5 Crucial Questions to Ask Every Employer
When you’re looking for a job, you may believe you don’t have much input or power in the decision-making process. So many candidates never hear back from employers, and their resumes get lost in the job application black hole. It’s as if you’re speaking to a brick wall, unable to voice your say in the job search process.
Here’s a secret for you though: You do have a say. Although the job search may seem unpredictable and out of your hands, there are some things you can control, like the types of questions to ask and information you gain from an employer during the interview or before you’re hired.
With that in mind, here are a few crucial questions to ask:
What’s your team dynamic like?
Team dynamic is very important. After all, if you don’t get along with your co-workers or the way you operate doesn’t align with an established routine, it may not be the right fit for you. Ask an employer how their team functions, what the work environment is like, and what skills and traits a newbie absolutely needs to succeed.
Hearing healthy behaviors of the team directly from the employer goes a long way in confirming your trust in the company.
Are professional development opportunities available?
Even if you work for an amazing organization, you should still want to advance as a professional. Particularly after you finish your formal education, resources like professional development become increasingly important as they help you learn new information about your industry.
Evaluate whether or not an organization will be able to provide you with professional development opportunities, like conferences, classes, or mentorship. If not, ask what they can replace formal training with.
Can I work remotely?
Despite the economic downturn in 2020, many businesses found the switch to remote work to be successful. Several are even considering permanent working-from-home options for their employees.
In fact, 90% of organizations said productivity remained the same or even increased during the remote working period of 2020, according to Mercer’s global COVID-19 survey.
Though it may not be company policy, see if it’s an option. Not only can it make you into a better worker, but it can also improve your life in other ways. For example, being remote can foster a healthy work-life balance, offer flexibility, and make room for other interests.
What are some important HR policies?
Every company is different. Some have yearly performance reviews. Some allow unlimited vacation days. A handful of organizations may have a formal advancement policy. Whatever the case may be, ask an employer what their stand-out HR policies are.
In the list of questions to ask, this one might not be top-of-mind for a lot of job seekers. But keep in mind, some policies may not line up with how you want your career or day-to-day life to go. In the end, there shouldn’t be any surprises — so ask about important rules before you take the job.
Is there room for growth?
While you may love a position, there will likely be a time when you want to move up. For example, you may want to be a manager or even CEO one day. Is this a possibility? What roles or skills do you need to have beforehand? How long will it take?
Investigating growth potential, as well as the timeline, is definitely something you need to do before taking on a job. That way, you’ll be able to understand what you’ll have to do to reach your goals before making a commitment.
Having the right questions to ask employers helps you make better decisions, and it also puts some of the power back in your hands. In the job search game, having the upper hand can only help your chances at snagging a job you truly love.
Want even more of a leg up on the competition? Check out: Breaking Into a Competitive Industry: What Job Seekers Need to Know
