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Is it alright to ask why I was hired over the other candidates? [closed]
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25
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Something I've always wondered:
As a recent hire, is it okay for me to ask why I was chosen above the other candidates?
interviewing hiring-process new-job new-hires
asked Jun 15 '13 at 9:07
Steven
484158
closed as not constructive by Jim G., ChrisF, jcmeloni, Michael Grubey, IDrinkandIKnowThings Jun 17 '13 at 12:50
As it currently stands, this question is not a good fit for our Q&A format. We expect answers to be supported by facts, references, or expertise, but this question will likely solicit debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. If you feel that this question can be improved and possibly reopened, visit the help center for guidance. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
add a comment |Â
up vote
25
down vote
favorite
Something I've always wondered:
As a recent hire, is it okay for me to ask why I was chosen above the other candidates?
interviewing hiring-process new-job new-hires
asked Jun 15 '13 at 9:07
Steven
484158
closed as not constructive by Jim G., ChrisF, jcmeloni, Michael Grubey, IDrinkandIKnowThings Jun 17 '13 at 12:50
As it currently stands, this question is not a good fit for our Q&A format. We expect answers to be supported by facts, references, or expertise, but this question will likely solicit debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. If you feel that this question can be improved and possibly reopened, visit the help center for guidance. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
2
Why do you want to know, curiosity, insecurity?
– Paul Hiemstra
Jun 15 '13 at 12:10
3
Curiosity and I'd like to know what I did right so I can use that knowledge for future interviews.
– Steven
Jun 15 '13 at 12:20
comments removed: Comments are intended to help improve a post or seek clarification. Please don't answer the questions in the comments. These can't be easily voted on as the best answers, and they may inadvertently prevent other users from providing real answers. Please see How should I post a useful non-answer if it shouldn't be a comment? for more guidance.
– jmort253♦
Jun 19 '13 at 2:37
2
You just got a job and want to drop hints that you want tips for getting another one?
– JohnFx
Jun 29 '13 at 3:19
add a comment |Â
up vote
25
down vote
favorite
up vote
25
down vote
favorite
Something I've always wondered:
As a recent hire, is it okay for me to ask why I was chosen above the other candidates?
interviewing hiring-process new-job new-hires
asked Jun 15 '13 at 9:07
Steven
484158
Something I've always wondered:
As a recent hire, is it okay for me to ask why I was chosen above the other candidates?
interviewing hiring-process new-job new-hires
asked Jun 15 '13 at 9:07
Steven
484158
asked Jun 15 '13 at 9:07
Steven
484158
asked Jun 15 '13 at 9:07
Steven
484158
asked Jun 15 '13 at 9:07
Steven
484158
484158
closed as not constructive by Jim G., ChrisF, jcmeloni, Michael Grubey, IDrinkandIKnowThings Jun 17 '13 at 12:50
As it currently stands, this question is not a good fit for our Q&A format. We expect answers to be supported by facts, references, or expertise, but this question will likely solicit debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. If you feel that this question can be improved and possibly reopened, visit the help center for guidance. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
closed as not constructive by Jim G., ChrisF, jcmeloni, Michael Grubey, IDrinkandIKnowThings Jun 17 '13 at 12:50
As it currently stands, this question is not a good fit for our Q&A format. We expect answers to be supported by facts, references, or expertise, but this question will likely solicit debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. If you feel that this question can be improved and possibly reopened, visit the help center for guidance. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
2
Why do you want to know, curiosity, insecurity?
– Paul Hiemstra
Jun 15 '13 at 12:10
3
Curiosity and I'd like to know what I did right so I can use that knowledge for future interviews.
– Steven
Jun 15 '13 at 12:20
comments removed: Comments are intended to help improve a post or seek clarification. Please don't answer the questions in the comments. These can't be easily voted on as the best answers, and they may inadvertently prevent other users from providing real answers. Please see How should I post a useful non-answer if it shouldn't be a comment? for more guidance.
– jmort253♦
Jun 19 '13 at 2:37
2
You just got a job and want to drop hints that you want tips for getting another one?
– JohnFx
Jun 29 '13 at 3:19
add a comment |Â
2
Why do you want to know, curiosity, insecurity?
– Paul Hiemstra
Jun 15 '13 at 12:10
3
Curiosity and I'd like to know what I did right so I can use that knowledge for future interviews.
