and computers...what could you do for him on the business trip that he can't do for himself or call you at the office? That would seriously have to be answered for me before I went on that trip, personally. JMHO.

[greencat]

I had one of those job offers.  I turned it down because I'm not practicing the oldest profession.

[ShanghaiJill]

That reminds me of a help wanted ad that used to run in our local paper.

"6 people needed to work to replace 6 who wouldn't"

That ran for years and years and years.


I always wondered what exactly they did...or didn't.

[yokozbornak]

I'm wondering if this was an office romance that went south?

That was my first thought as well!  Sounds like your friend made a good decision!

[Lillie82]

I personally would be at least mildly concerned when the boss mentioned travel with him...I have been in similar job interview situations. I always declined the offer, the times an offer was extended, because I would not feel comfortable with that. It all depends on the situation, of course, and the communication nuances, but still, letting an applicant know in the interview that they would be expected to travel to exotic locations like that in the course of business...is cause for at least mild concern, or at least learning more about what is expected and if others will go to, say to a tradeshow where the marketing team all goes together versus a business trip where he needs his assistant to travel with him alone....those are two very different scenarios, in my book. One being legitimate, the other sounding like he's looking for more than an assistant. I can't imagine why a boss would need his assistant to travel with him these days, what with Ipads and cell phones and computers...what could you do for him on the business trip that he can't do for himself or call you at the office? That would seriously have to be answered for me before I went on that trip, personally. JMHO.

The bolded was the first thing that went through my head when I read the part about travel, and I thought maybe I had become too cynical or had my mind too much in the gutter.

[Calypso]

Sounds like a wise decision. The original tersness wasn't a bad flag, but now that there's context, it makes sense. I'll bet the office manager is frustrated by the president's management style and didn't want to get into it.

Dollars to donuts the president used (or would use on the next hiree) the following phrase: "You make me look good and I'll make you look good."

I'm glad the OP's friend didn't take the job; it sounds like a hinky workplace. But, re the bolded----what am I missing? I thought employees are supposed to do stuff that makes their bosses "look good." I'm not being facetious; my work history is so non-corporate, I really think I'm not getting something here. Help? 

[artk2002]

Sounds like a wise decision. The original tersness wasn't a bad flag, but now that there's context, it makes sense. I'll bet the office manager is frustrated by the president's management style and didn't want to get into it.

Dollars to donuts the president used (or would use on the next hiree) the following phrase: "You make me look good and I'll make you look good."

I'm glad the OP's friend didn't take the job; it sounds like a hinky workplace. But, re the bolded----what am I missing? I thought employees are supposed to do stuff that makes their bosses "look good." I'm not being facetious; my work history is so non-corporate, I really think I'm not getting something here. Help? 

I've never, ever, heard that statement delivered by someone who wasn't a bad boss. It's been a prelude to stealing credit and throwing underlings under the bus. Given the egotism in the interview, I'd take this as another sign that it's a very bad boss.

For me, the best relationship is where the boss lets the employee shine and doesn't worry about his/her own image. If you hire good people and give them the tools to do the job, then you will look good.

[portabella]

Sounds like a wise decision. The original tersness wasn't a bad flag, but now that there's context, it makes sense. I'll bet the office manager is frustrated by the president's management style and didn't want to get into it.

Dollars to donuts the president used (or would use on the next hiree) the following phrase: "You make me look good and I'll make you look good."

I'm glad the OP's friend didn't take the job; it sounds like a hinky workplace. But, re the bolded----what am I missing? I thought employees are supposed to do stuff that makes their bosses "look good." I'm not being facetious; my work history is so non-corporate, I really think I'm not getting something here. Help? 

I've never, ever, heard that statement delivered by someone who wasn't a bad boss. It's been a prelude to stealing credit and throwing underlings under the bus. Given the egotism in the interview, I'd take this as another sign that it's a very bad boss.

For me, the best relationship is where the boss lets the employee shine and doesn't worry about his/her own image. If you hire good people and give them the tools to do the job, then you will look good.

I agree.  Usually that statement means “You make me look great, and I’ll scratch your back once in a while.  But I’ll also throw it in your face about how I did you a favor.”

Also, while the boss in my post may or may not have had unsavory motives re: travel, I’d bet he would use all the Hawaii stuff as leverage.  Pffft, who needs THAT?

Ooooh, by the way . . .forgot this part.   Friend said during the interview he mentioned something about how he needs someone to do things like getting hold of his tailor and his personal chef.  Strange things to mention during an interview – obviously meant to impress.  I asked what he looked like and she said late 40s, short, and a chubby body. 

I also asked what the snippy office manager looked like.  She said "The housekeeper Alice from the Brady Bunch - but minus the smile."  Heh.  Although I still think OM was out of line, my guess is that she gets tired of boss's nonsense (and the staff turnover) but he's probably paying her big bucks so she won't quit.