How to find a Perfect Employer

Good employers are hard to find, it´s true. 

But with a little forethought, not impossible!

Let´s look at Ten Traits of the Perfect Employer . . .

• Performance and Reward - often a key decison-maker when choosing a new employer.  Check out whether the employer is able to place a good benefits package on the table; for example, healthcare, stock options, gym membership, holiday entitlement, company car etc

• Training - companies that invest time and money in training demonstrate the value they place on their people. Training illustrates that they take a progressive, long-term approach to their employees welfare and skills development

• Flexible working - we all have times when family or personal matters conflict with working hours.  Good employers recognise that flexibility in the workplace offers opportunities for staff to balance more easily their work and personal life-styles

• Career development - good employers know the value of holding regular one-to-one performance appraisals to provide feedback and resolve any concerns. Career planning should be a key part of the process.  Anything less might leave you treading water!

• Culture - everyone can benefit from a culture that is open, communicative and has a concensus style of management.  This in turn encourages creativity, organisational-wide co-operation and a healthy atmosphere

• Caring attitude - linked to culture, this is demonstrated when management at every level takes time to learn and respond positively to the needs, goals and concerns of all their employees

• Best Practice & Integrity - from top management downwards, best practice honesty is a quality that is crucial to building - and retaining - a happy, productive and successful workforce  

• Work environment - an attractive, up-to-date well resourced work environment is an indication of a company´s success and forward-looking mindset

• Operational Systems - that work!  Efficient organisational processes make everyone´s job easier.  They reduce conflict and create the basis for a calm, stress-free environment

• Clearly defined goals - good companies make absolutely clear their mission, vision, goals and values - and have a clear sense of direction that builds confidence

So, when applying for a new job, how can you find out whether the employer fits into the good or bad?

Do your research on the company

Today it is not difficult to research and find out more about a prospective employer. You can search the Internet, visit the company website, speak to people at career fairs, alumni contacts, family and friends.

You can write to the organisationand and request copies of their promotional literature, brochures.  The Dow Jones News Retrieval Service provides online access to a wide range of business databases.

Ask questions at interview

The interview is a two-way process, a time for you to assess whether the company is the right one for you.  A good interviewer will welcome and provide an opportunity for you to ask questions, and take them as a positive indication of your continued interest. 

It is important to ask well thought questions - not questions you could have easily found elsewhere!

Here are a few interview tips.  Select two or three from the following sample questions - but ensure they are appropriate to your particular level . . .

• Why is this position available?
• What is the department´s turnover
• What do you like best about your job?
• How would you describe the work culture
• What IT equipment / software do you use?
• What is the company´s organisational structure?
• What type of person is most successful in your company
• How is the company doing in terms of its goals and objectives?
• What challenges does the company face in the short and long term?
• Has the company plans to change in any respect in the near future?
• What would you say are the company´s strengths and weaknesses?

If you arrive early for the interview, you might have the opportunity to observe people in the work environment.   You can gain a direct insight into the culture by assessing people´s interaction, whether they appear professional, calm and pleasant, or stressed and harrassed.  You might even have the chance to ask a few questions, for example . . .

• What do you like most about working here?
• What is it like to work in your department?
• How long have you been working here?
• Would you say the company is a good place to work?
• What do you personally like most about working here?

So when conducting job interviews, have your own clearly defined expectations!  Know what you need to know, ask the questions and leave sufficiently informed to make the right decisions when it comes to accepting or declining the job offer.

At the end of the interview  you could ask whether they have any feedback and what the next stage is - this will demonstrate your interest in the job

If you would like any further help in preparing for interviews,

we offer one-to-one interview advice tailored to the job in question

– for the all inclusive fee of 120 GBP

Like to learn more?  For a free initial consultation to discuss your requirements

call 0871 218 1005 (UK) or +34 965 771 175 (Spain) or send an email