How to tell if a company is the right fit for you

Advice Job Hunting Interviewing Candidate

You've done your research, sent your CV and decided to make a career change. But how can you really suss out whether these prospective employers are the employer for you. It’s common to forget that the job search is actually a two-way process and it’s just as important for you to find a company that feels like the right fit for you too. Here are our thoughts to assist you with your decision:

Company culture:
Every business has a culture: the values, habits and behaviours that define their day-to-day work environment. If the culture is a good fit, you’ll likely feel comfortable and confident bringing your whole self to work each day. To understand a company’s culture, pay attention to how they communicate with you from day one. The first email they send, the first phone call you have with their recruiters, your job interviews, and even follow-up emails. Between each exchange, stop and consider how you feel.

Bringing together personal and corporate values:
Do the company/brand values mirror your own? When your personal values align with the corporation’s values, it creates a harmonious environment that fosters employee engagement, satisfaction and organisational success. This connection creates a deeper sense of purpose and meaning with your work and fuels motivation.

Alignment with career goals:
Your decision around whether to accept or decline an offer should be driven by your interests, values, and future goals. Does the industry you’re applying for excite you? If you don’t like the job or industry you work in, you’ll find it hard to stay positive and motivated. Do you want to work for a reputable organisation? A large or small business? Do you want access to training and development? Do you want to progress quickly? More money? More free time? More purpose? There are no right or wrong answers.

Researching the company’s reputation:
Conduct your own background checks on the organisation and sense check the information you find with your connections. Is it a reputable company? Has the company been in the media recently? What do clients say about the business? Review the company’s website - most companies have dedicated web pages that specifically showcase their people, their mission and their core values. Be sure to check out your potential employer’s social media outlets including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn as well.

Reviewing the job description:
The job description is often one of your first points of contact with a company. It can provide you with great insights about an organisation or a role, the responsibilities you would hold, reveal how your performance will be measured and help you evaluate your current skill sets.

Asking questions:
The interview provides a perfect opportunity to ask the hiring manager detailed questions about the environment, culture and communication practices. Some great questions to ask may be:
o How would you describe the company culture?
o What would a typical day-to-day look like?
o What's your favourite part about your job? What is the least?
o Do people engage in team activities together?
o Who would I be working the closest with and would it be possible to meet them?
o What key traits are essential for filling this role?

Observing the environment:
If you’re attending an in-person interview, observe your surroundings. Even when waiting in reception, strike up a conversation with employees who may be passing by. A lot can be uncovered through a three-minute chat. Do a visual scan of the workplace or ask for a tour. Be attentive and take note - do people look happy? Do they look motivated and engaged? Could you picture yourself working with these people? Take note of how the office is set up. Is it a collaborative space?

Employee experiences:
Peer interviews provide an opportunity to help give you a sense of what it’s really like to work for a particular organisation. Senior leaders tend to have a different view of the businesses environment and they know how to pitch their workplace in a positive light. Whereas a peer will be more honest, or you will be able to read their body language to gauge a more accurate response.

Just as employers evaluate you, you should also be evaluating employers. It’s all about taking the time to know what the role will entail and how the organisation will (or won’t) align with your values, potential, and future goals.

Each step within the application process, provides you with valuable information about how existing employees communicate, collaborate, and perform their roles. It is important to point out, that if you uncover anything that makes you feel uncomfortable at any stage throughout the process, it may be a sign that this company may not be the best fit for you. You deserve to find a role and a company that works for you just as much as you work for them.