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How to tell if a company is right for you

Written by: Allison Webster - StarMetroland Media
Published on: May 30, 2019

Finding the perfect job for you isn’t just about matching your credentials with a job description on an ad – it’s about finding the right fit. This is a two-way street. When employers are reviewing potential candidates for a job, they’re of course checking that each person has the right education and experience to perform well in the role, but they’re also looking for clues about who each of these people are and deciding whether they’ll fit in.

Fitting in at a job isn’t about popularity or even likeability, but more about work style and overall attitude and comfort level. Quite often, whether or not someone will mesh well in the working environment isn’t discovered until the interview process.

A job might sound like a dream on paper, but until you’re in the environment, speaking with employees and getting a feel for the place, you can’t really know for sure.

Ask questions

Your resume is what will get you the interview, but what will be the true test of your compatibility is the interview process. While the interviewer will ask you a whole host of questions, don’t pass on the opportunity to ask some questions of your own. Ask about the work environment. Is it a collaborative workplace, or is there an emphasis on independent projects? Ask how many other employees work there and how big your team or department is. Knowing yourself and how you fare in different situations will help you decide if this is the right fit for you.

You should also ask about dress code and other workplace expectations. This will help you determine whether you will be comfortable in the work environment. Some people prefer a casual environment; others like a professional workplace with higher expectations.

Look around

When you visit the office or workplace for your interview, or you have an opportunity to go there beforehand (if it’s a retail store or restaurant, for example), be very observant. Sure, you might be nervous about the interview, but try to look around and picture yourself working there.

Did anyone greet you when you came in? Did you feel good about that exchange? Can you see current employees working? Do they look content? When you picture yourself working there, does that make you feel happy or anxious? These feelings matter.

Everyone has their own comfort level. While you shouldn’t necessarily turn down a job if it doesn’t meet every single one of your expectations, you can and should take your gut reaction into account when making your final decision.

Before you can get an interview, you first need to find a job to apply for! Use LocalWork.ca to search for jobs in your field!

 

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