You get all excited to apply for a job, you go for the interview, they extend a job offer, and you hesitate. What if it’s the wrong move? What if you end up hating it? Did you ask all the right questions? Don’t worry — this part of the process is totally normal. Of course you want to be sure you’re making the right decision before committing to your next big career move. Here are a few things to find out about your future employer before saying “yes” to that offer.
1. How the Human Resources Department Is Run
Once upon a time, human resources departments were little more than rooms with paychecks and check registers. The term “human resources” was kind of an oxymoron as there were very few resources for the humans who worked at a company. Even once HR started growing, you often didn’t get much resolution when you sought help as an employee. Happily, times have changed greatly, and now an HR department can be your biggest ally in the workplace.
Whereas HR used to be the place that ran timesheets and produced paychecks, many companies now have a PEO for that. Instead, HR departments are now the place where employees can turn for resolution of conflicts, help with advancement, and questions about leaves of absence. The HR department also maintains the corporate culture by holding team members accountable to the company mission. So, get to know the people in HR.
2. What the Corporate Culture Is Like
Speaking of corporate culture, it can be hard to tell what a company is like from the outside. The interview may go great, your HR person may be kind, and everything seems in order. But after you accept the job offer and start, you discover that the actual work environment on a daily basis is toxic. People are rude, managers are bullies, and growth is near impossible. It’s a terrible letdown, and being blindsided by a toxic workplace can have you quitting within a week.
The first step is obviously to get to know the people in HR, which will give you a gut sense of how things are run. The next step you can take is to review the company’s website to see its mission, vision, and values. Typically, companies will try to live up to their stated values. Take these steps even further by reading online reviews by current and former employees. Sites like LinkedIn and GlassDoor will give you insight into how team members really feel.
3. What Type of L&D Is Available
One of the greatest predictors of employee satisfaction is the opportunity for growth. Still, many companies haven’t caught up to this reality and don’t have many options. Executives may tell you all you have to do is work hard to advance, but that’s not a clear path. Worse, if you work for a small company with limited positions and long-time employees, growth options might not even be possible for years or decades.
Progress is a key part of happiness, and you want to be happy at work, so figure out what kind of progress is available to you. Does the company take an “agile” approach to performance management? In this model, employees are empowered, educated, and informed. Your career growth matters, and you’ll be able to track it with your managers and with HR. You should also have the option to take classes in your field as part of your work with the company.
4. How Much Autonomy You’ll Have
Micromanagement is seldom good for anyone. It’s annoying for managers, who feel like babysitters for incapable adults. It’s frustrating for employees, who know they can do a great job if just left alone to do it. It can hinder innovation, growth, and performance, and you don’t want to work in a place that encourages a hierarchical, authoritative, micromanaging atmosphere. You’ll likely end up feeling less than satisfied at work in a short time.
So, make sure to ask your interviewer, your potential manager, and your HR representative how much autonomy you’ll have at work before accepting a job offer. You can also find information about autonomy and empowerment in those online reviews you’re checking. Ask about how projects are assigned, how tasks are delegated, and what kinds of meetings and check-ins you’ll have. The goal is to have a supportive manager who acts as a guide rather than a “boss.”
5. What Type of Commute, Telecommute, or Remote Options You’ll Have
Since the pandemic, more people have realized that going to the office is often unnecessary. Sure, some workplaces require your physical presence — restaurants, retail, and other customer-facing locations. But when it comes to office jobs, why can’t your office be at home, at least part of the time? It can save you time, money, and wasted energy spent at work milling about the water cooler and having meetings that could have been emails.
Ask your potential employer what types of options are available to you for working from home. Many companies have also come to realize that the overhead to maintain a full-time staff at the office is larger than necessary. You may be able to come into the office only one or two days a week for essential meetings. Just knowing that your employer is flexible about your commute can help you determine the overall corporate culture and mentality about employee autonomy.
In the end, you may still have many questions for your potential employer before accepting a job offer. It’s a big decision to make, and you want to join a company you can feel good about working with for years to come. Now is the time to take the initiative and ask the pressing questions. That way, once you take the big leap, you’ll know you did everything in your power to pave the path for a positive career move.
