From the job seeker’s point of view, a job search can often seem like a one-way process. After all, if you’re the one applying for a position, then you’re the one under scrutiny. And you’re the one hoping to meet the expectations of hiring managers who may or may not like what they see when they look over your background.

But it’s in your best interest to keep the process moving in two directions. After all, you’ll be dedicating your skills, time, talent and resources to this organization. And beyond a paycheck, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting something back. How does the company measure up to YOUR expectations? On what criteria should you base your decision? And if it’s better to pass on an offer, how can you tell? Here are a few things to look for as you compare your options.

Like-Minded Coworkers and Mentor Access

How will you get along with the people who work here? Are you a match? It may not be easy to tell based on a single interview, but do your best to make an educated guess. If you’re a working parent and a team player, stop and think before you commit to a company full of hyper-competitive single people who stay at work till midnight, and vice versa.

The availability of mentors may also influence your decision. Great mentors can help you make connections and support your professional growth, but not all companies provide or encourage this model.

Security

Where is this company headed three, five and ten years into the future? Is this a promising start-up or an established multi-national corporation? The answer may affect your sense of long term job security. If layoff rumors are likely to sweep through this place every few months, will you be able to adapt?

Room for Growth

If you enter this firm at a certain level, when will you be able to climb to the next rung of the ladder? Find out what your advancement options are and whether or not the company will support your progress. If there’s only one position above you and that person isn’t leaving any time soon, you’ll need to factor that into your long term plans.

A Comfortable Work Environment

Does this company share your values and your general approach to life? Will you be respected here, and will you respect your employers and the enterprise in general? Think carefully. Your quality of life depends on more than just a paycheck. There are few situations more rewarding than a job you love, surrounded by coworkers you respect, regardless of how much money you’re making. It’s the days, hours and minutes you spend here that will determine your future happiness or misery. So be honest with yourself. Feel free to turn the tables, ask questions, and put the employer under the microscope before you sign on. For additional advice and guidance with the job search process, contact your local employment staffing service in Connecticut at Merritt Staffing today.

For the last five years or so, there’s been plenty of buzz about social media and its potential seismic impact on every aspect of our lives. Some marketers naturally exaggerate the influence of Facebook and Twitter, because it stimulates businesses competition for social media advertising space. But can social sites really make or break your job prospects? Let’s take a closer look.

Professional networking sites like LinkedIn can certainly help you – as well as your associates and allies—when it comes to passing names along to companies and people who are hiring. If your friend knows a hiring manager and she scribbles your name and phone number on a cocktail napkin for him, that’s networking. But if she can simply introduce the two of you on LinkedIn, he’ll be able to review your profile and all of your qualifications in a professional setting at a single glance. That’s super networking.

Facebook profiles and twitter feeds may also have impact on your job search, since they can allow you to broadcast your needs to a large audience of friends who may be able to help you. They may have a negative impact as well, since some hiring managers have been known to skim Facebook and Twitter profiles as part of their selection process. Just in case, it’s a good idea to make sure your privacy settings are well controlled, so potential employers can only see text and images that cast you in a professional light.

It’s a mistake to conduct your entire job search via the internet and expect positive, immediate results. The most valuable networking happens in real life, and it begins when you pick up the phone and arrange meetings with people who can help you. Don’t overestimate the power of any social networking site, and certainly don’t sit back and expect your profile to find a job for you. In spite of the buzz, LinkedIn usage is by no means universal, and Facebook may be popular, but it’s not where busy professionals spend most of their time.

There’s a chance your profile could harm your prospects, but the dangers of social media, as well as the benefits, may be somewhat overblown. Examining Facebook profiles during the job selection process is a questionable and controversial move that most reputable employers would rather avoid.

Want help with making your social media profile shine? Contact a staffing company in Connecticut at Merritt Staffing for more information.