We often assume that the employer of a business possesses all the power when it comes to hiring. However, the potential employees have just as much power when it comes to deciding which organisation they want to work for.

If a business doesn’t have the best reputation or messes up the hiring procedures, then that could deter a candidate from either applying or accepting the job when offered it.

Things like reputation, culture, and dynamics of a workplace are all important factors when considering a job position with a new employer. In fact, 84% of recruiters report that a culture fit is a key factor when hiring. So what things should you be considering when choosing a new employer?

In this guide, we’ll share some of the top things you should be looking for when approaching a new employer and how finding the right employer can benefit your career prospects.

Why is it important to find the right employer?

As a human living in the world we live in now, a lot of society will work for the majority of their lives in order to retire and enjoy what is hopefully a healthy and enjoyable period of life. With most working for the majority of their life, it’s important that you enjoy the job that you do.

Workplace happiness is a big one not only for employers but for employees too. In order to remain in a position for the long term, it’s important that you’re enjoying yourself. Of course, not everyone sticks in the same position or company forever. Some may move on after a number of years for a new challenge or move due to a lack of enjoyment in the current organization.

As an employee, you want to find an employer who you’ll get on with, that provides the right working environment for your needs and is going to be encouraging for you to stick around for more than just a year or two. When you’re able to recognize and identify those characteristics of a good employer, don’t be surprised if you stay in that company for a while!

6 things to consider when choosing a new employer

What should you be considering when it comes to choosing a new employer? Whether you’re just stepping onto the job market or you’re looking for a new employment venture, here are a few things to factor in when choosing new employment.

1.  Company reputation.

What is the company's reputation like? Are they considered one of the best in their industry or do they have a long list of bad reviews made by previous employees on a recruitment site? It’s important to do the research and to consider what reputation the business has.

This is important as an employee as you might be conscious of who you’re working for and whether or not they align with your personal beliefs. There are certainly some companies out there that have a bad name and continue to exist. You may personally not care about reputation but it’s one that should be considered if it’s going to influence your career decisions.

Looking up a company’s reputation is easy and can be done with a quick Google search. It’s always advised to do a bit of background research when looking for a new job.

2.  The benefits offered within your employment package.

Your employment package is one that you should be considering when it comes to a new employer. What employee reward scheme do they offer current staff and is it something that could influence your decision when joining a number company?

Whilst it’s important to be appreciative of the pay that you get from a job, a lot of businesses go further and offer benefit packages that help to encourage new candidates to say yes to the job, rather than going to one of their competitors instead.

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Some job advertisements might detail the benefits offered or they might not tell candidates until the interview stages. Regardless, it’s something that you should ask about when it’s possible.

3.  What are the working hours like?

Your working hours are often dependent on what you need and want from a job. The more hours you do, the more money you tend to earn. However, you may not be someone who wants a typical 9-5 job. It could be that you’re looking for self-employed or freelance work where you can control the hours that you work.

When approaching a job listing, take a closer look at the type of contract you’re being offered and how many hours are expected of you. This can also be relevant when it comes to working in an office environment or a remote role which means you can work from home or from any location you see fit.

It’s important that your work fits around your life prospects and needs, not necessarily the other way around.

4.  The company dynamic and culture.

Settling into a new company is always a little daunting, whether it’s your first time on the career ladder or not. With that being said, it’s important to assess the company dynamic and culture. This is something that can be assessed both through the interview process and by doing your own research online.

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What type of dynamic is the working environment when you first enter the building for your interview? Pay close attention to everything and don’t be afraid of getting chatty with anyone that you’re introduced to. It can be a good way of getting familiar with the organization as a whole.

During the interview process, you may be able to ask what opportunities are offered when it  comes to corporation social responsitiblty programs, as this can be an insight into the type of company culture they offer. They have may have the best CSR software in place or they might not have anything in place at all.

5.  Stability of the company.

There are lots of job opportunities out there but not all of them are going to be secure. There might be some companies where it’s stability isn’t as good as you would hope. For some, it might be they’re a new start-up or in the infancy of it’s business and therefore there’s more risk that the company might fold if something goes wrong.

You could be choosing between a company like that and one which is well established and is secure in it’s position financially as a business. As you go through your career, you may seek more stability in your job when you’re responsibilities grow.

6.  Opportunities for career growth.

For career progression, you might be influenced by an employer who can offer you opportunities for growth within the business. Rather than just sticking with the same job role and responsibilities, the employer might mention the opportunity to climb the ladder within the business, if that’s something you’d like to do.

It’s worth asking if this is something that’s possible and whether it influences your decision to take a job or not.

How to ace every job application and interview in 2022

With all the knowledge you need to pick the best employer for you, how do you guarantee more opportunities for the job applications you apply for and interview in 2022? Here are a few helpful tips that might be useful.

Tailor your resume for each job application

When it comes to your resume, make sure that you’re considering the job application and how you can tweak the resume to tick off all the boxes of what the business is looking for. That’s going to give you a better opportunity of securing an interview first and foremost.

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Know the company

Understanding the company and knowing what they do is going to be very helpful when it comes to the interview process. Not having knowledge of the company in it’s most basic information is what will likely cause you to fall at the first hurdle of the interview. A lack of knowledge can mean a lack of interest in the company offering the job role.

Listen and show interest

Be sure to show interest and to listen to the individuals who are giving the interviews. The interviewers will be attentive to your responses and how you listen to what they’re saying. They may test you on things they say so it’s important to listen and be fully engaged in the interview from start to finish.

Choose a new employer that suits you and your career prospects

When choosing a new employer, be sure to take all of the advice above and take your time when it comes to finding your next job venture. You don’t want to rush into anything that’s not going to be the best match for you or your needs.