– Steven
Jun 15 '13 at 12:20
comments removed: Comments are intended to help improve a post or seek clarification. Please don't answer the questions in the comments. These can't be easily voted on as the best answers, and they may inadvertently prevent other users from providing real answers. Please see How should I post a useful non-answer if it shouldn't be a comment? for more guidance.
– jmort253♦
Jun 19 '13 at 2:37
2
You just got a job and want to drop hints that you want tips for getting another one?
– JohnFx
Jun 29 '13 at 3:19
2
2
Why do you want to know, curiosity, insecurity?
– Paul Hiemstra
Jun 15 '13 at 12:10
Why do you want to know, curiosity, insecurity?
– Paul Hiemstra
Jun 15 '13 at 12:10
3
3
Curiosity and I'd like to know what I did right so I can use that knowledge for future interviews.
– Steven
Jun 15 '13 at 12:20
Curiosity and I'd like to know what I did right so I can use that knowledge for future interviews.
– Steven
Jun 15 '13 at 12:20
comments removed: Comments are intended to help improve a post or seek clarification. Please don't answer the questions in the comments. These can't be easily voted on as the best answers, and they may inadvertently prevent other users from providing real answers. Please see How should I post a useful non-answer if it shouldn't be a comment? for more guidance.
– jmort253♦
Jun 19 '13 at 2:37
comments removed: Comments are intended to help improve a post or seek clarification. Please don't answer the questions in the comments. These can't be easily voted on as the best answers, and they may inadvertently prevent other users from providing real answers. Please see How should I post a useful non-answer if it shouldn't be a comment? for more guidance.
– jmort253♦
Jun 19 '13 at 2:37
2
2
You just got a job and want to drop hints that you want tips for getting another one?
– JohnFx
Jun 29 '13 at 3:19
You just got a job and want to drop hints that you want tips for getting another one?
– JohnFx
Jun 29 '13 at 3:19
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
28
down vote
You can, but you probably shouldn't.
People might not want to discuss this and you might not want to know the answer.
Answers that you might not want to hear include:
- You were the cheapest candidate that met all our needs.
- Our first choice declined our offer. You were our second choice.
answered Jun 15 '13 at 12:14
Jim G.
11.8k105373
4
I totally agree with this. Recently we have to give an offer to our second choice as the first choice declined the offer. However, our second choice is doing excellent work and we are very happy about it. Anyway, the important thing is that how do you perform once you get the position.
– samarasa
Jun 15 '13 at 14:20
6
@Chad: Huh? If you asked for 'X' dollars, and that happened to be cheaper than what your competitors were asking for then how did you fail? If the company's first choice declined the offer, but you accepted then how did you fail?
– Jim G.
Jun 15 '13 at 15:27
4
@JimG.: For some people, it might hurt their self-esteem to know that they were not really the candidate that the employer wanted (at least not initially), they were the candidate that was cheap/available. I think more people feel this kind of distress in romantic relationships, such as "I'm only dating you because Bob is busy tonight" implies "I like you, but not as much as Bob, Fred, etc...". I suppose those feelings/reactions would be valid in the workplace as well. How much of an impact these answers could have might depend on how big the differences were.
– FrustratedWithFormsDesigner
Jun 17 '13 at 15:08
1
@FrustratedWithFormsDesigner: Great point. I completely agree.
– Jim G.
Jun 17 '13 at 15:32
1
Huh? I would love to be informed I should ask for more money.
– user1084
Jul 14 '14 at 21:14
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
5
down vote
I would not ask this on the first day on the job. Just accept that you have the job, and focus your energy on getting up-to-speed in your new job. After a few months, after getting to know your colleagues, you could approach someone in the group of people involved in hiring you, and ask them what the considerations where for hiring you and not someone else.
answered Jun 15 '13 at 12:10
Paul Hiemstra
3,8451621
5
Since the OP has already been on the job for a year, how does this help?
– Amy Blankenship
Jun 15 '13 at 17:23
add a comment |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
"There are ways of getting people to talk". Sometimes, however, what you learn may not be something you want to know.
The presumption is that you are the most qualified for the job. If your boss has some kind of prejudice, however, you may find out you were hired on a different axis of consideration. These may not be 'the usual suspects' of race and gender. If, for example, a C-Level executive had to fire 3 MBA teams in a row (s)he may avoid hiring a fourth team of MBAs. If the last three people your boss hired were fresh out of the military and they're all still there, (s)he might conclude this is a safe bet.
