| You have your bright, shiny new resume. What | | | | · Is the size or reputation of the company |
| are you going to do with it? If your answer | | | | important to you? |
| is, "look for a job," consider this: You need | | | | |
| to be looking for a company. | | | | · Need the company be "green?" |
| | | | |
| When you look for a job, you're taking a | | | | Then, find out as much as you can about |
| chance that it's with a company that offers | | | | companies and people in your industry. Match |
| no advancement or chance to improve your | | | | your values to the company and people you |
| skills. You may find a job you love to do in | | | | would be working with: |
| a culture that doesn't fit you at all. You | | | | |
| may enjoy the tasks of your job but find the | | | | · What are the opportunities for |
| people impossible to work with. To avoid | | | | advancement? |
| those pitfalls, don't answer ads for jobs. | | | | |
| | | | · Do they demand 24/7 availability? |
| Instead, determine the company and or person | | | | |
| for whom you'd like to work. | | | | · What is their training budget for your |
| | | | department? Do they spend it? On training? |
| Warning: This means homework. | | | | |
| | | | · What is the turnover rate at the |
| First, decide what is important to you: | | | | company? |
| | | | |
| · Do you need a company to be family | | | | · What do employees at your career level |
| friendly? | | | | say about working there? |
| | | | |
| · Is your main goal a high salary? | | | | · How often do they promote people from |
| | | | within? |
| · Is diversity an issue? | | | | |
| | | | · Do they have hiring programs for |
| · Is skills development important? | | | | minorities and women? |
| | | | |
| · How much creativity do you need to be | | | | · What is their management style? |
| able to use? | | | | |
| | | | · How does the company perform compared |
| · How much do you want to be challenged? | | | | with its competitors? |
| | | | |
| · How much job security do you need? | | | | When you've found your answers, compare them |
| | | | and decide which two or three companies rate |
| · Do you need recognition of your | | | | highest in matching your values and needs. |
| accomplishments? | | | | Focus your search on these companies. |
| | | | |
| · Are titles and status important? | | | | This homework also prepares you nicely for an |
| | | | informational interview. (See How to Work a |
| · Is working with certain people or | | | | Resume). You'll be able to impress the hiring |
| certain types of people important to you? | | | | manager with how much you already know about |
| | | | the company, its culture and background. |