We previously wrote an article on what apprenticeship companies look for in trainees. Now it’s time to flip the perspective, and see what criteria the companies should meet for job seekers.
Before you take a job offer, you should do your research. You should look at the company, their values, and their goals. You should ask yourself if this is the kind of company that you want to work for.
You should also look at the people that work there. Are they happy? Do they seem like they enjoy what they do? Do they seem like their jobs are fulfilling to them?
Once you have put your potential employers under the scrutiny of these questions, you will be more prepared to make an informed decision as to which of them you would most like to work for. To help you in this process, we have listed a few of the main things you as a job seeker should look for.
What should you look for in a company?
On a basic level, the best companies are usually the ones that have a good culture, where employees are happy and motivated. They also have a good work-life balance and enable their employees to grow.
On a deeper level, the companies that fulfill these goals to the utmost, are those that have a higher purpose and meaning behind their operations. In simple terms, they have a reason for what they do – a reason that goes beyond self-interest, and performs some important service for the public good. In turn, their employees are also infused with a deeper meaning in their work.
Some examples of publicly meaningful businesses include those that:
- contribute to the environment
- contribute to improving the local community
- contribute to charity, directly, or to the work of charitable organizations
These types of companies often intend to spark a change in attitude towards the better. One such company is Norway-based Flexistore. They provide self-storage solutions, with an aim to both digitize the industry, while also contributing to the environment through active storages that “encourages a more sustainable attitude towards your assets,” as they say on their “about” page.
How to conduct research on potential employers
Asking the right questions while doing company research will help you make a more informed decision. It is important to know what kind of company culture you are going to be working in.
There are many tools that you can use for company research. Some of them include Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and Indeed. Here, you can get your hands on statistics, connect with employees in the companies you consider working for, and get a better view of these companies as a whole. Another thing you should do is go directly to their website, if they have one. There, you will often find clues that tell you what they are about, how they do things, and the contribution they want to make for the public good.
How to tell if your potential employer is a great company
Great companies are not just a place to work, they are a place to grow and learn. They provide opportunities for their employees to develop themselves and help them grow.
If you want to know if your potential employer is good company, you should ask yourself these questions:
- Does the company have a strong sense of community?
- Is the company innovative?
- Is the company transparent?
- Is this a place I can see myself working, 5 years from now?
The answers to these questions will, as we stated in the introduction, make it easier for you to decide what company you would like to work for.