The questions to ask aren't 'why did you hire me instead of (x)?'. Is your programming team all wearing blue jeans and sneakers with holes in them? Would a 'suit' be compatible in this group? Does your boss avoid certain areas of town because (s)he 'doesn't feel safe' there? Some organizations pay lip service to longevity, others really care, and try to figure out if they can't pay enough to keep more qualified applicants happy.
I worked for one company where the previous person in my role would only work after everyone else went home. About a week after I started in this job, my boss told me we already had more computers than we needed. In short, I figured out right away he considered the IT people to be a power center in competition with his. This would explain the inclination of the previous employee to stay out of the way, and at some point the atmosphere deteriorated and I moved on.
answered Jun 16 '13 at 3:08
Meredith Poor
8,8661730
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
28
down vote
You can, but you probably shouldn't.
People might not want to discuss this and you might not want to know the answer.
Answers that you might not want to hear include:
- You were the cheapest candidate that met all our needs.
- Our first choice declined our offer. You were our second choice.
answered Jun 15 '13 at 12:14
Jim G.
11.8k105373
4
I totally agree with this. Recently we have to give an offer to our second choice as the first choice declined the offer. However, our second choice is doing excellent work and we are very happy about it. Anyway, the important thing is that how do you perform once you get the position.
– samarasa
Jun 15 '13 at 14:20
6
@Chad: Huh? If you asked for 'X' dollars, and that happened to be cheaper than what your competitors were asking for then how did you fail? If the company's first choice declined the offer, but you accepted then how did you fail?
– Jim G.
Jun 15 '13 at 15:27
4
@JimG.: For some people, it might hurt their self-esteem to know that they were not really the candidate that the employer wanted (at least not initially), they were the candidate that was cheap/available. I think more people feel this kind of distress in romantic relationships, such as "I'm only dating you because Bob is busy tonight" implies "I like you, but not as much as Bob, Fred, etc...". I suppose those feelings/reactions would be valid in the workplace as well. How much of an impact these answers could have might depend on how big the differences were.
– FrustratedWithFormsDesigner
Jun 17 '13 at 15:08
1
@FrustratedWithFormsDesigner: Great point. I completely agree.
– Jim G.
Jun 17 '13 at 15:32
1
Huh? I would love to be informed I should ask for more money.
– user1084
Jul 14 '14 at 21:14
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
28
down vote
You can, but you probably shouldn't.
People might not want to discuss this and you might not want to know the answer.
Answers that you might not want to hear include:
- You were the cheapest candidate that met all our needs.
- Our first choice declined our offer. You were our second choice.
answered Jun 15 '13 at 12:14
Jim G.
11.8k105373
4
I totally agree with this. Recently we have to give an offer to our second choice as the first choice declined the offer. However, our second choice is doing excellent work and we are very happy about it. Anyway, the important thing is that how do you perform once you get the position.
– samarasa
Jun 15 '13 at 14:20
6
@Chad: Huh? If you asked for 'X' dollars, and that happened to be cheaper than what your competitors were asking for then how did you fail? If the company's first choice declined the offer, but you accepted then how did you fail?
– Jim G.
Jun 15 '13 at 15:27
4
@JimG.: For some people, it might hurt their self-esteem to know that they were not really the candidate that the employer wanted (at least not initially), they were the candidate that was cheap/available. I think more people feel this kind of distress in romantic relationships, such as "I'm only dating you because Bob is busy tonight" implies "I like you, but not as much as Bob, Fred, etc...". I suppose those feelings/reactions would be valid in the workplace as well. How much of an impact these answers could have might depend on how big the differences were.
– FrustratedWithFormsDesigner
Jun 17 '13 at 15:08
1
@FrustratedWithFormsDesigner: Great point. I completely agree.
– Jim G.
Jun 17 '13 at 15:32
1
Huh? I would love to be informed I should ask for more money.
– user1084
Jul 14 '14 at 21:14
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
28
down vote
up vote
28
down vote
You can, but you probably shouldn't.
People might not want to discuss this and you might not want to know the answer.
Answers that you might not want to hear include:
- You were the cheapest candidate that met all our needs.
- Our first choice declined our offer. You were our second choice.
answered Jun 15 '13 at 12:14
Jim G.
11.8k105373
You can, but you probably shouldn't.
People might not want to discuss this and you might not want to know the answer.
Answers that you might not want to hear include:
- You were the cheapest candidate that met all our needs.
- Our first choice declined our offer. You were our second choice.
answered Jun 15 '13 at 12:14
Jim G.
11.8k105373
edited Jun 15 '13 at 14:55
answered Jun 15 '13 at 12:14
Jim G.
