Whether you're applying for an application or preparing for an interview, checking out a potential employer is key. The selection process includes both stages! By researching and evaluating likely employers, you can determine if there is a good match between what they offer and your skills, but also figure out if you should pursue your application. Do you want to find the most important information about a particular company? Start with the first step.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Study the Company's Website
Step 1. Start from the company homepage
If your potential employer has an official website, start your search there. Go to the homepage. Ask yourself if it makes a good impression in general. Is important information organized well? Does the website appear clean, professional and modern? Is contact information easily available (telephone, fax, email, physical address)? If so, you can probably conclude that the company is quite professional and cares about its public image.
Step 2. Study the "About us" or "About us" page
Most companies have a page titled "About us" or "About us", where they provide their story, vision, mission and philosophy. Set up well, the "About Us" page brings benefits that are greater than just making money, affirming how competent the company is; it should express the company's intentions in solving a problem, providing useful services or satisfying its customers.
For example, a poorly written "mission statement" could only say: "We are motivated by the intent to become first of all." This statement says very little about the company and does not express an articulate thought. On the other hand, a "mission statement" that says, "We are motivated by the intent to become the preferred suppliers of innovative technologies in order to increase the communication and efficiency of call centers across Europe" is much better - reveals a 'careful reflection, specific objectives and a thought dedicated to customers
Step 3. Check the "Work with us" or "Careers" page
If the company has a page titled "Work with us", please read it carefully. In all likelihood, you'll find good information about the company here - it proposes, after all, to entice qualified candidates to apply for a job. However, reading all the information is a good starting point for understanding and evaluating the company. In addition, it can give you information on salary, benefits offered and opportunities available to employees.
In particular, take note of the number of jobs listed on the "Work with us" page and how long those jobs will remain on the list. If there are many open positions, it could mean either that the company is expanding or that it has a high staff turnover rate; try to find out which of these two possibilities may be true. If positions are open for a long time, it can indicate that the company is having trouble finding and hiring qualified candidates. We see this as a potential warning sign
Method 2 of 5: Conduct Additional Online Research
Step 1. View company profiles in social media
In addition to official sites, many companies today have profiles open on social media. These pages allow you to gather more information about a particular company and see who is following it. Some things to look for are:
- consistency of information. Information relating to a company should be consistent across all its active social media profiles and the official website. Any inconsistencies could indicate that a company is dishonest, unprofessional or careless in updating its site.
- professional look. Social media profiles should contain well-written statements, with few errors, and should look clean and professional.
- followers. Who is following the company? It is normal for new or very small brands to have only a few followers, but for larger and more established companies, the lack of followers could be a warning sign.
Step 2. Browse employee profiles on social media
If possible, find employee profiles and see what information you can find about the type of people the company generally hires. Compare profiles to evaluate common characteristics, education and experience. See if you can determine how long employees have been in the company. If you continually find people who have worked for a year or less, this particular could be a warning sign. Also, look for:
- statements or involvement on the part of employees regarding the search for a new job. If many of the employees of a company are trying to change jobs, it would not be wrong to reconsider the company.
- a large number of former employees who are now out of work. This could indicate mass layoffs, frequent layoffs, or the company's inability to hold onto its employees.
Step 3. Conduct general research on the company on the internet
By entering the company name, as a keyword, in a search engine, you will be able to view pages and pages of information (in addition to visiting the website and social media profiles). For example, you may find articles, books, documents, and other publications about you.
Step 4. Visit the sites where there are reviews or rankings about the company
Use the company name and terms such as "reviews", "rankings" or "ratings" as keywords, and run a new search on the internet. You should see a list of websites that provide reviews or ratings for that particular company. Obviously, the more positive you are, the more comforted you should feel about working for her.
Try not to fixate on one or two negative reviews. Even the best companies can have a disgruntled ex-employee. Take into account the general voice
Method 3 of 5: Conduct a Search Outside the Internet
Step 1. Ask questions during the interview
When you speak to an employment agency, a human resources director or another company representative, you ask several questions about the company, the job, the work environment and the corporate culture that exists within. Notice if people seem open to answering these questions or not. If the person seems hesitant, it is probably necessary to dig a little deeper. Questions to ask include:
- What is the business management model?
- What is the corporate culture?
- Does the company provide career opportunities?
- Does the company organize individual events for each department / department or do they involve the entire company team?
- Why did the last person in this position leave? How long did its use last?
Step 2. Talk to current employees
While you may feel nervous or uncomfortable about it, asking current employees what they think about the company can be a way to understand more. If employees are willing to talk to you and respond positively to your questions, that's a great sign. However, if they seem to be lingering for a long time and hesitating about what to say, they are likely trying to hide some hostile sentiment towards the company.
Step 3. Try a customer approach
If your business has some sort of consumer orientation center, visit it as a customer. How was your experience? Were the employees helpful and courteous? Did they seem happy to you? If the experience was positive overall, it is a good sign that current employees are satisfied and that the company strives to create a positive work environment.
Method 4 of 5: Detect Warning Signs
Step 1. Find out the negative reviews
Even the best of companies will have a negative review from time to time. However, if there are several that mention the same problems over and over again - "overworked and underpaid," for example - you should see this phenomenon as a warning sign.
Step 2. Investigate compatibility issues
As the interview steps unfold and you continue your research, think about how it would be beneficial for you to achieve a good level of compatibility with the company. If you have the feeling that you are not suitable or that you would be unhappy, take that feeling seriously. For example, if you prefer a relaxed work environment, but find that the corporate culture is about speed and hard and rigorous commitment, you can decide to find your happiness elsewhere.
Step 3. Sift through unclear information
If you receive unclear or inconsistent information, investigate the matter! Any inconsistencies may indicate that you are not being told the truth, that your contacts are not well informed or that there is uncertainty within the company. If, for example, you were told in your first interview that you should be working every weekend and, then, in the second that you don't have to work at the weekend at all, you need to find out if that's true - and where the inconsistencies are coming from.
Step 4. Evaluate unprofessional interactions
If your initial contacts treat you unprofessionally, you won't be able to feel comfortable working in a particular company. Here are some examples of unprofessional behavior:
- poorly written email messages
- rudeness
- harassment
- comments or actions that make you feel uncomfortable (such as sexist or racist remarks)
Step 5. Evaluate the work environment
When you visit the workplace, evaluate your surroundings to determine if you would be happy to work there. Questions to consider include:
- Do employees seem unhappy? If you start working for the company, you might be unhappy too.
- Is the workplace cluttered and confusing? A cluttered environment can be a clue that the issue of employee workspaces is being ignored.
- Are there any unsafe work areas? Unnecessarily dangerous work areas can cause serious problems. Don't put yourself in danger.
Method 5 of 5: Make a Decision
Step 1. Evaluate all your searches
Think about all the information you have gathered and all the interactions you have had. Do you feel comfortable taking a job at that company? Do you want to be happier? Will you be able to stay for at least one year?
Step 2. Weigh the pros and cons
All jobs and businesses have advantages and disadvantages. It is important to make a list and weigh the pros and cons based on your particular preferences and specific circumstances. Remember that a company may be suitable for one person and inadequate for another. Only you can make the best decision.
Step 3. Determine if the job is right for you
If the pros outweigh the cons, then the job may be for you. Trust your instincts and decide whether to continue or not.
Advice
- Remember that if a job sounds "too good to be true," it probably is. Do your research before signing any contracts.
- Use your personal contacts. If you know someone who has worked for a particular company, don't be afraid to ask for information.
