Job searching can be difficult, especially in uncertain times. But, if there’s one thing you can do to make things easy for yourself, it’s to choose the employer first, followed by the job! This way, you can ensure that you locate a job that fits your values, has a pleasant working atmosphere, and has excellent perks. Yes, such employers do exist, and we’re here to show you how to find them! Let’s get started with the first five steps to discovering your ideal employer.
Determine what is most important to you.
Whether you’re looking for a job that allows you to train and develop your abilities, a position that allows you to have a good work-life balance or a job that allows you to work well with others, it’s critical to think about what you want before you start looking. Make a list of the things that are most important to you, things that are great to have, and things that aren’t crucial to you, and use it as a checklist while interviewing prospective employers!
Conduct never-ending research.
After you’ve completed your checklist, you may begin your research. Of course, how you go about this is entirely up to you, but we recommend researching employers in your desired industry/ies and location/s on Google and social media pages to get a sense of what current and former employees have to say about working there. You can then perform a deep dive and scour the company websites and careers pages of your top employers.
Pro Tip: Asking around in your group of friends to see if anyone has worked for any of your chosen companies or knows someone who has will also be quite beneficial. Obtaining first-hand information from a family member, friend, or associate is an excellent approach to determine whether or not this employer is a good fit for you.
Take a look at the Culture Compass.
Employees can rate the business culture of each organization using the Culture Compass by filling out a survey. The answers are then placed onto a compass for each organization, allowing you to determine right away if a company’s culture is more conventional or modern. This will give you a decent idea of the company culture and whether or not it is a suitable fit for you.
Examine the job descriptions thoroughly.
Before applying for a job with any of your preferred employers, you should thoroughly review the job descriptions to ensure that the tasks and criteria are appropriate for you and your experience. If you have any doubts, be proactive and write an email to the company’s HR department to request further information. If they answer quickly and courteously, it will tell you a lot about the corporate culture! When you’re ready and have determined how you will meet/exceed the requirements, it’s time to submit an application!
In the interview, ask about the company’s culture.
Once you’ve landed an interview, your hunt for the ideal employer doesn’t end there. Instead, think of the interview as a chance to put all of the information you’ve learned about the company’s culture to the test and ensure that it’s the right fit for you. Along with preparing responses to interview questions, you should also prepare questions to ask the hiring manager/interviewer. Here are some questions to get you started. If you get the answers you need and it seems right, that’s fantastic; if they give you the position, take it! Similarly, if you didn’t get the answers you needed and it doesn’t feel like the perfect fit, it’s fine to politely decline the position and keep looking.
Best wishes in your search for the ideal employer!