You will want to learn about the company, its reputation, financial situation, stock price, whether ... [+]
When searching for a new job, you want to know if the company and its culture are the right fit for you. Most people just focus on the job specifications. However, you could be doing yourself a disservice, as the role may be fantastic, but the C-Suite leadership, the company’s financial standing and potential layoffs could be reasons for concern.
Always do your homework to learn about the company you’re interviewing with. When meeting with people at the organization, pay close attention to the vibe. Are people happy? Do they seem stressed? Is there an air of discomfort permeating through the organization?
Some aspects you should look into are the company’s stance on work-life balance, the firm’s mission statement and whether the organization is adhering to it, employee growth, DEI initiatives, employee turnover, potential layoff announcements, the company’s reputation within the sector and the firm’s financial standing.
What To Keep An Eye Out For
You want to find a company offering a corporate culture that aligns with your values and work style. Start by asking the interviewer and hiring manager about your prospective daily responsibilities.
Ensure you are at the right level and discern whether the manager is overloading you with meaningless tasks or assigning you the grunt work. Look for opportunities to grow and advance within the company, such as professional development programs or leadership training. You’ll ascertain the company’s reputation for retaining and promoting people by asking around and doing your due diligence.
It's only reasonable and fair to expect that the job responsibilities match your skills, expertise and career goals. Unfortunately, some companies engage in a bait and switch. The job description and initial interviews lead you to believe you’re stepping into an amazing opportunity. After a month or two, you realize you’ve been had. The daily tasks do not align with your interests, skills and background. It may be beneath your level or irrelevant to what you want to do with your career.
Wide Salary Range Offered In The Job Description
Many states have implemented pay transparency laws that require job descriptions to include the salary or pay range. Some companies skirt the rules by providing a wide net between the lower and higher end of the compensation range.
For instance, you may have seen job advertisements that offer a salary range from $40k to $300k. This is a huge red flag waving, as the gap is far too broad. You could be wasting your precious time going on six to 10 interviews over the course of five months, only to find out that the company is willing to pay you at the low end of the range, when your desired compensation is $225k base, plus bonus and stock.
It's uncomfortable to ask, but you need to push back on the interviewers, HR and hiring managers to gain a complete picture of what the compensation package will look like. This should include base salary, corporate title, bonus projections, health benefits, internal growth potential and insights into the people you will be reporting to.
What’s The Work Model?
For the last three years, the debate over in-office, hybrid and remote work continues. A number of businesses that previously offered work-from-home options have changed gears and are now calling upon people to return to an office setting.
Before you accept an offer, you want to have something in writing guaranteeing the work style. Otherwise, if you were verbally told you could work remotely, but your new boss says they want you in for four or five days a week, your life will be upended. There will be a need to scramble for extra money to pay for childcare services, the round-trip commute and a new wardrobe.
It's important to discuss and get clarity and certainty around the work style, job location and whether it's reasonable to commute, relocate or just take a pass. You also want to ensure that you will not be commuting into the office only to be on Zoom calls all day.
How’s The Work-Life Balance?
Additionally, you need to find out about the work-life balance. It's easy for managers to say that they offer a great balance of work and life; however, oftentimes, they are too optimistic in their promises.
You want to be sure about how many hours are expected of you. What will the workload be like? How much pressure will your boss exert? Is there flexibility to come in a little late or leave somewhat early to attend your children’s school and sporting events, or will your manager give you the death glare and hold it against you in your annual review?
What Is The Reputation Of The Company?
You will want to learn about the company, its reputation, financial situation, stock price, whether there are looming layoffs and any grievances or lawsuits filed by former employees. Have workers filed discrimination or sexual harassment claims?
Does the organization boast about its DEI initiatives, but the company lacks diversity on its Board, in its C-suite and overall workforce?
If you’re using a recruiter, make sure the person, who presumably has close contacts with the company's upper echelon, shares any possible time bombs lurking under the surface. Check out sites like Blind or Glassdoor to find out what people are saying about the company.
