Job seekers: How to choose the right company for you

Perhaps though the critical step in all of this is to ask yourself – how did I end up in this situation (being in a job you’re not enjoying) in the first place? What decisions did I make or actions did I take that led to this? What worked? What didn’t work? And most importantly – what will I do differently next time?  

One thing that can prevent job dissatisfaction is taking the time to choose the right employer. Often we’re so focused on getting a job; we forget to consider whether or not the company, and the people in it, are right for us. Remember – in general terms – the core of any job will remain the same, regardless of where the role is. But what could really make the difference, is the company and the people you work with. Choosing a company that shares that the same values as you is the key to long term job satisfaction.

So how do you figure out if a company is the right employer for you? You have to figure out if they match your values. And the only way you can do this is through research. 

There are two stages to this. First is the pre-application research. Find out as much as you can about your target companies before you decide whether or not to apply to them. Second is your research during the interview – asking the interviewer(s) all the questions you need answered for you to make an educated decision.

However, the first step – before you do any research at all – is to identify your values. Unless you know what your values are, how will you know if the company shares the same values as you?

Your values are your drivers. The things you must experience in your career on a regular basis in order for you to stay motivated in your job. Examples are:

Recognition – Achievement – Teamwork – Innovation – Creativity – Leadership – Process – Structure – Respect – Transparency – Encouragement – Support – Freedom – Trust – Intelligence – Design – Helping People – Energy – Positive Attitude – Personal Development – Learning – Growth – Contribution – Inspiration – Teaching – Coaching – Fun – Organisation – Ethics – Fairness – Responsibility – Economic Security – Travel – Strategy – Vision  

This is not an exhaustive list. These are just a few examples to help you think about what’s most important to you. Choose 20 and then pick your top 10. This will be your fundamental list of criteria when selecting your next employer and job. Now you can start your research.

1) Pre-application researchCompanies

Write down a list of companies you think you might like to work for. Then do as much research on them as you can to figure out if your idea of them is actually the reality. 

The People

Most professionals are on LinkedIn these days. Look at the profiles of the people in your target companies: the leadership team (CEO plus Department Heads – HR in particular), the person you would report into and your potential team members.

Of course, LinkedIn isn’t the only source of information. There is plenty of valuable data on the internet. Company leaders are often in the news – maybe giving an interview or being profiled etc. LinkedIn can help you find people’s names. You can then Google them and research them as much as possible to figure out what the company and team are like - and if you can see yourself working with them.

2) Research during the interview

The interview is simply a conversation between two parties to make sure they are a good match for each other. That’s all. It’s an opportunity for you to find out whether or not they are the right company for you. How? By interviewing them in the same way they are interviewing you. But what should you ask?

The key point is you want to make sure the company and the people share your values. So if training and development is important to you, focus on questions around their training policy. If freedom is important, ask questions around their management style etc. If innovation is your number one value, ask questions around their history of change and adaptation. If family is important, ask around their policies on work-life balance, maternity/paternity leave etc. (And if they’re put off by this question – chances are they’re not the right employer for you.

Choosing a job because it pays well, has a fancy title or will make you look good, will most likely result in short-term job satisfaction. If you want to experience sustained job satisfaction and motivation at work, the key is to choose an employer and role that matches your values. Focus on finding a company or a boss that wants what you want, is willing to train and develop you and expand your abilities. And then once you have found them, spend your time at work proving they made the right choice in hiring you.