11.8k105373
answered Jun 15 '13 at 12:14
Jim G.
11.8k105373
answered Jun 15 '13 at 12:14
Jim G.
11.8k105373
11.8k105373
4
I totally agree with this. Recently we have to give an offer to our second choice as the first choice declined the offer. However, our second choice is doing excellent work and we are very happy about it. Anyway, the important thing is that how do you perform once you get the position.
– samarasa
Jun 15 '13 at 14:20
6
@Chad: Huh? If you asked for 'X' dollars, and that happened to be cheaper than what your competitors were asking for then how did you fail? If the company's first choice declined the offer, but you accepted then how did you fail?
– Jim G.
Jun 15 '13 at 15:27
4
@JimG.: For some people, it might hurt their self-esteem to know that they were not really the candidate that the employer wanted (at least not initially), they were the candidate that was cheap/available. I think more people feel this kind of distress in romantic relationships, such as "I'm only dating you because Bob is busy tonight" implies "I like you, but not as much as Bob, Fred, etc...". I suppose those feelings/reactions would be valid in the workplace as well. How much of an impact these answers could have might depend on how big the differences were.
– FrustratedWithFormsDesigner
Jun 17 '13 at 15:08
1
@FrustratedWithFormsDesigner: Great point. I completely agree.
– Jim G.
Jun 17 '13 at 15:32
1
Huh? I would love to be informed I should ask for more money.
– user1084
Jul 14 '14 at 21:14
 |Â
show 1 more comment
4
I totally agree with this. Recently we have to give an offer to our second choice as the first choice declined the offer. However, our second choice is doing excellent work and we are very happy about it. Anyway, the important thing is that how do you perform once you get the position.
– samarasa
Jun 15 '13 at 14:20
6
@Chad: Huh? If you asked for 'X' dollars, and that happened to be cheaper than what your competitors were asking for then how did you fail? If the company's first choice declined the offer, but you accepted then how did you fail?
– Jim G.
Jun 15 '13 at 15:27
4
@JimG.: For some people, it might hurt their self-esteem to know that they were not really the candidate that the employer wanted (at least not initially), they were the candidate that was cheap/available. I think more people feel this kind of distress in romantic relationships, such as "I'm only dating you because Bob is busy tonight" implies "I like you, but not as much as Bob, Fred, etc...". I suppose those feelings/reactions would be valid in the workplace as well. How much of an impact these answers could have might depend on how big the differences were.
– FrustratedWithFormsDesigner
Jun 17 '13 at 15:08
1
@FrustratedWithFormsDesigner: Great point. I completely agree.
– Jim G.
Jun 17 '13 at 15:32
1
Huh? I would love to be informed I should ask for more money.
– user1084
Jul 14 '14 at 21:14
4
4
I totally agree with this. Recently we have to give an offer to our second choice as the first choice declined the offer. However, our second choice is doing excellent work and we are very happy about it. Anyway, the important thing is that how do you perform once you get the position.
– samarasa
Jun 15 '13 at 14:20
I totally agree with this. Recently we have to give an offer to our second choice as the first choice declined the offer. However, our second choice is doing excellent work and we are very happy about it. Anyway, the important thing is that how do you perform once you get the position.
– samarasa
Jun 15 '13 at 14:20
6
6
@Chad: Huh? If you asked for 'X' dollars, and that happened to be cheaper than what your competitors were asking for then how did you fail? If the company's first choice declined the offer, but you accepted then how did you fail?
– Jim G.
Jun 15 '13 at 15:27
@Chad: Huh? If you asked for 'X' dollars, and that happened to be cheaper than what your competitors were asking for then how did you fail? If the company's first choice declined the offer, but you accepted then how did you fail?
– Jim G.
Jun 15 '13 at 15:27
4
4
@JimG.: For some people, it might hurt their self-esteem to know that they were not really the candidate that the employer wanted (at least not initially), they were the candidate that was cheap/available. I think more people feel this kind of distress in romantic relationships, such as "I'm only dating you because Bob is busy tonight" implies "I like you, but not as much as Bob, Fred, etc...". I suppose those feelings/reactions would be valid in the workplace as well. How much of an impact these answers could have might depend on how big the differences were.
– FrustratedWithFormsDesigner
Jun 17 '13 at 15:08
@JimG.: For some people, it might hurt their self-esteem to know that they were not really the candidate that the employer wanted (at least not initially), they were the candidate that was cheap/available. I think more people feel this kind of distress in romantic relationships, such as "I'm only dating you because Bob is busy tonight" implies "I like you, but not as much as Bob, Fred, etc...". I suppose those feelings/reactions would be valid in the workplace as well. How much of an impact these answers could have might depend on how big the differences were.
