Do you often feel restless when you don’t get a job offer from your dream company and choose to work at any? There’s nothing wrong with that, but do you know the proper strategies for selecting a good company? That’s okay. We’ll help you to discover this.
In addition to confirming the validity of job vacancy information, company research before applying for a job helps customize your CV, facilitating the interview process and, most importantly, matching your interests and talents.
You can do company research in various ways, such as through internet searches, social media (LinkedIn, etc.), testimonials, asking directly during the interview session, or exploring the company’s website. So, what are the things to consider before choosing a company?
Things to Consider Before Applying to a Company
- Choose the right industry
The first thing you should consider is to choose an industry that matches your interests. For example, you are a programmer who is an expert in Information Technology (IT). In that case, choosing a company engaged in the same field is the right thing, especially if you want to enrich your knowledge and grow in the company.
2. Company History
As mentioned before, the company’s track record is an important point you should know, as well as its history. Things to know include how long-established the company is, whether the company is expanding into new industries or experiencing a financial crisis, how often the company lays off employees, and checking the digital record, especially in the media.
3. Company Location
Company location can affect employee mobility and productivity. That’s because commuting to and from work during rush-hour traffic has the potential to cause stress. In the end, it’s challenging to create a work-life balance. Expenses you must spend on transportation, such as gasoline, parking fees, or other public transportation costs, should also be considered.
4. Salary
The following vital point is salary. As an applicant, you need to know how much you are worth. You can propose a salary range based on your work experience, your profession’s average salary, your daily needs, and local minimum wage. You can negotiate the salary issue during the interview session.
5. Chance to Grow
Every place and situation is a learning experience. Better to choose companies that provide opportunities for their employees to grow and develop in terms of technical skills and personality. Therefore, you can ask the recruiters whether the company offers or regularly provides employee training.
6. Work Environment and Culture
Employee happiness is a crucial factor that affects productivity. It might have crossed your mind that regardless of the work environment, the goal is to complete the task. However, it’s important to understand that companies can grow through effective teamwork. So, connecting with colleagues is a good thing for you to better understand the company culture and increase engagement.
7. Recognition
Last but not least is how the company values the performance of its employees. Knowing this lets you assess how the company encourages employees to continue learning and produce better work, such as bonuses, promotion, or even the chance for a free vacation.
Knowing these things is essential for your career. Think of a company as a place to grow, learn, and spend time in your life journey. And before knowing what company suits you, knowing yourself is the first and foremost step to take. What career field are you interested in? What goals do you want to achieve? All the answers lie within you.