It’s National Boss’s Day -- a holiday created 60 years ago to celebrate all the great managers in the workforce. Having a good boss is crucial to your success and happiness at work; and today, professionals throughout the U.S. will be taking a moment to recognize the support and encouragement they have received from those bosses and mentors who have influenced their careers.
But, what does this day mean for you if you’re looking for a new job? A new boss is a key factor during the job hunt -- in fact, the majority of professionals say it’s essential they like the person they’d be reporting to when accepting a new job, and two-thirds would even turn down a job offer if they didn’t believe they could respect their new boss.
Yet, people aren’t doing their homework when searching for new opportunities: hiring managers say most professionals never ask about the management style of the person they’d be reporting to, and only a handful of candidates research the background of their manager before the interview.
With millions of jobs on LinkedIn, you’re bound to find a job, and boss, that’s right for you. Here are some tips on finding a manager you’ll want to celebrate:
Work your network. Your professional community is one of your greatest assets when it comes to finding a new job, so leverage it to ask about your prospective new manager! Not only can a common connection provide insights about a potential new boss or company, they can also help you land the job: more than 70% of professionals get hired at companies where they have a personal “in.”
Do your research. Information is one of the most powerful tools you have when it comes to determining if a boss -- or job -- is right for you. Ask to meet with another employee managed by your prospective new manager during the interview process -- something hiring managers say almost no candidates are doing. Think of the interview process as a two-way street, and don’t be afraid to ask to speak with your prospective co-workers to get a real feel for management.
Define your work style. We’re not talking about fashion, but rather what type of work environment helps you thrive. Do you need constant guidance or does micromanaging drive you crazy? Do you rise under pressure or need more nurturing to make your mark? The top five skills professionals want most from a manager are problem solving, time management, decisiveness, empathy and compassion. Spending some time thinking about what you’re looking for in a boss will help you understand how your work styles will mesh.
Already a manager? Be an inspiring leader your team wants to work with, tapping into the qualities that matter to professionals. LinkedIn Learning offers thousands of management courses like problem solving, time management, empathy and compassionate directness. And, if you’re looking for a way to further connect with your direct reports, you can add them on LinkedIn’s new Teammates product to stay on top of their activity on LinkedIn and to join the conversation.
Celebrating a great boss today? Tell us about a manager who’s impacted you and tag them on social with the hashtag #NationalBossDay.
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Methodology: The survey was conducted online for LinkedIn by Censuswide from August 30 - September 6, 2019, amongst more than 2,000 working professionals ages 18-74 and 1,000 hiring managers across the U.S.