– FrustratedWithFormsDesigner
Jun 17 '13 at 15:08
1
1
@FrustratedWithFormsDesigner: Great point. I completely agree.
– Jim G.
Jun 17 '13 at 15:32
@FrustratedWithFormsDesigner: Great point. I completely agree.
– Jim G.
Jun 17 '13 at 15:32
1
1
Huh? I would love to be informed I should ask for more money.
– user1084
Jul 14 '14 at 21:14
Huh? I would love to be informed I should ask for more money.
– user1084
Jul 14 '14 at 21:14
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
5
down vote
I would not ask this on the first day on the job. Just accept that you have the job, and focus your energy on getting up-to-speed in your new job. After a few months, after getting to know your colleagues, you could approach someone in the group of people involved in hiring you, and ask them what the considerations where for hiring you and not someone else.
answered Jun 15 '13 at 12:10
Paul Hiemstra
3,8451621
5
Since the OP has already been on the job for a year, how does this help?
– Amy Blankenship
Jun 15 '13 at 17:23
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
I would not ask this on the first day on the job. Just accept that you have the job, and focus your energy on getting up-to-speed in your new job. After a few months, after getting to know your colleagues, you could approach someone in the group of people involved in hiring you, and ask them what the considerations where for hiring you and not someone else.
answered Jun 15 '13 at 12:10
Paul Hiemstra
3,8451621
5
Since the OP has already been on the job for a year, how does this help?
– Amy Blankenship
Jun 15 '13 at 17:23
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
up vote
5
down vote
I would not ask this on the first day on the job. Just accept that you have the job, and focus your energy on getting up-to-speed in your new job. After a few months, after getting to know your colleagues, you could approach someone in the group of people involved in hiring you, and ask them what the considerations where for hiring you and not someone else.
answered Jun 15 '13 at 12:10
Paul Hiemstra
3,8451621
I would not ask this on the first day on the job. Just accept that you have the job, and focus your energy on getting up-to-speed in your new job. After a few months, after getting to know your colleagues, you could approach someone in the group of people involved in hiring you, and ask them what the considerations where for hiring you and not someone else.
answered Jun 15 '13 at 12:10
Paul Hiemstra
3,8451621
answered Jun 15 '13 at 12:10
Paul Hiemstra
3,8451621
answered Jun 15 '13 at 12:10
Paul Hiemstra
3,8451621
answered Jun 15 '13 at 12:10
Paul Hiemstra
3,8451621
3,8451621
5
Since the OP has already been on the job for a year, how does this help?
– Amy Blankenship
Jun 15 '13 at 17:23
add a comment |Â
5
Since the OP has already been on the job for a year, how does this help?
– Amy Blankenship
Jun 15 '13 at 17:23
5
5
Since the OP has already been on the job for a year, how does this help?
– Amy Blankenship
Jun 15 '13 at 17:23
Since the OP has already been on the job for a year, how does this help?
– Amy Blankenship
Jun 15 '13 at 17:23
add a comment |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
"There are ways of getting people to talk". Sometimes, however, what you learn may not be something you want to know.
The presumption is that you are the most qualified for the job. If your boss has some kind of prejudice, however, you may find out you were hired on a different axis of consideration. These may not be 'the usual suspects' of race and gender. If, for example, a C-Level executive had to fire 3 MBA teams in a row (s)he may avoid hiring a fourth team of MBAs. If the last three people your boss hired were fresh out of the military and they're all still there, (s)he might conclude this is a safe bet.
The questions to ask aren't 'why did you hire me instead of (x)?'. Is your programming team all wearing blue jeans and sneakers with holes in them? Would a 'suit' be compatible in this group? Does your boss avoid certain areas of town because (s)he 'doesn't feel safe' there? Some organizations pay lip service to longevity, others really care, and try to figure out if they can't pay enough to keep more qualified applicants happy.
I worked for one company where the previous person in my role would only work after everyone else went home. About a week after I started in this job, my boss told me we already had more computers than we needed. In short, I figured out right away he considered the IT people to be a power center in competition with his. This would explain the inclination of the previous employee to stay out of the way, and at some point the atmosphere deteriorated and I moved on.
answered Jun 16 '13 at 3:08
Meredith Poor
8,8661730
add a comment |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
"There are ways of getting people to talk". Sometimes, however, what you learn may not be something you want to know.
