Many people on a job hunting journey find the job they want and then go all out to get hired. However, in doing this, there is one significant oversight. When people apply for the job they want, they don’t always consider if it’s the right company for them. Finding the right company for you is as important as finding the right job for you. Some argue that finding the right company is even more important than finding the perfect job. So what does it take to ensure that you identify the right job but also pinpoint the right company that will be invaluable to your career development and your professional and personal happiness?

Understand Yourself

One of the key elements of applying for the right jobs is to get a better insight into your skills and strengths. The other side of the equation that will help you to find the right company to work for relates to your values. Your personal and professional values may be completely different. If you are looking for a higher salary, be aware that companies that pay exceptionally well are often very demanding of their staff. 

You have to understand that what you want from a company and what you can bring to the table for that company must be in alignment. When you know your values and long-term career goals, you can find an organization that will give you that perfect short and long-term fit.

Consider Not Going for the Perfect Role

You may be selling yourself short by looking for the right job, but not necessarily the right company for you. You may have goals to progress up the career ladder, but can you sacrifice not having your ideal job in the wrong company right now to work in an organization that values its employees? Researching the right company for you can guide you more toward how your skills can best serve them, especially the companies that have a wide variety of jobs to offer. Platforms such as Glassdoor are invaluable in this process. 

You might find an ideal role that excites you, but have a complete change of heart once you read a Glassdoor unfavorable review that gives you insight into how the company operates. It can be frustrating to find yourself considering a role that is potentially beneath your skill set, but sometimes, it pays to look at the big picture. Finding the right organization that genuinely looks after its employees is worth more than finding the right role right now that you will want to leave in a year because of a highly pressurized or toxic work environment. 

Look for those organizations that consistently win awards. In the healthcare sector, the Jones Healthcare Group won the 2022-23 WILL Award, which recognizes an individual, group, or company that makes a contribution to support newcomer job seekers. Ensuring you can put your ego aside and find the right company for you could serve you well in the long run.

Look at the Current Employee Roster

If you desire to find the right company, you must do some detective work. LinkedIn is an excellent platform for this purpose. It doesn’t just help you to understand the company, but it also allows you to understand the employees and whether you can fit in with their overall approach to work. It also provides you with several different insights. 

If you see many employees who have been with the company for more than two years, this is a good sign that they are happy to work there. Typically, people will look to change careers after two years, and some look to progress after one year. When you look at the current employee roster, you will see the type of people that are part of the culture. The organization’s culture is one of the critical components to ensure that you can find an organization that aligns with your values. Completing your LinkedIn research and then reviewing data on those employees and their backgrounds will also give you a better insight into how you can tailor your application to the company’s needs. 

If you find someone whose skillset is similar to yours, there is absolutely nothing wrong with reaching out and asking them for advice. The worst thing they can say is “no.” Reaching out to someone, especially if the HR manager is on LinkedIn, will also help you to get a feel for the company. A few messages back and forth will cement your decision on whether you should apply to work for them or not. If feasible, you can achieve the same by messaging the person and asking for a phone conversation. 

If you are looking for more background about the role and the organization itself, reaching out to someone in the role or a similar one allows you to speak to someone on the front line, solidifying whether the position or company are a fit for you. You may or may not get a response; however, if you are genuinely interested in pursuing further, do not rule things out because of that. There may be extenuating circumstances; for example, they are incredibly busy, on vacation, or simply uncomfortable speaking with a stranger about their job.

Use the Interview Process

If there’s one mistake people can make about the interview process, it’s that they try to make themselves fit in with the company and, therefore, don’t use the interview process as a way to get more insight about the company. When they ask you if you have any questions, be prepared to ask some thoughtful questions about their values, mission statement, team structure, and how they support employee goals. 

The interview should give you an insight into whether the company’s values align with yours. You can also use the interview process to ask about team dynamics, the company culture, and those critical values that will solidify in your mind if they are worth working for. Remember, you could be offered the job but are not obligated to take it. You will also see some indication of whether they prioritize employee well-being and professional development through your LinkedIn detective work. 

Do they Offer Trial Periods or Internships?

Finding the right company for you can be a lengthy process. While many people don’t have the opportunity to step into such relationships, inquire about trial periods, contract work, or internships if interested. Either of these options affords you the opportunity to explore from the inside out without making a long-term commitment.

Address the Perks

While you need to identify if those values align with your own, you should also consider the potential for career advancement. Many organizations encourage growth from within, which may be a reason to consider an opportunity that is a level below your current skillset if there are no current openings on or above your level. Yes, the compensation may be less than you’d prefer. However, it’s about recognizing the impact of the short-term sacrifice for the long-term benefit. The right company that fits your needs will nurture employee growth and development. 

Additionally, you should evaluate those benefit packages and recognize that it’s not just about salary but about everything else as well. There could be performance bonuses in addition to the salary, as well as a highly competitive 401K or pension contribution. Perks and base pay are important but always consider the compensation package on a grander scale in your search to find the right company for you.

Trust Your Gut

We can find a job that is perfect for us, but we can also easily overlook the company because we are set on a specific career path or a certain set of duties. The research process is critical because when you begin to go through Glassdoor or LinkedIn and find certain red flags, you shouldn’t ignore them, but consider them in relation to your overarching goals. 

Sometimes, we get so caught up in pursuing a particular job that we overlook our gut instincts. It’s important to listen to these feelings. We can be determined to find something that pays an amazing salary, but an amazing salary doesn’t necessarily mean an amazing job. 

We all have certain thresholds that we’d like to meet in life, and when it comes to finding a job that you will love, it is so important to remember that it’s not just about the title or salary but about ensuring that a company is the right fit for you. When your ultimate goal is to find the right company for you, that accomplishment will be a defining factor in your overall career happiness.