In November I switched jobs. This post features a list of questions I asked myself and the possible new employers before I decided on the new job.
Switching jobs can have different reasons. I was lucky as I decided for myself to switch, so I could take my time to find a new employer and tried not to rush myself. I felt privileged because I didn’t have any difficulties to be invited to job interviews.
Nevertheless, job interviews mirror only a small extract of the working reality: Normally both sides try to represent themselves as glory and shiny as possible. Consequently, it will always be a bet when deciding on a new employer (or a new employee). The whole truth mostly reveals only 6 to 9 months after starting on a new job.
There is nothing much you can do about that.
Accept it, try to ask the right questions and carefully listen to the answers in the job interviews.
The following questions I either asked myself or the possible new employers during the job interviews. Finding the answers helped me with my final decision.
- How was I treated as a job candidate? (How long was the reaction time on my application?
- How was I treated before the first, second and last job interview?)
- How is the company evaluation on kununu.com? What’s the general image of the company?
- How big is the new challenge?
- Could the company clearly define the expected job duties?
- How much Change Agent vs. Project Manager vs. Agile Coach is asked for?
- Is the company’s vision and mission clear and was it mentioned in the job interview? (Do I like it?)
- Do I like the company’s product(s)? Do I understand them?
- How much budget is there for future training?
- How much fun can I expect?
- What impression did I get from my future colleagues?
- Can I get more inside information from ex-staff members? Maybe even the person who formerly executed the job?
- How authentic was the impression of the company during the job interview?
- How many leave days?
- Is there a company pension plan or something comparable?
- What’s my impression of the company’s building? About the working space? (Also a view of the restrooms can tell a lot…)
- How much money will I earn?
- What’s my perspective in this job in 1 or 2 years?
- What’s the decision when I listening to my heart?
There is one outstanding question I would advise everyone to ask and then do:
Can I work for 1 or 2 days at your company?
The reaction on this question itself should already tell you a lot about the company…
I spent a day at two potential new employers and it helped me a lot with my decision: When spending a day or two with your potential new employer you will notice a lot of things you will never see during a job interviews. The observations help you to find better answers to the questions above…
During the time of the job interviews I also read “Decisive” from the Heath Brothers. They introduce the WRAP process to make better decisions: Widen Your Options, Reality-Test Your Assumptions, Attain Distance Before Deciding, Prepare To Be Wrong.
Definitely a good reading when you are switching jobs… 🙂
Please let me know if you found this post helpful. If you have any remarks or more questions that could help, feel free to leave a comment below.