As a 1st or 2nd generation immigrant, you're already striving to break free from survival jobs and step into roles where you can thrive. The right leader can make all the difference in your journey, providing guidance, support, and the opportunities you need to succeed. But the wrong leader? They can hold you back and drain your motivation.

At AdnohrDocs, we believe it’s essential to ask the right questions during your interview to uncover leadership styles that might impact your progress. Here are 10 essential interview questions and what their answers can reveal about your future boss.

1. How does your team handle busy periods or tight deadlines?

This question helps you understand how a leader manages workload and work-life balance. If their answer focuses on constant pressure, long hours, and high demands without considering employee well-being, you may be dealing with a demanding leader who doesn’t value your time outside of work.

What This Reveals:

If they emphasize long hours and relentless deadlines, they likely don’t prioritize work-life balance. For those balancing family and professional growth, this could be a major red flag.

2. How do you like to give feedback?

Feedback is critical for professional growth. Ask this to understand if your potential boss offers constructive, supportive feedback or if they lean toward criticism without much guidance for improvement.

What This Reveals:

If their answer focuses solely on criticism or being overly tough, you might be dealing with someone who struggles to provide empowering feedback. Constructive, balanced feedback is essential for long-term career success.

3. How do you delegate tasks to your team?

This question uncovers how much trust the leader places in their team. A good leader provides guidance but trusts their team to execute independently. A micromanager, on the other hand, controls every detail, which can stifle your creativity and professional autonomy.

What This Reveals:

If they describe being heavily involved in every task or needing to control every aspect of the work, it’s a sign they may micromanage, leaving you little room to grow and show initiative.

4. What recent accomplishments are you most proud of?

A leader who values their team will highlight team successes. This question helps you gauge whether they recognize the contributions of others or take credit for everything themselves.

What This Reveals:

If their answer focuses only on their personal achievements, you may be dealing with an arrogant leader who doesn’t give credit where it’s due. You want a boss who celebrates your wins.

5. What opportunities are there for learning and development?

Growth is key to moving beyond survival jobs and into professional success. This question can reveal if the leader invests in the professional development of their team. Without opportunities to grow, you could end up feeling stagnant.

What This Reveals:

If they struggle to answer or provide vague responses, it’s a sign that growth and development aren’t high on their priority list. A great leader will actively support your learning and career progression.

6. How do you keep your team informed about important updates or changes?

Communication is crucial to staying on track and avoiding confusion. This question reveals how proactive and organized the leader is in keeping the team informed.

What This Reveals:

If they’re vague about how they communicate or only mention occasional updates, it could indicate poor communication skills. A boss who struggles with communication can create confusion and frustration in your day-to-day work.

7. What is your vision for the team over the next few years?

Having a clear vision helps you align your own goals with the team’s objectives. This question will help you see if the leader has a roadmap for the future and how your role fits into it.

What This Reveals:

If they can’t articulate a clear vision for the future, it could mean they lack direction, which may leave you feeling lost in your role. A strong leader will always have a sense of where the team is headed and how you can contribute to that vision.

8. How do you handle disagreements or conflicts within the team?

Conflict is a normal part of any work environment, but how a leader handles it speaks volumes about their management style. Ask this to gauge how they approach problem-solving and maintaining a healthy team dynamic.

What This Reveals:

If they avoid addressing conflict or seem unwilling to have tough conversations, you could end up in a toxic work environment where problems are never resolved.

9. How long has your current team been in place?

High turnover is often a sign of a larger issue, such as poor leadership or unrealistic expectations. This question helps you understand the stability of the team and the environment you’ll be entering.

What This Reveals:

If they mention frequent turnover, it could indicate deeper issues with the work culture, leadership style, or team dynamics. Stability within a team is a sign of strong leadership.

10. How would your team describe your leadership style?

A leader who is self-aware will be able to talk openly about their strengths and areas they’re working to improve. This question helps you see how reflective and humble they are.

What This Reveals:

• If they seem overly defensive or self-assured, it may indicate that they’re not open to feedback or growth. A confident yet humble leader is key to building a healthy, empowering work environment.

Why It’s Important to Ask These Questions:

Your boss can significantly influence your career trajectory. As a 1st or 2nd generation immigrant, you’re aiming to break free from survival jobs and step into roles where you can grow, thrive, and contribute. Asking the right interview questions helps ensure that you’re aligning with a leader who will support your professional development and recognize the unique strengths you bring to the workplace.

At AdnohrDocs, we understand the challenges you face, and we’re here to help you navigate your career path with confidence. By asking these thoughtful questions during your interview process, you can uncover potential challenges and make empowered decisions about your next career move.

Ready to Prepare for Success?

Let us help you craft a winning interview strategy. Our 4-session Interview Prep Package will equip you with the skills and confidence to ask the right questions and present yourself in the best light. Book your consultation now and take the next step toward landing the career you deserve.

References

Here are the sources that provide further insight into the topics discussed in this post:

• FlexJobs Survey: FlexJobs survey on toxic bosses and their effects on employee mental health and productivity. FlexJobs

• The Workforce Institute Study: Study revealing that 69% of employees say their boss has more impact on their mental health than their doctor or therapist. The Workforce Institute

• Tracy Brower, PhD: Insight into leadership challenges, including how to spot bad bosses during interviews. Tracy Brower on LinkedIn

• Indeed Career Guide: Interview questions to ask to uncover leadership styles, including how to identify toxic leadership. Indeed Career Guide

• The Muse: Advice on what questions to ask during job interviews to avoid challenging leadership styles and find the right fit. The Muse

• Harvard Business Review: Studies on leadership effectiveness, including how poor communication and micromanagement can negatively impact team dynamics. Harvard Business Review

• BambooHR Blog: Information on identifying high turnover teams and what this reveals about leadership and company culture. BambooHR

• Vault - Toxic Workplace Signs: Identifying toxic work environments and signs of high employee turnover. Vault

• GoToro - Employee Turnover: Warning signs of employee turnover and its impact on workplace culture. GoToro

• FirstUp Blog: Causes and impact of high employee turnover and leadership's role in creating stable teams. FirstUp