| In these changing times, it's more important than | | | | Does the employer have a good reputation in the |
| ever for ever job seeker to know how to evaluate | | | | community? |
| a job opportunity. Establishing a set of acceptable | | | | A reputation, whether positive or negative, precedes |
| criteria for each prospective employer in advance of | | | | an organization. Talk to people, network, and learn. |
| accepting a position can save you time, money, and | | | | Is the company adding jobs and growing? |
| keep your career on-track over the long-haul. Here is | | | | Are they hiring more this year over last? Are they |
| a list of the top factors to assess before becoming a | | | | adding additional office locations? These are two |
| part of any company's team. | | | | good indicators of growth. |
| Is the company financially stable? | | | | Is the entity considered innovative and fresh - or a |
| If the company is publicly traded, are they reporting | | | | dinosaur? |
| record losses? Are there news reports of scandal or | | | | Many companies out there have antiquated |
| bankruptcy filings? These are good indicators the | | | | processes and business systems. When an employer |
| company may not be a quality option. | | | | never invests in upgrading their systems to advance |
| Do you know who's running the operation? | | | | with technology, it may be only a matter of time |
| Most companies have a section on their website with | | | | before this company becomes extinct. |
| the biographies of the CEO, Board of Directors, and | | | | Connect with current and past employees through |
| the top rung of management. This data can also be | | | | LinkedIn or other business social networks to see |
| obtained through research sites like Hoovers or | | | | how they rate the employer. |
| LinkedIn. Have there been frequent high-level | | | | Much like a hiring manager calls for references on |
| changes over the past three years? Does the | | | | prospective employees, every job seeker should find |
| organization have a competent team in charge? If | | | | out how current and past employees felt about that |
| the Vice-President of Sales was indicted ten years | | | | company. This can be very insightful, indeed. |
| ago on embezzlement charges, this may be a red | | | | Has the company ever failed to make payroll? |
| flag that stability could be an issue. Look at the | | | | This may sound like a "no-brainer," but this is a |
| company's leadership as if they are under a | | | | situation when you don't want to walk away - run! |
| microscope. | | | | Go with your gut instinct. |
| Look at lay-off trends for the organization. | | | | If any aspect of a company's background doesn't |
| Does the company have a history of performing | | | | seem right, research to uncover further information. |
| mass lay-offs? Do they have high-turnover rates? | | | | In the end, every long-term business relationship |
| These points are indicators every job seeker should | | | | should be based on facts. |
| further consider. | | | | |