Capture Real-World Career Insight & Advice That Will Prep You for The Big Time

Haven't Met My Potential Boss or Coworkers

Q:   Dear Seymour, I've gotten a job offer, but haven't met with my potential boss or co-workers. Is it reasonable to ask to meet them before I accept?

- Submitted by Charlie Gibbens, Plano, Texas

A: Dear Charlie,

Congratulations on your job offer! It's good that you're thinking ahead about what it will be like to work in a new environment with new people. Since a bad boss is a top reason people end up leaving jobs, it's important that you be able to meet with your future superior. This is an uncommon situation, which means it probably deserves some investigation.

Find out why you haven't met your boss yet. Since you had to be interviewed to get the job, ask your interviewer or human resources contact why your boss wasn't there as well. If your boss was out of town or otherwise indisposed, ask when you can meet him or her. If answers are vague, try to figure out why.

Remember that people are important. For the most part, a company is just a company, but the people you work with and for will be the thing that will make or break your experience there.

Think back to your interview. It may not be necessary to meet your coworkers. You probably walked by some of them if you had your interview in the office. Think back about how they seemed--were they happy or wilting at their desks? Did anyone greet or acknowledge you? Were workspaces relatively clean and organized, or was the office in disarray? These are the little clues that can tell you if your potential coworkers are happy at work (and if you will be as well).

Don't be afraid to insist on a meeting. Your boss is a key factor in your new position. This is the person who will give you assignments and advice and, don't forget, review your job performance. It's important that you meet this person to see if you get along and make sure it's someone you could work for. Especially if it seems like the company is hiding them, it's vital that you make sure there's not a hidden reason (such as seriously lacking social skills or basic manners).

Go with your gut. If something seems out of place to you and a requested meeting is denied, listen to your instincts. If something doesn't seem right or above board, it probably isn't. Requesting a meeting with a future boss or coworkers isn't out of bounds, but refusing to let you meet them is. If things just don't feel right, don't be afraid to walk away.

I hope you get to meet your boss and coworkers and that you all hit it off. However, if that doesn't happen, it's generally better to wait until another opportunity comes along than to get stuck in a bad situation.

Best of luck,

Seymour