How To Vet Potential Companies To Find The Right Fit

Vetting a potential company extends beyond just finding a job that matches your skills. It also involves familiarizing yourself with the organization's stated goals and their products, services, people and culture.

An interview is one of the most common ways to evaluate the potential fit with a company. Still, everyone needs to go to their next interview having done at least a Google search and given a quick glance at their potential company’s “About Us” page.

This research should help you access very important pieces of information about the organization and to also access a potential employer's culture and beliefs. And as much as you want to be able to place yourself as the “next perfect employee,” it’s actually more important for you to determine if the company where you will be working is a good fit for you.

This article will help you properly vet potential companies to find the right fit. Let’s get into it.

Steps In Vetting The Right Fit Company For You

# 1. Learn About the Company’s Goals and Objectives

A job candidate should check out their potential employer before applying. You can tell a lot about a business by their interactions on social media, the company website, and even the images displayed on the company webpage.

You should look for press papers or releases about charitable work, community, teamwork, and work satisfaction. Furthermore, you should also look out for how the media covers and portrays the company to further understand its culture and values.

This information is not only helpful in writing a great cover letter, but it also gives you an idea of that part of the world you could be a part of.

# 2. Look Beyond The Company’s Website

While the company’s website is a perfect place to start your research, do not end it there. Social media is a great way to see how companies stay relevant and engaged with current social issues and societal trends.

Here you should look for how the company addresses issues that are important to you and ask yourself if it aligns with what you're seeking in a work environment. You can also research some decision-makers in the company as well as the people you might be working with.

# 3. Find Out What Employees Think of the Company

Here you need to concentrate on what the majority of the company’s employees have to say about the company.

Every company has its pros and cons, but utilize this as an opportunity to discover if there’s anything about the company that could be a deal-breaker for you. Your goal here should be to get an inside-out view of the company and its employees, not just the front-facing picture that may be most obvious to you.

The idea is not just for you to dig up dirt (though you might!). Rather, it is so you can have a much better sense of the people who work there and how you may or may not fit into the environment.

# 4. Pay Attention to The Company’s Communication Style

Communicating about something new is always likened to an experiment. Whether you are pitching a new idea or discovering what time of day is most suitable to have certain discussions, communication takes work. The different methods of communication are critical in determining how you are going to be successful in your next job.

In vetting your potential company’s communication style, there are 3 things you should consider:

Punctuality: How long do you have to wait to get feedback from someone? In cases where you may need to schedule immediate phone calls, do you get responses in a reasonable timeframe?
Professionalism: The world today is more emoji personified and business communications do not necessarily have to be rigid and formal. However, you should consider if you feel OK with the way your director or colleague communicates to you.
Personalization: It is not unusual for companies to send out automated emails before they start recruiting new employees, and this makes sense early on before you start submitting your resume. But once you have moved a little further in the interactions with the hiring manager, it’s reasonable to anticipate a little personalization. This is especially true when you do not get an offer. Personalization goes a long way to show the organization's values especially if you have been in constant communication with them.

# 5. Consider Your Growth Within the Company

Just like in your personal life, growth is important in your professional life. What type of growth is important to you? Promotional opportunities? Continued learning and education? The chance to pitch your ideas in your department and at the company? Consider what aspects are important to you and will bring you satisfaction and support your growth and development.

Some basic questions you should ask surrounding your growth in the company may include:

How does your company or department promote growth and learning?
What does retention look like in the department?
Are employees typically promoted from within?

Conclusion

The goal of vetting potential companies to find the best fit for you is majorly to build personal fulfillment and avoid the constant switch from one job to another. A company can be said to be the best fit when their key values and goals match your personality, values and goals. Vetting potential companies will ensure smoother interviews and more compatibility, which can lead to more job offers at great companies.

Here at VanderYacht Consulting, we will help you do your homework and decide which company is the best fit for you beyond your skills and experience. Contact us today.

Photo by Emily Morter on Unsplash