Episode Transcript
As you prepare for your job interview, you’re concentrating on what questions you’ll be asked. And how to answer them.
You’re focused on what the interviewer wants to know about you.
Your preparation goes into what you’re gonna say. And how you’re gonna say it.
You want your background and experience to come across in the very best way.
But you not only want to work where you can use your engineering skills and strengths.
You also want to be in a place where you can grow.
Where you can feel like you belong. Where you have opportunities and get support.
Where you’ll be inspired and make great connections.
In other words,
The work environment and culture are just as important as the engineering work you’ll be doing in this new job.
And the questions that you have in the interviewing process are just as important as the interviewer’s questions.
You wanna get information back about what it’s like to work in this place. To find out if it’s the place for you.
Sizing Up the Workplace During Your Engineering Job Interview
This is your secret mission for the job interview.
While presenting all the evidence to convince the employer that you’re the best candidate, you’re also sleuthing for evidence to convince yourself that this is a great place for you to work.
And the evidence should support your future needs as an employee.
As a new employee you want to feel welcome, listened to and included. You want to feel comfortable being yourself.
You want to know that your ideas will be heard and your efforts will be recognized.
You want to feel you’re valued and assumed to have potential. And believe that you’ll get the opportunities you deserve.
Hopefully, as you’re interviewing for the job, you’ll see evidence of this kind of good working environment.
Find Evidence that This Engineering Job Has the Right Support for You
So how do you know if a potential workplace has the culture you want?
How do you know if it has a good working environment?
Well it’s hard to fully know 100% until you’re actually working there.
But there are some things you can do during your interview to get some clues.
For example,
- Listen to the things the interviewer says about the workplace. Notice what kind of positive aspects are mentioned.
- Prepare questions for the interview that dive deeper into what it’s like to work there. I’ll share some sample questions shortly.
- You should have the chance to talk to others who work in the area you’re interviewing for.
BTW, if you’re not given that chance, that’s a red flag. But assuming you are, ask what the work climate is like.
If people love working there, you’ll be able to detect that.
- Also notice what the space looks like (if you’re there in person) and what the vibe feels like.
Tune into that. Use your intuition and trust your instincts.
How to Ask the Interviewer Direct Questions About the Work Environment
The most direct way to get the scoop on the work environment is to ask the interviewer directly.
Whether or not you get the information you’re looking for, you’ll learn a lot by how the interviewer answers each question.
If they don’t know the answer or hesitate to answer, you might conclude that it’s not one of the employer’s strong points.
In any case this is good input for your decision, should you be given an offer.
Here are some example questions you can ask (You’ll come up with some of your own as well):
- What kind of employee support programs do you have? (like resource or affinity groups?)
- How satisfied are your employees with their jobs? How do you know?
- What policies do you have that help with life balance? (like flexible work hours and leave?)
- What kind of opportunities for growth and advancement could I expect, and in what time frame?
- How do you recognize your employees?
- What kind of mentorship and coaching programs do you have?
These are all questions that get to what the work environment is like.
Work Environment is a Key Factor in Your Engineering Job Offer Decision
The most common reason women give for leaving their engineering careers is the work climate. So it’s important to be discerning during your job searches.
I’m happy to help you in your search and in preparing for discussions with potential employers.
You can sign up for a strategy session with me here.
This is a key decision point in your career, and I’d love to help you accomplish it with ease and confidence.
Those employers wishing to increase diversity for more innovation and optimal business outcomes are paying closer attention to the culture of their workplaces.
The best engineering workplaces provide the kind of environment that you need.
So I invite you to be intentional about looking for that environment.
Be inquisitive. Ask direct questions. And trust how you feel about the place.
And don’t forget to do your share of the scrutiny during the interview process.
To ensure that, not only this job, but the work environment that goes with it is gonna be right for you.
Next time on Her Engineering Career Podcast we’ll explore energy, vision and alignment and how they help stretch you into your next engineering or leadership role.
You won’t want to miss Episode 139.
