In this episode, host Kiana Emoto and her sister Tara dive into the often confusing—and sometimes deceptive—process of onboarding at a new job. They break down what onboarding really entails, the different types of onboarding, and how to spot early red flags in a company’s culture. Whether you’re starting your first job or navigating a corporate role, this episode provides actionable insights to help you make the most of your onboarding experience—and avoid toxic workplaces.

• Onboarding is a trial period for both you and the company. The first 90 days are critical for assessing fit—don’t ignore red flags just because you're excited about the job.
  

• Formal vs. Informal Structured training vs. learning through experience.
  

• Tactical vs. Strategic Administrative tasks vs. culture immersion and long-term growth.
  

• Cohort-Based vs. Individual Group training (common in corporate roles) vs. role-specific onboarding.
  

• Horizontal vs. Vertical Broad company exposure vs. deep dive into your department.
  

• Onboarding is a prime opportunity to build allies across departments. These connections can support you later in your career.
  

• Disorganized or nonexistent onboarding.
  

• Lack of role clarity or bait-and-switch job descriptions.
  

• Unrealistic workloads or no work at all (poor management).
  

• Difficulty accessing resources or key people (dysfunction).
  

• High turnover and disengaged employees (toxic culture).
  

• No work-life balance (e.g., bosses ignoring boundaries).
  

• Negative or manipulative leadership (e.g., blame-shifting, gaslighting).
  

• Resistance to feedback or questions (lack of investment in your success).
  

• Onboarding reveals a company’s true culture. If they can’t onboard you well, they likely won’t support your long-term growth.
  

• Stay skeptical. The onboarding “honeymoon phase” can mask problems—keep evaluating if the job aligns with your goals.

TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction to Onboarding

00:15 Welcome to the Podcast

00:49 Understanding Onboarding Basics

03:25 Phases of Onboarding

13:30 Types of Onboarding

22:00 Boss's Perspective on Onboarding

25:42 Corporate Meetings and Their Purpose

26:20 The Importance of Mentality in Onboarding

26:52 Common Misconceptions About Onboarding

27:36 Networking During Onboarding

29:49 Onboarding as a Mutual Evaluation Period

32:45 Red Flags in Onboarding

35:50 The Impact of Poor Onboarding

38:28 Telltale Signs of a Dysfunctional Company

48:31 Concluding Thoughts on Onboarding

Kiana and Tara delve into the interview process from the other side of the table, exploring the perspective of the hiring manager and highlighting crucial red flags for job seekers to watch out for. They discuss why many bosses find interviewing challenging and offer valuable insights into making a positive and memorable impression. This is the second and final part of their deep dive into interviews.

Key Takeaways:

• Bosses often dislike conducting interviews, similar to how candidates feel about being interviewed.

• Managers often form an initial impression of a candidate very quickly, sometimes within the first five minutes.

• It's essential to recognize potential red flags during the interview process that might indicate a negative work environment. (While the specific red flags aren't detailed in this snippet, the episode emphasizes their importance.)

• Interviewers are also trying to determine if a candidate is a good fit, just as the candidate is evaluating the company.

• Preparing authentic and memorable stories and examples is crucial for standing out to interviewers who may be speaking with numerous candidates.

• Tailoring your "tell me about yourself" answer with genuine and unique details can make a significant impact.

• Asking thoughtful and informed questions about the company and the manager demonstrates your engagement and helps you assess if the opportunity is right for you.

