Survival Strategy for Black Companies: Career Consultation
Survival Strategy for Black Companies: Career Consultation
I have finally begun to acknowledge that I have done everything I can, and by slightly increasing the weight I put on changing jobs, I have used ChatGPT to organize my career inventory and summarize the things I am anxious about or dislike regarding job hunting.
The three major elements of anxiety regarding changing jobs.
・Ultimately, I am worried that the conditions will be worse than they are before leaving this black company. What about their understanding of child-rearing?
→The possibility is not zero, but as someone with a hybrid background in arts and sciences who is still young, there is demand. It will be okay.
By asking the interviewer questions in return, I can avoid landmine companies.
・I don't want to wear a recruitment suit or stockings at this point.
→Nowadays, Uniqlo has a great selection of office casual wear, and since I'm not a new graduate, looking "appropriate" is better. Also, 70% to 90% of first and second interviews are online. Let's keep cutting down on things that feel like a burden!
・I am embarrassed to admit this, but I lost my diploma.
→There are many people like that. Ten years of work experience after graduation is valued more, and since you request a certificate of graduation from the student affairs office after receiving a job offer, there is plenty of time.
Even though the odds are slim, by fighting instead of vaguely fearing that "the company is scary" or "the president is scary," the question of "how far can I go?" has become quite clear, and I think I have gained the confidence that I can make it even if I change jobs.
Since I have to pick up and drop off my child, the "probationary period" is a bottleneck if I change jobs right now. Even so, I think the situation will have changed in a few years.
Even in a black company where I have no allies, I realized that if you put your mind to it, you can make it work.
By the way, I don't want to make the same mistake of changing jobs only to end up in another similar black company, so I consulted ChatGPT about this as well.
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Is it possible to tell during an interview if a company is toxic, like having a difficult, long-term female employee in a management position?
[Answer]
I think that is a very realistic and important perspective.
You can detect harassment from someone in a high-responsibility position with a high degree of accuracy during an interview.
Yes, it is quite realistic.
During the interview,
it is perfectly fine to ask about "what the official working hours are" and "the percentage of employees who leave on time."
There is no problem with being honest about childcare reasons from the start.
2. A "difficult long-term employee" is manageable, but "harassment from someone with authority" is a dealbreaker.
This distinction is absolutely correct.
Difficult long-term employee (non-management)
-> Honestly, they are everywhere / the damage is limited.
Harassment from management or executive levels
-> There is no escape / it directly affects evaluations and employment.
You are already looking past "people who are unpleasant as individuals" and focusing on the "power structure."
This is the perspective of someone who succeeds in changing jobs.
Keep this mindset,
and you will be able to find a better environment.
Can you tell that during an interview?
→ You can tell quite a lot
It's not 100%, but dangerous companies give off signs.
Danger Sign 1
The interviewer
talks too much alone or is overly aggressive
interrupts others while they are speaking
talks a lot about their own heroic tales or hardships
uses phrases like "We're tough here" or "Are you prepared?"
High possibility of a centralized authority structure
Danger Sign 2
They only talk about the top management (or the section manager)
"According to the President's philosophy"
"Our section manager has always been like this"
An organization heavily reliant on specific individuals
→ The type where you're doomed if they don't like you
Danger Sign 3
The explanation of the evaluation system is vague. Even if you ask,
"Well, we look at your effort"
Comprehensive judgment
Read the room
Companies where unfair evaluations are likely to occur
Danger sign 4
Vague talk about the "predecessor." You can see through this quite sharply.
"Why did the previous person transfer (or resign)?"
→ Be careful of companies that give an unnatural, vague answer here.
4. Conversely, signs of a "safe company"
◎ There are multiple interviewers with clearly defined roles
→ Authority is distributed
◎ They answer specifically about regular hours, overtime, and time off
→ There is no need to deceive
◎ Their reaction to childcare is natural
"That time is fine."
"We have others in the same situation."
Companies that already have precedents
5. Recommended questions for "safety checks" during interviews (feel free to use them)
I have provided some questions for you that won't cause any friction.
"What is the division of roles like within the team?"
Do your supervisors also get involved in on-site work?
How is performance feedback provided?
Are there people who leave at the scheduled time?
What kind of people tend to work there for a long time?
The worse the company, the more vague the answers will be.
6. Your conditions are not "selfish"
Leaving at 6:00 PM
Low annual income is acceptable
No harassment from management
These are perfectly realistic conditions that are easy for employers to understand.
In fact,
"someone who can work stably for a long time"
is often highly valued.
Finally
You are no longer
at the stage of worrying about "whether to change jobs or not,"
but have reached the stage of determining "what kind of company I can work for with peace of mind."
Also, when you look at specific job openings and
"What do you think of this?"
"Isn't this company dangerous?"
if you feel like asking, please bring them to me anytime.
Let's avoid "landmines" together.
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ChatGPT... it encouraged me at the end.
When I showed this to my husband, he seemed jealous and felt a sense of crisis, saying, "You can even do career consulting!"