Every job interview gives you a peek into the company’s culture. If you are asked to make unwanted changes before you even start working for the company, is the job really for you?
You should be excited about a new position so make sure you pay attention! Here are some seemingly small, but hugely important things you should consider before you accept your next job.
1. Time Off
If you value family time more than anything else this is a big issue for you! If a company only offers 1 week of vacation a year, this might not work out in your favor. The company obviously does not value the same things as you and you may end up missing out on some memorable events. But for how long would you let that go? Your new job could become an ex-employer sooner than later.
2. Working Hours
Like vacation time, if personal time outside of work is also important to you, find out what the normal working hours are – NOT what the published working hours are. These are frequently two separate things.
They might say 9 to 5, but in reality most people were working from 8 to 8. One way to get the scoop about a company’s real working hours is to drive by the parking lot an hour before and after the company’s official “work hours” and count the cars. Ask the question directly if you are concerned about this.
3. Work Location
If you need to relocate or drive a distance to a new office, make sure you are comfortable living in one of the surrounding communities and with the commute. Will you be required to work in the office or is there a remote working option? Are there other locations? If you don’t like being stuck in an office five days a week, don’t take a job at a company that requires it.
4. Acknowledgement
While you were waiting for your interview, did anyone passing through the lobby acknowledge you or say hello? How about when you walked through the halls to get to your meetings? Friendly employees are a sign of an engaged workforce.
5. Care
Did you have to wait in the lobby well past your scheduled interview time? If so, did anyone apologize or explain the reason why? Did your interviewers let you speak and fully answer the questions? Did they seem present with you or distracted? Preparation is also a sign of care for others.
If you are – or you see others – treated poorly or inconsiderately during your interview stage, you can guarantee that it will be magnified by 10 when you start working for the company.
6. Receptionist Interaction
A receptionist can tell you a lot about a company. The first person you meet at any company should be important to the company.If you find the receptionist unfriendly, unhelpful, or clearly uninterested in your presence or their job, you should take note. Their disengagement may reflect the entire workforce. Pay special attention to how the receptionist interacts with other passing employees too.
7. Availability
If your interview got rescheduled time after time or took weeks to set a date it could be that all the hiring heads are extremely busy or traveling a lot – a key indication of the company culture. If it is difficult to pin down your future manager for an interview, you may find the same frustration when you try to reach them as an employee.
8. Websites
Always look at a company’s website before you go out on an interview. If you don’t see a single mention of their employees or culture or mission statement it may be a sign of a lack of commitment or interest in its staff and clients. Look for things like “we value your time” – Imagine a website with only information about the company no personal views or insights. If what you are looking for is not highlighted on the website, you probably won’t be able to find it at the company either.
9. Cleanliness
What does the lobby look like? Look at the hallways and offices. Are they clean and or dirty and unorganized? Unorganized and un-kept environments can be a sign of much bigger organizational issues like low employee engagement and even ethics problems – disrespect for company property, rules, policies, and laws.
10. Dress Code
If you love wearing jeans or shorts and t-shirts to work, don’t take a job that requires suits and business attire. If you like wearing suits, you will not be comfortable coming to work in jeans. Being comfortable at work will improve your confidence, productivity, and engagement.
11. Visual Messages
Sometimes the most important information you need about a potential employer is the information that is right in front of you. Decide what is important to you, keep your eyes and ears open, and only take a job that meets your basic criteria.
**Monster.com – Forbes.com – 12 thing you should not ignore during an interview.