How to Research Employers – Before and During the Hiring Process
Finding an employer that meets all of your personal requirements is not easy. Coupled with the fact that often employers themselves are not very good at selling the company to candidates, so it can be hard to get a feeling of what your day to day working life will be like.
The built environment sector offers the full spectrum of employer types, from local authorities and government departments in the public sector and everything from SME consultancies to tier one global contractors on the private side. Thorough research can help you reduce the risk of making a bad decision, and maximise the chance of you finding a team and/or organisation which aligns with your professional goals and values; that provides the learning and development opportunities you want or need to progress, and the working environment that makes Mondays the best day of the week!
Here’s a guide to effectively researching potential employers to ensure you're making the right choice.
Reputation matters.
Start by looking into the company's reputation within its industry sector. Speaking to your network is the best place to start. Try and ask pointed questions which will quickly ascertain the source of information so you can establish what information is authentic and what might be outdated or misreported. You don’t want to dismiss an employer based on just one or two opinions, so cast the net as wide as possible. Online, review sites and industry forums can unearth information that may not be easy to find elsewhere.
Culture is key.
A company's culture impacts your job satisfaction and your overall wellbeing at work. Visit the company’s website and social media pages to understand their values, mission, and purpose. Look for diversity and inclusion policies, community involvement, and employee testimonials. If possible, speak with current or former employees to get a first hand account of the environment.
Websites such as Glassdoor and Indeed offer employee reviews that provide insights into the culture, management style, and overall employee satisfaction. Pay attention to recurring themes in the reviews, both positive and negative. Additionally, check the company's LinkedIn page for endorsements and updates, which can give you a sense of their market standing and employee engagement.
Employee benefits that work for you.
Beyond salary, consider the benefits the company offer. Private healthcare, pension contributions, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional development can significantly impact your decision. These benefits often reflect how much a company values its employees, but also the small things that are important to you can make a big difference to the way you interact and value your employer in return. Job postings, the company’s career page, and review websites usually provide this information. If you are going through a recruiter they will be able to give you the most comprehensive information, so ask for as much detail as they can provide. They can also benchmark against comparable organisations so you can enter the recruitment process knowing what is reasonable to expect.
Understanding learning and progression.
A good employer should invest in the growth of their employees. Look at careers pages and social media for evidence of training programmes, mentorship schemes, and clear career progression paths. During the interview process, don’t hesitate to ask about the typical career trajectory within the company and the opportunities for advancement. Ask for examples of other employees who have worked their way through the organisation. Looking at the LinkedIn profiles of current employees and getting some sort of idea about progression and internal movement as well as average tenure is a good place to start.
Look to the future.
Leadership plays a critical role in shaping a company's culture and success. Research the backgrounds of key leaders in the organisation. Look for news articles, interviews, and professional achievements. A strong leadership team can inspire confidence in the company's future and create a positive work environment. Google is your best friend here, but you are not just looking for evidence of past successes. Research recent and notable projects to gauge the company’s expertise and innovation in their field and get an idea of future revenue streams. The company’s portfolio and case studies on their website can provide valuable insights, and if they aren’t included on their website, then a great question during the interview process is why it was so hard to find out this information!
Your recruitment partner is the best placed to pass on all of the information you need to make an informed choice. However, almost all the information you are looking for is available online, through career pages, main brand websites, review sites, company or employee social media and press coverage.
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