Amanda Rose: How to choose the right employer for you

When applying for jobs, the right employer and work environment is often more important than the role itself.

Amanda Rose says the right employer is often more important than the role itself. Picture: Monique Harmer

Job interviews are as much about getting to know the employer as they are about letting the employer get to know you, but a lot of people don’t take that approach.

We need to change the way we think about our careers.

Obviously you need a job to pay bills, but whether it's a chef or CEO role, you want to work somewhere that you will enjoy it.

We spend the majority of our time at work, so we want to make sure we agree with the employer’s ethics and branding and like the people and environment.

Find out about the company and who they are – and not just from their website.

Google them.

Have they been in the news? What do they advocate for? Which charities do they sponsor? Do some recon work.

If it’s a cafe or a front-facing business, go in and visit like you are a mystery shopper.

What’s the feel, what’s the atmosphere?

They say “a fish rots from the head down”, but it also works in reverse, meaning if there is a positive attitude from the top you will feel it all the way through.

If you want to apply for a job at a cafe, visit first and get a feel for the team culture. Picture: iStock

You need a checklist because what is important in an organisation will be different for everyone.

Do your research then if you get to the interview, stage the employer will know you picked them because it is a right fit.

Tell them you did your research and that is why you are applying for the role – it shows that you are a good culture fit.

Choosing the right employer is often more important than the specific role.

You can always work your way up and take on more projects if you have the right employer and a supportive place to work.

Alternatively, you can have the ideal job but if you are in a horrible organisation you will still want to quit.

Job interviews are an opportunity to work out if the employer is a fit for you. Picture: iStock

You can achieve a lot more in a supportive environment than in a role you think is right for you, but the environment sucks.

If the job ad you are looking at does not list who the employer is, I advise to contact the recruitment company and ask.

If they say they cannot tell you, you can go through the first stage of the application process then find out and make the decision.

Amanda Rose is a business consultant, workplace trainer, LinkedIn influencer and founder of six organisations – and now she is tackling your career questions for SMART Daily every week.

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Originally published as Amanda Rose: How to choose the right employer for you