EDITOR’S NOTE: Who ever heard of a great boss” Aren’t the two words an oxymoron, like jumbo shrimp or working holiday” Not necessarily, if you learn how to pick one. 
Last month savvy employee Beth Cowan gave us the skinny on what makes her boss so boss. This month she exposes just how she recognized the potential for such a satisfying working relationship before she committed to the job. And all without digging out her tarot cards, Ouija board, or Magic 8-Ball.
Face Book
When interviewing for this position I brought my resume and portfolio. So did he. He wanted to make sure that I knew the type of work they did, their style of architecture, and the size of their projects, because there was little point in interviewing me if I wasn’t ultimately going to be interested. We flipped through the office portfolio and talked a little about each project, and stopped to speak at length on a few I was intrigued by. He showed me his favorite projects and talked about the process of getting them built. That was my first good sign.
He looked through my entire portfolio and asked a few questions. He then went back to a few projects and wanted to discuss them at length. So many interviews are simply about CAD skills, lowest acceptable pay, and “when can you start””, while looking over the portfolio is really just a formality, like offering coffee. Here was one interviewer who was actually looking to see what I had to offer him in terms of design, presentation, and talent.
My portfolio was the most crucial part of the interview for him because he was looking for a designer who matched his design ethos. Additionally, I got to see which of my projects grabbed his interest and why they did, which told me how my design skills would fit into the office.
Question Marks
He asked me questions about my opinions on design and the industry. We talked for a bit about what I’d been doing since arriving in Ireland, my impressions of the field here, and the differences between working in the U.S. and Ireland. He listened to what I had to say because he was looking for a fit, not a trained monkey.
He respects the opinion of his employees and wants to know, before he hires anyone, how they will behave as a member of his staff, what type of attitude they will take. He has spent years building this firm from a very small gene pool, and one bad employee can do a lot of damage. He is very careful who he hires.
I asked questions about his current employees, and he answered them at length, generously and enthusiastically. I wanted to know how long they’d been with him, what sort of mix of nationalities, and how the studio was structured in terms of hierarchy. We discussed each point at length, and he was sad that I wouldn’t get to meet anyone and ask them questions. I got the distinct impression that he really liked his staff. I’ve since found out I was right.
Let Go Of Your Ego
While discussing design, he never once pontificated, scoffed, or made derogatory remarks about other architects. He did express concern about the lack of skill in designing façades in Dublin recently (something with which I heartily agree), but never once did I get the impression he felt superior to others. Unlike many architects, his ego has little to do with his business, and he is acutely aware that he is not the only competent architect in Dublin.
He stayed after hours to meet me, and not once during the hour and fifteen-minute interview did I feel he was in a rush to leave. In my early years I had one interview that lasted 15 minutes. That potential boss didn’t ask me a single question, barely glanced at my portfolio; it was simply 15 minutes of this guy talking nonstop about himself and then offering me a position as long as I decided right then. When I asked to think about it, he grudgingly agreed and then threw me out of the conference room because he had another meeting scheduled. If he couldn’t be bothered to treat me decently while interviewing me, how would he have treated me after I worked for him” I didn’t want to find out.
Match Point
I asked about the job I’d be doing for him and how we’d bring me up to speed on the Irish building process. He wasn’t in the least put off by the idea that I have several years of experience and would be leading jobs without understanding the process 100%. Because it’s a small office, at least half the staff would be able to handle any question I put to them. Then we discussed if I’d feel more comfortable with a small project of my own or in assisting someone else on their project for a few months.
He also suggested we enroll me in some continuing education courses, which we’ve done. It was very important to him that he understand what I’m comfortable with and what I’m interested in to discern if what he has to offer is a match. He explained some of the jobs that were coming up, asking if I’d be interested in any of them. Several were new project types for me, and he wanted to see if I had any interest in them. And then he took one away, saying it was too boring.
Closure And Disclosure
What impressed me most in the interview was his general attitude. It was less interview and more coffee with a friend. I loved that he was proudest of the return clientele. He actually discussed topics instead of giving the briefest answer possible and moving to the next item. He was as forthcoming about his firm as he expected me to be, and I felt that would bode well. It does. He’s a great person to work for, and in choosing to work with him, I’m not only contributing but helping build a great firm. What could be more satisfying than that”
