As a job seeker, statistics say you have all the power: today\u2019s tight job market puts applicants in the driver\u2019s seat as they shop around for the right position. You also possess another type of power\u00ad\u2014the ability to access mountains of information about companies with a quick internet search. It\u2019s wise to take advantage of that ability and research companies before you send out a slew of resumes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think of yourself as a \u201cjob detective\u201d when you research companies that you\u2019re interested in. Sure, salary and benefits are a huge consideration, along with job responsibilities, but what about the aspects that aren\u2019t always advertised? Here are five things you should know about a company before considering a position:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to a recent survey, 95% of employees said insight into a company\u2019s reputation is important. This should be considered basic background information that encompasses many areas. For instance, does the company have a reputation for burning out employees with unrealistic workloads and long hours? (Some companies see this as a badge of honor!). What is their turnover rate? Do employees complain about lack of training or poor management? Has the company been involved in lawsuits regarding discrimination? If a company has a bad rep, you\u2019ll find evidence on the internet if you dig deep enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before you commit to working for someone you should get a feel for how long they\u2019re going to be around. Of course, nothing is certain, but a company\u2019s stability is fairly easy to gauge. Are sales, and more importantly, revenues increasing or decreasing? What is the overall trend for the past five to ten years? If the company is a start-up\u00ad\u2014which could offer the potential to grow along with it\u00ad\u2014there may not be profits yet, but you can still look at growth trends. It\u2019s also fair to ask about plans for growth in an interview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For many of today\u2019s job seekers, the ability to work remotely, participate in job sharing or other flex options is a very important perk. Thanks to numerous studies that show that workplace flexibility can improve work-life balance, boost productivity and improve employees\u2019 mental and physical health, more companies are offering some type of flexibility. If this is high on your wish list, be sure to check out the company\u2019s policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unless you want to stay in the role for which you\u2019re applying forever, it\u2019s a good idea to find out if the company offers training, leadership programs or educational assistance. Also, do they outline career paths and tend to promote from within? Many companies will provide information on career development on their websites, particularly if they support growth and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFit\u201d is a two-way street: companies want to find the best candidate for the position and their company culture, and you want to find the best company for your personal strengths and values. Lots of companies will say they\u2019re a \u201cgreat place to work,\u201d but what exactly does that mean? Do they provide insights into the day-to-day work environment? Do they support the community or other charitable causes that are important to you? Do they proudly display photos from company team-building events? Does the mission statement or company values sound like they mesh with your own values? Do they have a formal or informal atmosphere? Decide what means the most to you and then look for a company that offers the best fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While you can glean a lot from a company\u2019s website, don\u2019t stop your search there. As you research companies, look for online reviews, as well as how the company responds to negative reviews (there are websites dedicated to company reviews). You can also check out the company\u2019s LinkedIn page, do some research on the leadership, talk to people in your network, and look for general news about the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n