When looking for a job, job seekers are often influenced by a number of factors. What job position someone applies to may depend on factors like the skills required, compensation and benefits, commute time, career development opportunities and so much more. However, jobs don’t exist in a vacuum. It’s also about how a role fits into the broader framework of the company.
In fact, an individual’s marital status can also affect where they choose to work, as demonstrated in a study by Jobvite. It states that about half of married job seekers evaluate the company culture before applying for a job.
So, how do you even start looking for a company that is perfect?
Is There Such a Thing as a Perfect Company?
With so many moving parts that influence the quality of a job, it’s imperative to ask if the perfect company even exists. Unfortunately, there is no way to find that out before someone starts working at a company. However, if you are looking for a job, it is possible to do your due diligence to ensure you don’t end up at a company that is not only a bad fit culturally but offers no personal job growth, work environment, or any of the other aspects that are important to you for having a fulfilling work life.
Starting a new job can be a scary process. So, it is essential that you have the insights you need to hit the ground running from day one. This doesn’t have to relate directly to your job, but things like the dress code, what is the etiquette of seeking help, and what processes you need to understand in order to get up to speed.
“Emerging leaders understand that they don’t know everything. They know they have a lot to learn, and they’re willing to put in the work to reach their potential.”
- Carrie Missele, Director at Inspirant Group
5 Most Common Reasons Why You Might Resign Soon After Joining
Your Personality Isn’t in Line with the Culture of the Organization
A welcoming company culture is one in which an individual can adapt to and feel accepted. Many new hires quit because of workplace and personality conflicts. For instance, someone who prefers hierarchy may not be a good fit for a company that assigns importance to equality and horizontal team structures.
For instance, Heineken, the Dutch brewing company, conducted one of the weirdest job interview processes called “The Candidate.” The gist of the process was to gauge the personalities of the candidates by putting them through three staged challenges. The campaign demonstrates how companies too consider personality an important trait when
hiring the right fit.
The Role Doesn’t Enable You to Fully Utilize Your Strengths
Sometimes, a job could be exciting in the beginning, but many new hires could feel disenchanted if they are not able to utilize their full potential. Whether the job is less mentally stimulating or doesn’t require someone
to learn any new skills to adapt, it can feel like a dead end.
Lack of Opportunities For Personal Growth And Development
Learning at your job isn’t just a plus. It is a part and parcel of all occupations. Rarely does one have all the skills needed to excel at a job, and this is what makes it exciting. Lack of opportunities to grow and explore new avenues in a job results in new hires resigning.
The Role Isn’t A Good Fit With Your Professional Goals
Many people have certain career and professional goals that they seek to fulfill. A company may seem to align with these goals during the hiring process, but it quickly becomes clear that it isn’t the case, resulting in new hires seeking greener pastures elsewhere.
The Role Doesn’t Offer an Interesting Work Environment
According to a Hays study, 74% of young employees are willing to take a pay cut to be able to work at their ideal job. A dynamic, collaborative work environment that also provides recognition is one of the most common reasons employees stay longer.
Researching Employers Before Interviewing
Research is the first step in finding the right opportunity. Researching an employer is essential for job seekers because it can help you shortlist potential employers. Before you can find the perfect company to work for, thorough research will help you avoid wasting your time on interviews with companies that are not a good match.
LinkedIn is one of the best places to do your pre-application research. It can help you find other employees who work in similar roles and explore the exact skillsets you need to work in that particular role. LinkedIn also helps both job seekers and the hiring company compare each other with other alternatives.
Another great platform you’d like to research when looking for a job is Glassdoor. The portal not only has company reviews; it also has information on the salary range of different roles, possible interview questions you may encounter, and an insight into the company culture. All of this information is critical for job seekers. It allows you to get a clear picture of where you may be a better fit.
Conducting a Comprehensive Job Search
The first step of a job search is to identify the company that you want to work for. This requires research and getting in touch with the right people. You need to find out if they are looking for someone with your skillset, what kind of culture they have, what their mission is, and so on.
Once you have found out about the company, you can decide if it’s worth applying for it or not. If it’s not worth applying to, you can move on to other companies that might be a better fit for your skillset.
Determining the Best Company Culture
There are many factors that make a company great, but it’s up to you to decide what is most important. Company culture is the most important factor when deciding which company is right for you. You want to feel like you belong and that your skills are appreciated.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to existing employees and people in your network to gauge
an organization’s company culture. This will give you a far more real picture than just reading company reviews online.
“Professionals (especially young professionals) gain a vast majority of their knowledge from their peers - watching, listening, asking questions, and building relationships with others.”
- Amber Vanderburg, Founder of The Pathwayz Group
Handling the Interview Process When Looking for a Job
The interview process can be exhausting when you’ve just started looking for a job. With tailoring your resume to specific job postings, sending resumes, scheduling interviews, and sometimes waiting longer than expected to hear back from recruiters, it is important to remember that it’s a numbers game. Each interview is different, and one bad job interview isn’t an extension of your capabilities and worth. Once you have done your research and preparation, trust the process and keep a winning mindset. These are the small things that help you stand out from the rest.
Conclusion: You Found the Perfect Company. Now What?
Every job seeker’s ultimate goal is not just to find a job but to work at the perfect company that gives them a vibrant work environment, is a cultural fit, offers generous benefits and learning opportunities, and provides all the stepping stones to achieve their career goals.
When looking for a company that is perfect, you must remember that what seems like a great workplace now may not seem so in a few months or even years to come. The career stage you’re at right now will influence how you look at a certain organization. Although working at a new job can be challenging in the beginning, knowing what you want out of your time there will ensure you don’t resign prematurely or even stay longer than you should at a company. After all, the perfect company to work for could keep changing depending on what you want from your career and your long-term vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some examples of company culture?
Some companies have a family-friendly culture where employees are encouraged to spend time with their families, and enjoy themselves outside of work. Other companies have a competitive culture, where employees are encouraged to compete against one another and try to outdo one another in order to get ahead.
What are the main things to consider when evaluating two companies?
When you evaluate a company, compare the following factors to decide which one is a better fit:
-
Company culture and values
-
The type of work they do
-
Their working style
-
Their location and commute time
-
Their salary and benefits
How can I improve my chances of getting a job in my desired field?
Realize which field you want to work in and research the requirements. You can then start working on those requirements before you even apply for a job.
-
Do a lot of internships.
-
Volunteer with a non-profit.
-
Take a certification course to improve your knowledge of the field.
-
Take the requisite classes for your desired major.