How can you tell a company will be good to work for?
- October 05, 2022
How can you tell a company will be good to work for?
It’s not always easy to determine if a new company will be right for you. However, there are some key things you can ask about during the interview process that will help you get a better understanding of what they’ll be like to work for. Before you accept that job offer, take a look through these key areas to help you make an informed decision.
Culture
A good company culture is fundamental to creating a satisfying place to work. Employees are more likely to enjoy their work if their values align with that of their colleagues and the wider company. A strong company culture should consist of team collaboration and trustworthy management that encourages team bonding.
Company benefits
Nowadays, most employers are continuously reviewing their benefits packages to make sure they stay competitive in order to retain current employees and attract new talent.
Some examples of employee benefits include (but are not limited to):
- Bonuses
- Flexibility to work from home
- Free office snacks or meals
- Team socials
- Private healthcare
- Enhanced maternity/paternity leave
- Enhanced annual leave
- Free gym memberships
- Free counselling
It might seem like an awkward topic to bring up in an interview but you shouldn’t have to! Employees that offer great benefits will be shouting from the rooftops about them. Check the job spec and see what’s been listed in the company info.
Transparency
A good company is transparent about their successes, challenges, and the direction in which they are heading. During the interview processes you’ll probably get a sense of how transparent they are as a business, but if you want to do a bit of extra digging, here are some things to think about when asking questions around transparency.
- Do they have regular updates and company-wide meetings?
- Are they open with sharing information about their current financial situation?
- Are they approachable and open to feedback?
Career development
Most companies (especially the good ones) invest in the learning and development of their employees. External training sessions, industry events, memberships to training academies, and internal training schemes are just a few examples of what employers should be offering to help their teams develop.
When you have your interview, make sure to ask what opportunities are available to upskill and develop within your role. This will help you to understand whether career development is something they value, and it also shows your potential employer that you want to learn and grow.
Clear leadership
Having good leadership is an essential part of any great business. Strong leadership should involve motivating and inspiring teams to achieve their objectives, so that the business can grow and employees can progress in their career. Overall, boosting team morale and creating a great work environment. Key things to look out for in your potential new leaders include knowledge, clarity, motivation and empathy.
High employee retention
If a company is good to work for, they should be able to retain a high percentage of their staff. It’s natural for people to leave from time to time, but a high staff turnover could indicate issues within the company. Take a look at their current employees on LinkedIn to find out how long most people have been in the company. If the average is over a year, then this could indicate that they’re a good employer to work for.
Don’t forget to check Glassdoor
Glassdoor is a great source for looking at previous employees' experience with a company. It could provide you with some valuable information, whether that’s good or bad, about leadership, team structures, and their overall experience in the company.
Overall, the interview process is a great opportunity to get to know the company. Use this time to find out more about your potential workplace to understand if it’ll be the right fit for you. Get in contact and we’ll help you find your next job opportunity.