How to Ask Questions About a Company's Culture | The Reverse Critical Behavioral Interview Technique

In this podcast segment, Andrew LaCivita addresses a listener's question about vetting employers to avoid toxic work environments, particularly after a negative experience with a "toxic masculine environment." He emphasizes the importance of "eliciting evidence" rather than asking philosophical questions about company culture. LaCivita explains that direct questions about collaboration, for instance, often lead to generic or idealized answers. Instead, he advocates for "reverse behavioral interviewing" by asking interviewers for specific examples of past situations, similar to how employers interview candidates. He provides an example of how to frame a question about collaboration to elicit concrete evidence, such as asking for a time when a boss supported a team idea they weren't entirely fond of. He asserts that a quick, specific answer indicates a truly collaborative environment, while hesitation suggests otherwise. LaCivita mentions that these techniques, including methods for assessing deadlines, work-life balance, and micromanagement, are part of his job search coaching program and interview training.