How to Research a Potential Employer – Before You Take the Job
You’ve found a great opportunity… but before looking seriously at the job, how do you verify that the employer is worth your time?
Is the company for real? Is the new job authentic?
Do their employees like to work there – and do they stay?
Review these key resources to get the insider knowledge you’ll need in hand before scheduling an interview or starting your first day:
1 – Dig into the company’s LinkedIn page.
You’ll see the number of employees at the company, the volume of company followers, and links to the company website, along with helpful details such as the names and job titles of contacts who are within your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree networks.
The People tab will highlight contacts you may know, along with their home location, educational background, job function, and more – giving you an idea of their areas of concentration.
LinkedIn also provides metrics and details such as the employer’s growth trends over the past several years, how many people they’ve been hiring, and their employee count by function. If you’re seeking an operations leadership role and this function appears to account for only 10% of their business, it’s possible the competition is fierce for these openings.
You can also take a quick scan through their employee profiles on LinkedIn to get an idea how long they stay.
In addition, you can review the company’s social posts for more intelligence on their operation. Consider following both the company and their employees to see what they post.
2 – Look at the company site and online metrics to gauge their stability.
Move beyond what you’ve found on LinkedIn to uncover more data from their company site, news, annual report, and growth stats.
Run an online or AI search for the company and their competitors; you might find interesting trends on anticipated growth and market standing.
These searches will give you insight on whether the employer is considered a rising star in their industry, or are struggling to retain business and employees.
3 – Search company reviews to uncover trends.
Do employees like working there?
Equally important, does the company maintain good relationships with customers?
Sites such as Glassdoor or Indeed can also give you an indication of employee satisfaction and overall engagement. Typically, you’ll see complaints, especially if there’s a disconnect between teams and management.
You can also look at review sites including TrustPilot and Yelp to gauge how the employer is perceived in their market.
Feedback from these groups can save you a potential headache down the road – or confirm that the employer is a great prospect for your career.
4 – Check with your network.
Even if your contacts don’t work there, they might have avoided taking a job at that company… and this information can be helpful to you in making a decision.
Someone in your network might also know of others you can contact, so don’t hesitate to reach out.
In today’s virtual interviewing settings, it can be difficult to assess culture, growth, and potential issues before your first day on the job.
Rumors often circulate when there are issues with the company’s stability, growth, or workplace culture – and it’s best to find them before putting your career on the line.
5 – Analyze Other, Revealing Areas of Information.
Search for the company on Reddit or other discussion sites that don’t require user verification.
If insiders or customers don’t like their practices, you’re bound to uncover some juicy details about the company’s working conditions, leadership, and growth trajectory – especially from users who can remain anonymous.
Stay watchful for unusual hiring practices, such as being asked to spend your own funds on “company equipment” before receiving (sometimes invalid) compensation. Job scams are unfortunately on the rise in today’s job search arena.
The more industry intelligence you can gather on a prospective employer, the better your results.
In summary, vetting a prospective employer is a critical step, now that scams abound and the job market is tight.
Spend the time before putting yourself in front of interviewers or committing to a job with any unknown factors.
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Perhaps you’ve been asked to reorganize a department or system, or you’ve found that there are problems with your employer’s methods of operation. Maybe you’ve transitioned a team to a new level of performance.
Get as specific as possible about the impact of your actions: metrics play a CRUCIAL role in a compelling resume and LinkedIn profile.
This is where your personality and career story come into play.
How much revenue, growth, profit, or process improvement do you achieve or influence?
Intentional brand building, in which you take purposeful steps to help strengthen and convey your brand, is crucial.
First, summarize your effectiveness as a leader with a list of your TOP career moments and achievements, such as:
Spark some new energy and career ideas by meeting with past colleagues or industry contacts for a quick chat.
Your visibility as a leader could be a core reason why you’re recruited for a new opportunity. Don’t wait for someone to tap you on the shoulder; seek out memberships or positions that elevate your brand.
