JOB HUNTING TECHNIQUES

JOB HUNTING TECHNIQUES

The following are questions/issues you must answer/evaluate before you accept the next job offer.

Do you agree, that the practice of exercising due diligence should only be the function of directors and chief executive officers? If you are job hunting you must do your homework. Read on.

Seek to find out why the vacancy exists. Was your predecessor fired/promoted/demoted? In getting the answer you will determine whether the need to have the position filled is in sync with your developmental/fulfillment needs. Additionally, if the person is available seek to have an audience with them to ascertain the challenges of the position, the feedback loops (both formal and informal), the reporting structure and any other pertinent information that will help you to view the position in more specific terms.

Use your influence to network, ask industry players about the company. Seek to find players who may be business partners, suppliers etc. Find out how the company does business (do they pay their bills on time), how are they viewed in the business to business arena.

Be creative, although most companies have a website, additional information may be garnered by you just calling. Become a mystery shopper, and find out about the products and services of the company. Build a rapport with the customer service representative, you might be surprised as to the wealth of information you may be able to receive from just talking to that rep.

In the interview you may ask about the staff turnover ratio both for line staff and at the managerial level. This may provide some insight into the motivational issues facing the company.

Be prepared to negotiate for the benefits and salary commensurate for the job. That said, know what the industry standards are, as well as the best practices of similar sized organizations.

Do not allow yourself to be cajoled into accepting a job offer that you are not comfortable with. Ask for time, sleep on it, internalize it, and then make your decision. Get objective input from a mentor, a professor etc. If they are not available then just write down all the benefits that you are presently enjoying and match them against the benefits of the proposed job. You may be surprised to find that although the grass may look greener on the other side it actually isn't.


Become comfortable with at least the basic principles of a profit and loss statement. Before you accept an offer you must determine (all things being equal) whether the company is actual operating as a going concern. Public companies are required by law to publish their accounts, private companies on the other hand are not so restricted, but you may perform site visits and see at least a normal day's activity level. Though not scientific it may be used as a gauge.

Although difficult to determine find out the position of the company within its industry. Is it an industry leader, who is its main competitor? What specific market factors affect the company and whether it is technologically driven.

Despite the fact that you may not yet be a Director, start to act the role, perform your due diligence.