The Interview With The Boss And The Boss’s Boss

This one has been wandering in my thoughts for quite some time.  I am guessing this is going to be low on the entertainment meter and high on the enlightening one.  I think a troublesome interview can include a meeting with the boss and the boss’s boss. 

Let’s establish what we mean here.  You are going in to an interview and you are scheduled to interview with your prospective new boss and that individual’s boss as well.  Yes, you may interview with others but I just want to isolate on these two people.

This can be a tricky one and I am going to attribute this primarily to the more than likely insecurity of the boss.  This does not matter what level you find yourself in the organizational chart of life – people are insecure – some you see over time, some you don’t get close enough to see but it is there -most of the time.

This has a simple solution.  If you interview with the Boss first, no problem – you are golden.  Make sure you tell the BB in this case – how well the interview went with the B – prop up the B.  If, however, you interview with the Boss’s Boss first and then with the Boss – here is the common mistake we make.  Let’s say you, in your mind, knock it out of the park with the BB – DO NOT MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS WHEN TALKING WITH THE BOSS.  We just do not know how the B will interpret – is that cool with him/her or are you now a threat to the B?  Does your new found chemistry with the BB threaten the B because he does not have that level of rapport with his own boss – and he has been working for him for 2 years.

My thought is – Hopefully you are never perceived as a negative threat to your new boss but more as one who strives to get your boss promoted- this never hurt anyone – but don’t put yourself in the position of not getting an offer because you are perceived as a THREAT now.

OK – I know it is a departure from my typical rant, colorful, overzealous pontification but I hope this helps you manage the interview process just a little bit better and helps you THINK prior to your next interview that includes the Boss and the Boss’s Boss.