Ask About Your Work Space Before Accepting The Job
Something that is not discussed often enough in the interview process is the physical environment the prospective employee will be housed. The majority of people make decisions about the environment around them in every aspect of their lives, except at work. Think about it, if you did not like the ambience of a restaurant then you probably won’t go back. If you did not like the look and feel of a house, then you won’t buy it. But when it comes to our work environment, somewhere where we spend around 25% of our time, we never think to ask about the environment in which you will work.
The physical environment where you will work should be one of the multiple factors that enter into the decision making process.
So what are the particular factors you should be evaluating when assessing your potential new work environment?
#1) Office versus cube
In an office environment, having an open space area or closed space area can be a sensitive topic. If you are coming from an environment where you are used to sitting in an office, you will want to know if the company you may go to work for identifies your role as a cubicle role. Some people just cannot get past moving from an office to a cube environment.
#2) Size does matter
If you are getting an office, is it a cubby hole or a sprawling room? In the world of cube and office land, size is a non-verbal expression of your location on the hierarchy. When you first begin work, your colleagues know nothing else of you expect where you will be sitting. The space you are given will determine how you are viewed within the organization.
#3) Location, location, location
It is no secret in the workplace that the terms “corner office” and “office with a window” mean you are someone in the organization. Unfortunately, there are only a few of those coveted locations. For the rest of us, sitting in a cube near a large string of windows might make for cold winters and hot summers.
Another question would be whether or not your office or desk is located near a high traffic zone or a common area. It may be more difficult for you to concentrate.
Or what about sitting near the restrooms? Sure, someone has got to sit there, but this is certainly not hot real estate.
It also makes a statement as to what floor you sit on or the nearness (or distance) from the executive wing.
#4) Visibility
Depending on the organization, some have a culture of privacy and others have a culture of openness (which can sometimes be defined as “distrusting”). If you are destined for a cubicle, how much/little privacy will you have? Is everyone sitting in a cube required to have their computer screen facing the entrance– where anyone can see what you are working on? Do the cubes have high walls or low walls?
#5) How does it look?
Some people may try to argue that it should not matter where you sit or how it looks because you are just so darn focused on the work at hand. But the reality is, some people leave their jobs because they do not like the way it looks. Just like the car you drive or the clothes you wear, the place you work needs to fit your look. If you are more of a contemporary style person and the place you are working is a dusty building that has not been updated in 20 years, this could be a negative piece of the puzzle.
The next time you are interviewing, if the interview seems to be going well, ask for a tour of the area for which you would be working. Some organizations will find this an odd request—because you are just supposed to like the area that you will be working, period! If you feel your interviewer begin to tense up this is an area where you will want to probe further. Don’t be too pushy. If they are not interested in showing you around after the first interview that is ok. But if you are asked back for a second interview or if you are presented with an offer, be sure to ask for a tour. If they really want you, then they will oblige.
Once you are taken on the tour, be keenly aware of your senses. Are you excited once you see the area? Are you put off? Are you trying to talk yourself into making it work? These are all things you will need to think about before making a decision. Whether you realize it or not, the environment for which you work can play a big role in your job performance and your overall job satisfaction.
August 27th, 2010 at 8:06 am
Good article overall - one notible exception is that you will probably not be able to get a tour if you are applying for a job in a secure area - too much risk is created by showing the “interviewee” the work area where they could potentially become a security risk if that person is not hired, but was able to visually eye scan computer screens, the building layout, etc. This point was well made in a recent Information Security course I attended.