Research company before accepting job offer
There is a valuable part of the job-interview process that many people overlook. Conducting your own research into a company prior to accepting a position can make a significant difference in your final decision.
It does take a lot of work to prepare yourself for the interview — building a resume, making phone calls, scouring help-wanted ads, getting word out to your friends so they can network for you, and on it goes. But remember, getting a job isn’t your goal. Landing the RIGHT job is what you’re after.
Whom you work for and whom you will be working with are very important factors to your future success. It’s easy to underestimate the influence individuals you’ll interact with on a daily basis will have on your accomplishment or failure. The team and leaders can almost always impact your ability to produce in either a more or less positive way. By doing some research prior to accepting a position, you may very well save yourself from serious consequences in the future. Getting answers to the following questions can provide you important feedback about the workplace environment.
How does the manager deal with problems in the workplace?
Does the employee group work well together as a team?
Are there internal candidates for the position? (If not, it may be indicative that either the job or the boss really isn’t a desirable one).
Why do employees like to work for this company?
What is the average length of employment for workers on the team? (If the average is less than one year or more than five, it will be helpful to know why).
Even if you’re certain the job will be a short-term or temporary position, it’s worth the time to cover your bases. Many people have taken stopgap job positions, only to find 30 years later that they are retiring from that same company. At the very least, you’ll want to use the organization for a reference later, so find a position that provides a successful environment.
Another important opportunity that many people miss is the simple process of surveillance. Most job seekers are so nervous about the interview that they don’t do this. The few moments before an interview are the perfect time to observe details about the workplace, such as the interaction between workers, the work environment, etc. At times, it’s possible to ask questions of a worker or two as you’re sitting and waiting. In other words, if you’re inside the workplace and there is a chance to observe, do so. It may save you from additional problems, and believe it or not, those issues can be worse than being unemployed.