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Let’s talk about how to choose the right employer! Throughout your full-time job search or internship search it’s important that you begin to define what matters most to you in a workplace. What does that look like for you? Is it a lively company culture, salary transparency and open negotiations, or alignment with your career goals? Getting clear about your non-negotiables will provide clarity and ensure you “swipe right” on the employer for you!
Identifying your ideal employer
The job search is no different than dating; it’s important that you start to outline what you do and don’t want in your prospective employer, just as you would with a partner. How a job makes you feel is just as important as how cool it may sound. It may be useful to write out everything that would make you jump at an opportunity as well as the inverse, everything that would make you swipe left on an employer. You can always come back to your lists at any time during the job search whether it be first round interviews or salary negotiations. Checking in with yourself periodically and reminding yourself that these lists will evolve and change as you do is something to keep in mind as well.
Networking!
Networking is probably one of the most underrated forms of vetting prospective employers. Building relationships can not only give you an “in” with an employer, but it can also open the door for opportunities that may not have been on your radar. Even just connecting on LinkedIn with people at the company you’re eyeing can be helpful. Sending a short message to an employee expressing interest and wanting to learn more about their experience at the company is a great place to start. At the very least they know who you are now. Remember you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. Network, network, network!
Glassdoor
If your list of non-negotiables list centers on reviewing company culture, consider browsing Glassdoor. This site does a great job at peeling back the curtains and giving you an inside look into companies. Uniquely, through the student portal, Glassdoor will show you written company reviews from employees. This can give you more candid perspectives and detailed insights about companies you’re considering during the job search.
Handshake
Handshake “collections” offers around 30 curated job listing types that can help narrow your search based on what’s important to you. For instance, the “creates social impact” collection might be useful for someone that values working for a socially conscious brand or company. Handshake also offers written testimonials from employees that may lend perspective to your search.
“Best Companies” articles
Forbes, Seramount, Glassdoor and Fast Company amongst others post annual lists of the best companies to work for as well as the best-led companies. These articles are another vetting tool you can use to ensure you are making the right decision when choosing an employer.
Go where you are valued and where it feels good to be! These are all great places to start when choosing the right employer to soft launch with!
By Raigan Clay