How to Choose the Right Company to Work For: Start with These 6 Questions

How do you choose the right company for you? The hiring manager could say all the right things during interviews, but how do you know whether you’ll fit in well or stick out like a sore thumb?

We know how disappointing it is to get your hopes up and then realise during your first week on the job that things aren’t quite what they seem. Perhaps you’ve been going about it the wrong way. Instead of just taking things as they come, you should put yourself in the driver’s seat. That means asking yourself what your ideal job and employer looks like, and applying to companies that fit the criteria, rather than just responding to job ads.

First, you’ll need to start by asking yourself the following questions for clarity on your employment goals:

1. What does an ideal work day look like to you?

Does it involve flexible working hours and remote working options? Or perhaps your ideal work day includes dealing with people either in a sales capacity or customer service. The more specific you can be, the clearer your goals and priorities will be, which will help in identifying the right jobs and companies to target in your job hunt.

2. What is your idea of a perfect work environment?

Think of this as your wish list for your dream employer. Don’t be afraid to dream big. Nothing is impossible when we put our minds to it. Describe your must-haves in a perfect work environment, as well as deal breakers. Maybe you can’t tolerate the smell of cigarette smoke. If so, an office with smoking rooms might be a deal breaker for you. Whatever it is, knowing what you want and don’t want will help narrow down your list of compatible employers.

3. What drives you? 

What is your key motivation where work is concerned? Passion for the industry? Or perhaps you’re driven by sales targets and profit margins. That’s fine too. What matters is for you to know what motivates you, otherwise you won’t know if your future employer is capable of motivating you.

4. What kind of leadership style inspires you?

Do you prefer an authoritative boss who sets visionary goals and inspires creativity and resourcefulness on your part to achieve those goals? Or perhaps you respond better to a coaching leadership style that focuses on developing and honing employees’ talents and skills? Knowing which leadership style inspires you most is one of the most important aspects in your job hunt.

5. Name three factors that determine your employer choice

What are the top three factors that usually affect your employer choice? For some, the salary and benefits determine their decisions, while for others it’s the working environment. Does workplace diversity matter in your choice? It’s important to reflect on these and other deciding factors, as it says a lot about your priorities.

Are these priorities misplaced? If you’ve been choosing employers based on financial reasons rather than working environment, it might explain why you don’t feel that you belong. There is a multitude of reasons why you’ve not found the right employer to work for, but it boils down to your priorities when you decide to accept a job offer.

6. What kind of team members would you like to have?

Think about the best team members you’ve had in your career so far. What were they like? What did you share in common? Knowing this will give you clarity to the kind of employer you should be targeting. Having like-minded colleagues makes a huge difference to our productivity and overall job satisfaction.

On the other hand, you might be an introvert who prefers to work in isolation. If that is the case, you definitely don’t want to work in a company that encourages a sociable working atmosphere.

Now that you’ve narrowed down the attributes and values of your dream employer, how do you find matching prospects? One way is to browse online company reviews. There’s a lot of information you can get your hands on to aid in your job hunt. It just takes a bit more effort to sift through it all, but it’s well worth it.

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