Career Center

How to Research About a Company Before Joining

A job offer after the dreaded interview is undoubtedly a wonderful feeling.You must, however, be very careful not to get carried away with your feelings of pride, as so many job candidates do.Be sure that the job role, company and industry are 100% right for you before naively accepting the offer.The truth is, you'll cause far more trouble by accepting an unsuitable job you don't want, than declining it and giving the employer a chance to find someone else. Make sure you thoroughly research your potential new job and company before making a snap decision!

Here are 11 things you should consider before accepting a job offer.

1. Company Culture

Company culture includes vision, values, norms, systems, symbols, language, assumptions, beliefs, and habits.The most important thing to consider before accepting a job offer is how well you'll fit into the team, company, and office.The internet gives you all the resources you need to conduct your cultural quest, including the company website, social media platforms, mission statements, and previous projects.If you can't find any helpful information on the internet, ask during the interview...In addition to giving you a chance to impress the interviewer, asking your own questions will also give you a chance to thoroughly sift through the company.Although you may not be able to describe the culture fully, your online research will enable you to intuit it.Is it a good fit for you? Does it fit your personality? Is it what you need in a company right now?Take a moment to reflect on your own values and beliefs.

2. The People

The people you interact with during the recruitment process offer you a lot of insight into a company's culture and environment.In the process of an interview, you should also be assessing the interviewer (especially if that interviewer is going to be your boss).Does it seem like they're happy? Will they support you? Will they get along with you? You can use your gut instincts based on your conversation and body language.You will need a strong support network on a professional (and possibly personal) level, so if you are unsure that you will fit in, you should consider whether it is the right company for you.

3. Ethics

When applying for a job, have you considered the ethical implications of the job? It is likely that some companies have different ethical standards from our own. Those who oppose animal testing are unlikely to work for a cosmetic company that tests on animals.In contrast, there are other companies whose values are less clearly at odds with ours.You should take the time to understand exactly what a company does, who they work with, and what their mission is.We recently posted another blog that explores the ethical dilemmas that can arise when accepting job offers: Will ethics affect your career choice? But believe me, working for a company that makes you feel ashamed or goes against your values is demoralising and you'll soon find yourself trying to escape!

4. Your Responsibilities

Identify one question you need to ask yourself: “Do I truly understand everything there is to know about this role?”.Then, you really must make a concerted effort to find out! You should re-read the job description and get as much information out of it as you can. Any information that is missing, ask subtly or try to construe it during the interview. There are certain bits of information that will come out naturally in conversation, but you might have to dig deeper to find out about aspects of the role that weren't advertised. Having gathered all the information that you need to make an informed decision, begin evaluating whether the role is genuinely a good fit for you.I'm convinced that you don't want to be bored at work every day either, because you certainly don't want to lose your personal life in your job.If you want to find out further, you can use sites like Glassdoor. Are any employees grumbling about a lack of work-life balance?

5. Expectations

The hiring manager is bound to have some idea of what they are looking for in a new employee before they hire them (since that is why they're hiring in the first place).You need to determine what your expectations are precisely.Finding out what a potential employer expects can be tricky - it's better to ask the blunt question and watch carefully for their body language and tone of voice.During the interview, you can ask all the questions you want, but it's also important to read the interviewer's body language and learn to read between the lines when discussing workload.It is certainly not advisable to wait until your first day of work to be handed an unattainable target or unrealistic workload.

6. Opportunity

Obviously, career advancement isn't everything for everyone, but if you are looking to climb the corporate ladder, it's important to research potential opportunities before accepting a position.Your interview gives you the perfect opportunity to learn more about career opportunities. Make sure you're confident and upfront with your interviewer...If you don't think that progression is important now, it might be later, so it's good to get a feel for what's out there!

7. Training and Development

In addition, if you are interested in advancement, it is certainly worth researching training opportunities with the company.In some cases, companies may even reimburse tuition fees for relevant higher education courses, which is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to advance.Training is also a great topic to discuss during the interview; it shows your commitment to the company and your willingness to learn and grow.

8. Salary and Bonus Scheme

Prior to accepting a job offer, it is crucial that you evaluate the quoted salary. According to the average expectations for a role like that, you should be paid fairly.It can be tricky to negotiate salary, but don't be afraid to raise your concerns if you don't think the offer is fair.In addition, you should make sure you understand how commission schemes work so you can make an informed decision.

9. Employee Benefits

In the grand scheme of things, employee benefits can be as important as salary, especially subsidies, which can reduce the cost of living.The more important things, such as pensions, health and holiday entitlement, are certainly worth looking into. We advise against asking about employee benefits in your interview - you may come across as more interested in the perks than the actual job you're applying for.Research the company's website for more information or take a look at their Glassdoor profile for more information

10. The Commute

Even the smallest things can make a big difference in job satisfaction. When accepting a job offer, people often fail to consider the commute as one of the most important factors.However, that two-hour journey (one-way) can have a meaningful impact on your lifestyle.

Summary

I think it's obvious that there are many things to consider before accepting a job offer!There will be some factors that are more important to you than others, but all are crucial in your quest for complete job satisfaction.Always trust your gut instincts. If something doesn't seem right, try and figure out why.And choose the right decision, which can make your future bright and successful.