• Approaching the interview as a conversation can make the experience more positive for both the interviewer and the interviewee.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction and Personal Anecdote

00:20 Welcome to Part Two: Interview Insights

00:31 The Boss's Perspective on Interviews

02:55 Memorable Interview Moments

07:17 Mentality Check: Interviews as First Dates

07:52 Misconceptions About Job Interviews

15:38 Researching the Company and Manager

25:09 Identifying Red Flags in Interviews

26:11 Disorganization and Unpreparedness

27:15 Vague Work Expectations

28:36 Team Turnover and Negative Talk

30:16 Overpromising and Overtime Expectations

32:44 Gratitude and Hard to Work For

33:56 Handling Interruptions and Success Metrics

35:10 Company Culture and Inappropriate Questions

36:40 Passive Aggression and Immediate Job Offers

38:32 Work-Life Balance and Gut Instincts

40:08 Reverse Interview Questions

50:11 Final Thoughts and Key Highlights

Kiana Nemoto kicks off season one with her sister Tara, who is navigating the early stages of her career. In this first part of their discussion, they delve into the crucial topic of job interviews. Kiana shares insights and experiences, highlighting that understanding the interview process is the first step in navigating workplace dynamics, even before you land the job. They begin by breaking down the fundamental types of interviews.

Key Takeaways:

• There are two main types of interviews: structured interviews with predefined questions and unstructured interviews that are more conversational.  

• The typical interview process includes application submission (resume, cover letter, portfolio), internal screening (often automated using AI and applicant tracking systems), a phone screening with HR, an interview with the hiring manager, and potentially further interviews.  

• After the final interview, there are reference checks, background screenings, and then the offer and negotiation stage.  

• It's important to take time to consider an offer and to negotiate your salary.  

• Common interview formats include phone interviews, one-on-one interviews (often via Zoom), panel interviews, behavioral interviews, technical interviews, group interviews, and pre-recorded/AI-driven interviews.  

• Preparing a good elevator pitch is essential, as is being ready to discuss your resume

This is part 1 of the episode. Tune in for the second part to hear more insights and tips on navigating the job interview process!

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction to Corporate Survival

00:26 Welcome to the Podcast

01:20 Types of Interviews

02:32 Application Process

04:47 Screening and Phone Interviews

08:29 Interview with Hiring Manager

10:32 Offer and Negotiation

14:07 Common Interview Styles

15:57 Behavioral and Technical Interviews

18:49 Group and AI-Driven Interviews

22:35 Preparing for Interview Questions

28:11 Handling Expired Coupons: A Retail Dilemma

29:44 Interview Feedback: Demonstrating Independence

31:58 Behavioral Questions and the STAR Method

32:30 Situational Questions: Real-Life Scenarios

33:37 Technical and Job-Specific Questions

35:19 Cultural Fit and Personality Questions

41:47 Salary Expectations and Negotiations

50:44 Reverse Interview Questions: Evaluating the Company

In this episode, Kiana Nemoto introduces her new podcast, "How to Survive Your Boss. " She shares her personal journey through toxic work environments and explains why she's passionate about helping others navigate corporate politics. She discusses how bad leadership impacts mental health, why people stay in toxic jobs, and her mission to break the cycle of workplace dysfunction by providing the knowledge many don't receive through traditional education.

What You'll Learn:

• No one prepares you for navigating difficult bosses - colleges don't teach it, HR won't warn you, and experienced workers often gatekeep this knowledge

• Your career success depends heavily on your boss, not just your hard work

• Bad bosses can significantly damage your mental and physical health 

• We often stay in toxic jobs because we normalize dysfunction, are conditioned to be grateful for employment, or believe we're the problem

• Corporate culture frequently shifts blame downward, making employees question themselves rather than recognizing systemic issues

• Privileged knowledge about workplace navigation creates significant inequality in career opportunities

• Younger generations are rejecting toxic workplace practices, creating friction with established corporate cultures

• Trust between companies and employees has eroded, leading to job-hopping every two years becoming normalized

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction: The Unspoken Truth About Surviving Your Boss

00:11 The Harsh Realities of Corporate Life

01:39 Why This Podcast Exists

02:48 Meet Your Host: Kiana Nemoto

05:00 The Importance of Managing Your Boss

05:51 The Impact of Bad Bosses on Mental Health

09:15 Why We Stay in Toxic Jobs

15:33 Breaking the Cycle of Toxic Workplaces

19:49 The Privilege of Knowledge and Mentorship

23:51 Generational Shifts in Workplace Mentality

25:44 The Evolving Corporate Landscape

28:08 What to Expect in Season One