Doing your Homework
Everyone knows that a job seeker needs to learn about the available position, how well they may be able to do the job and being a perfect fit for the position. However, they also need to have a clear impression of the company that they are contemplating signing-up with and whether or not the relationship has the potential to last as for long as they need it. These days, signing-up with a company where the relationships quickly sours or ends unexpectedly for any reason can be devastating to future career goals. Do not expect this to change until the employment situation improves and employers become more willing to learn about an applicant’s specific circumstances, prior to eliminating him or her as a potential candidate. Until we reach that point your resume is your best and in many cases your only advocate during your job search. Therefore, keeping it as pristine as possible should be a career objective.
Think of your resume as your credibility report. It not only speaks to your area of experience, it sends clues to employers on how well you preformed at your last job, it indicates your ability to be loyal and stick with a company as well as your former employers’ willingness and need to keep you employed with the company. A history of job hopping or what may appear to be job hopping can side-line a job seeker. Even if the job seeker has simply been a victim of unfortunate circumstances. An article from the Wall Street Journal, dated October 6, 2009 and titled, Coping With a Job Loss—Again further explains this situation and provides suggestions on how a job seeker can go about resurrecting their image.
As something of a perpetual job seeker, meaning that when I am not looking for work, I am reading about employees, companies and tips for finding jobs. I see where job seekers are advised to read about a company’s products or services as well as the company’s social networking sites before a job interview. However, few mention that job seekers should search out and review a copy of the company’s annual report and read it in preparation for an interview or before applying with a company. A company’s annual report provides information on the company’s financial status as well as some history on the company. There may also be information on changes that were made during the previous year to keep the company competitive, how well the company’s various innovations and initiatives are fairing, their proposed product or service innovations, equipment purchases, new markets, and so forth. The annual report provides information on the company’s objectives. It allows the reader to see how the company is preparing for the future as well as how well it has performed in the past.
Job seekers may also find themselves looking into employment opportunities with smaller companies, or privately owned companies many of which do not produce an annual report. In a situation where no annual report is available getting to the type of information that you may need in order to make an informed decision may be a bit more complex. It is good to learn about any family members or business partners that may be involved in the management of the company. Ask about the average length of time employees stay with the company. Find out how long the company has been in business and under the same management. If a company recently changed management then a job seeker should note that if hired, things may be a bit bumpy at first as the new management team, existing staff and new employees all settle in and adapt to new or somewhat different policies, roles and routines. If you are applying for a position with a nonprofit, there are several websites and organizations that collect data on nonprofits.
Other situations that may be tricky to navigate is one where the company is expanding from a home based business moving into an office and hiring staff as well as companies that have been in business for a few months or less than five years. These would be considered new companies and are known as start-ups. In most cases there will be minimal information available on start-ups. During the interview a job seekers will have to listen and evaluate what they are being told about the company by the interviewer. Sometimes working with a start-up works out very well for employees who join the company early on, other times things may not work out as expected. It is up to the individual job seeker to determine what is best for them and their lifestyle.
To help avoid becoming a serial job seeker be honest and truthful with yourself. Keep your eyes and ears open. Learn about the position as well as the company. Do your research on the company. When it comes to research, remember that the company website and social networks are good sources for information. However, additional research sources can include google searches, news articles, press releases, Better Business Bureau, annual reports as well as family, friends and individuals working in the same industry.
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