At the Interview – YOUR the boss..

Interviewing for a potential new position is really nerve wracking for the job seeker, and rightly so. It could be the job you’ve dreamed of, or be offering you the longed for option of working abroad.

It’s a given that the Employer has the upper hand in these situations whether you’re looking for Sydney jobs, jobs in London, or wherever it is you want to go. They hold the cards and the choice of who to recruit is entirely with them, they will have assessed your credentials and experience next to their job requirements and invited you along to meet you in person.

But how much do YOU know about THEM. How much research and home work have you done behind the scenes to assess their suitability for YOU. In the midst of global economic uncertainty, nobody wants to be wasting their time and energies on an ailing organisation, no matter how big they are, or how slick the brochure.

When it’s time for reference check, don’t forget your own. Joining an organisation that goes belly up only a matter of weeks after you arrived would be soul destroying and set your career trajectory back for sure. It’s only fair to mention that many people made redundant in the current downturn weren’t actually aware their company was in trouble until they were told to clear the desks, so without being Sherlock Holmes, there is only a certain amount of snooping that can be done.

Here are a few tips on what to look for when choosing a new employer, and signs the company isn’t as healthy as it seems:

1. Word of Mouth. How do others within your industry regard the company, what is the level of respect for this business out there in the marketplace?
2. Gut instinct. Follow your heart. If ‘something’ tells you things aren’t right – they probably aren’t. Trust your own intuition.
3. Revolving door. what is the staff turnover ratio and why? Some company’s business model works alongside short term counteract workers. Other companies simply cannot retain staff for a gamut of reasons, and none of them good!
4. Credit worthy.  Depending on your own personal ‘risk’ in accepting a new role, you could even consider obtaining a copy of a company’s’ credit report for  a small cost.

Here’s an excellent presentation by Vidya Center on Interview Tips:

This research will also give you the great opportunity to sniff out the top companies to work for; those with a visible market share and inspirational leadership will become apparent as you do your homework, leaving you in great stead for theta interview!  Good Luck!