- Determine the general reputation of the business.
- If it is a small business, ask people whom you know.
- If it is a large company, check out their website.
- Go to your local or national newspapers to see what types of articles are written about the company.
- Ask to see a copy of their annual report.
- Ask people whom you know if they know anyone who is or was working with the company. If so, try to get an honest appraisal.
- Ask about the company policies regarding days off, vacation time, sick time, medical and dental benefits.
- Ask about the employee turnover rate.
- Stop by the company as people are leaving work and take a look at the expressions on their faces.
- If there is a local coffee shop where employees congregate, stop by before accepting the position. You will learn a lot from their smiles or frowns.
- Before you accept the position be certain you have a letter clarifying your responsibilities.
- If you do not receive a letter, send one yourself.
- Clarification letters should be friendly and positive outlining your expectations.
- Ask about the training period or if you will be expected to learn on the job.
- Find out if you will be working independently or with a team.
- If you are part of a team, try to find out what happened to the person who you will be replacing.
- If you will be working independently, be certain you meet the person to whom you will be reporting.
- Ask if there are weekly meetings with your supervisor or manager.
- Find out how long the person to whom you are reporting has been in the organization.
- If he or she has been there less than six months, ask what their goals are and their expectations for you.
- Ask what is considered success.
- Determine how you are evaluated, through one on one or through multi-rater 360 computerized system.
- Make a list of your own expectations.
- Ask about promotion policies, bonuses, and raises.
- Make a realistic assessment as to how long it will take you to get to work and home again each day.
- If you need day care services, find out which ones are available.
- Ask to see your workspace.
- If it is a shared space, ask yourself if it meets your needs in terms of cleanliness, neatness, workability.
- Find out if you will have the necessary equipment to do the job whether it is a computer or a broom.
- Ask yourself – is this the type of company where I would like to spend eight hours or more per day.
Adapted from The Art of Decision Making Copyright 2007 Watson