Choosing your next employer could prove to be difficult. In today’s economic situation and human resources market there are numerous possibilities both for employees and employers. Yet, long lives the myth that employers are those who place the requirements and do the choosing.

Actually, skilled and experienced experts are hard to find and often have more employment possibilities, than companies have adequate job applicants. In that spirit, make sure to be in the role of the decider next time you pick a new employer instead of just waiting to be chose.

Research your employer to be

Naturally, the first step in deciding upon your future employment is researching the company you are thinking about joining. You could do that through the information the company has provided, such as the company’s website, fliers, recruitment campaigns, social media profiles.

You should also gather some firsthand experience both from present and past employees of the company. That way you will be able to create a more accurate picture of the actual situation and work conditions.

Information provided by the employer

When researching the information provided by the employer you must be suspicious. Company resumes are the same as job applicant’s resumes – they feature all the best qualities and none of the negative once.

Read between the lines and make sure that you interpret all of the company’s values and objectives two-sided. For example, if the company likes to present itself as a very law abiding and correct employer, this probably means that hand in hand with a correct payment you will get some lack of flexibility when it comes to extra bonuses or personal issues. Same goes for any other value specifically stated by the company.

Information provided by the employees

Now that you are familiar with the company’s side, make sure to check out the other side – the stories of employees. It is best if you could do that first-person, because second-hand information is usually transmitted somewhat distorted and websites for employer reviews usually future only comments by frustrated ex-employees, which are doubtful at best.

Make sure to contact both past and present employees and choose trustworthy and down-to-earth people. Make a list in advance with questions you would like to ask.

Interview the interviewer

Another common believe is that at the job interview the applicant is the only one, who is supposed to answer questions and cover some criteria, when actually companies must do the same.

While the interviewer is assessing your qualities, you should also assess company’s qualities and whether those cover your requirements. Make sure to both openly and subtly make the interviewer answer your questions regarding the working process, conditions and environment.

The employer trial period

The fact that most countries maintain work legislation, which includes a trial period proves that even the best match-making recruitment tactics could fail. The only precise mode to assess if a new employee is a good match for the company and vice versa is to check that out in the real working environment.

Sometimes a week is enough to find out whether you and your next employer are a fit, but other times longer is needed. Usually, up to three months are enough for both to assess the good and bad parts of the working process and to decide upon making the working arrangement permanent or breaking it off.

Find more useful tips in the second part of our guide “How to Choose Your Next Employer”.