The presumption is that you are the most qualified for the job. If your boss has some kind of prejudice, however, you may find out you were hired on a different axis of consideration. These may not be 'the usual suspects' of race and gender. If, for example, a C-Level executive had to fire 3 MBA teams in a row (s)he may avoid hiring a fourth team of MBAs. If the last three people your boss hired were fresh out of the military and they're all still there, (s)he might conclude this is a safe bet.
The questions to ask aren't 'why did you hire me instead of (x)?'. Is your programming team all wearing blue jeans and sneakers with holes in them? Would a 'suit' be compatible in this group? Does your boss avoid certain areas of town because (s)he 'doesn't feel safe' there? Some organizations pay lip service to longevity, others really care, and try to figure out if they can't pay enough to keep more qualified applicants happy.
I worked for one company where the previous person in my role would only work after everyone else went home. About a week after I started in this job, my boss told me we already had more computers than we needed. In short, I figured out right away he considered the IT people to be a power center in competition with his. This would explain the inclination of the previous employee to stay out of the way, and at some point the atmosphere deteriorated and I moved on.
answered Jun 16 '13 at 3:08
Meredith Poor
8,8661730
add a comment |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
up vote
-1
down vote
"There are ways of getting people to talk". Sometimes, however, what you learn may not be something you want to know.
The presumption is that you are the most qualified for the job. If your boss has some kind of prejudice, however, you may find out you were hired on a different axis of consideration. These may not be 'the usual suspects' of race and gender. If, for example, a C-Level executive had to fire 3 MBA teams in a row (s)he may avoid hiring a fourth team of MBAs. If the last three people your boss hired were fresh out of the military and they're all still there, (s)he might conclude this is a safe bet.
The questions to ask aren't 'why did you hire me instead of (x)?'. Is your programming team all wearing blue jeans and sneakers with holes in them? Would a 'suit' be compatible in this group? Does your boss avoid certain areas of town because (s)he 'doesn't feel safe' there? Some organizations pay lip service to longevity, others really care, and try to figure out if they can't pay enough to keep more qualified applicants happy.
I worked for one company where the previous person in my role would only work after everyone else went home. About a week after I started in this job, my boss told me we already had more computers than we needed. In short, I figured out right away he considered the IT people to be a power center in competition with his. This would explain the inclination of the previous employee to stay out of the way, and at some point the atmosphere deteriorated and I moved on.
answered Jun 16 '13 at 3:08
Meredith Poor
8,8661730
"There are ways of getting people to talk". Sometimes, however, what you learn may not be something you want to know.
The presumption is that you are the most qualified for the job. If your boss has some kind of prejudice, however, you may find out you were hired on a different axis of consideration. These may not be 'the usual suspects' of race and gender. If, for example, a C-Level executive had to fire 3 MBA teams in a row (s)he may avoid hiring a fourth team of MBAs. If the last three people your boss hired were fresh out of the military and they're all still there, (s)he might conclude this is a safe bet.
The questions to ask aren't 'why did you hire me instead of (x)?'. Is your programming team all wearing blue jeans and sneakers with holes in them? Would a 'suit' be compatible in this group? Does your boss avoid certain areas of town because (s)he 'doesn't feel safe' there? Some organizations pay lip service to longevity, others really care, and try to figure out if they can't pay enough to keep more qualified applicants happy.
I worked for one company where the previous person in my role would only work after everyone else went home. About a week after I started in this job, my boss told me we already had more computers than we needed. In short, I figured out right away he considered the IT people to be a power center in competition with his. This would explain the inclination of the previous employee to stay out of the way, and at some point the atmosphere deteriorated and I moved on.
answered Jun 16 '13 at 3:08
Meredith Poor
8,8661730
edited Jun 18 '13 at 20:45
answered Jun 16 '13 at 3:08
Meredith Poor
8,8661730
answered Jun 16 '13 at 3:08
Meredith Poor
8,8661730
answered Jun 16 '13 at 3:08
Meredith Poor
8,8661730
8,8661730
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2
Why do you want to know, curiosity, insecurity?
– Paul Hiemstra
Jun 15 '13 at 12:10
3
Curiosity and I'd like to know what I did right so I can use that knowledge for future interviews.
– Steven
Jun 15 '13 at 12:20
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– jmort253♦
Jun 19 '13 at 2:37
2
You just got a job and want to drop hints that you want tips for getting another one?
– JohnFx
Jun 29 '13 at 3:19