When you’re looking for a career you’ll love, there are two major components to explore:
- The actual job role you’ll do.
- The employer you work with.
Sometimes you can find the perfect job role – but end up working for an employer who isn’t such a great fit. You might have already experienced this yourself if you’ve just entered the workforce!
You might rock up to an interview and realise the job description was a bit too much like a dodgy dating profile: a bit exaggerated and definitely mismatched with reality.
So, how do you know whether there will be real compatibility? We’ve got a few tips to help you out.
5 Ways to Ensure it’s a Workplace Match
You know if one of your friends says they’re dating someone new, and you all decide to do some detective work to see what you can learn about them online? Well, making sure an employer is a great match is kind of the same!
There are lots you can learn at the interview and when researching a company – when you know what to look out for:
1.There’s a consistent understanding about the role and where it will sit within the business.
There’s nothing worse than rocking up to an interview, thinking you know exactly what you’re being interviewed for, only to be blindsided with questions that don’t match the job description.
Consistency between your expectations, the job description, and what the interviewers are looking for is a good sign that the company know what they’re looking for. It also means you’ll be hired to do the role you apply to, not a random mish-mash of other tasks that no one else wants to take on.
Red Flag: The interview panel asks questions that don’t align with the job description or your experience, and you find yourself questioning why you were invited to an interview!
2. Past employees have good things to say about the company.
Platforms like SEEK and Glassdoor allow previous employees to rate and leave reviews about different companies and their various departments. It’s a great way to get insight into what working for a company is like.
When checking to see if the company is a good match, it can be helpful to consider these reviews.
Red Flag: It’s normal for a company to have one or two bad reviews (not every workplace is for everyone), but if they have consistently low ratings and poor reviews, it’s worth considering them when deciding whether to accept a role.
3. Ask the interview panel about how they like to give feedback.
As a new employee learning the ropes, knowing how you will be provided with feedback and opportunities to learn and grow as you first get started is essential.
It’s a great question to ask at the interview and get an idea of what the interview panel have to say. Their responses can be very telling, and you ideally want to hear they have a strong process for feedback across teams, especially new starters.
Red Flag: The interview panel cannot advise how they give feedback or seem thrown by the question – it seems clear they don’t prioritise feedback.
4. There’s a strong sense of balance throughout the application and interview process.
From the outset, your application and interview process feels smooth and organised. There’s an understanding and flexibility about agreeing on a suitable interview time and date, and you’re given plenty of time to prepare.
All your communication with the company and various staff is friendly and natural, and you don’t feel left in the dark about what to expect when you attend your interview.
Red Flag: Feeling pressured to commit to a last-minute interview or provide a presentation or business plan before the interview is not a good sign that the company understands how demanding an interview can be. It could also indicate how they treat staff once they work for them.
5. They pass the vibe check.
Overall, you get a perfect vibe from all your encounters with the company!
After attending the interview, you feel like you were able to represent yourself and your suitability fairly and felt respected throughout. Even if you don’t get the job, you wouldn’t hesitate to apply for future opportunities with the company if they arise.
Red Flag: If something about the whole process and interview feels off in your gut, or you can’t put your finger on why it didn’t ‘feel right’, it’s worth reflecting a little more – it might not be the suitable workplace for you at this time.
Green Flags All Round!
We know that sometimes you’ll just need a job, and turning down a paid opportunity despite the employer not passing the ‘vibe check’ at the interview isn’t an option.
But there will be times when waiting a little longer for the right employer makes a significant difference in your career confidence and growth.
Knowing what to look out for is an excellent place to start finding all those green flags that let you know you’re onto a good thing.
If you’re ready to find your next career-compatible workplace, our exclusive Employer Profiles and Jobs Board are the perfect place to start.
