Top 3 things you need to know about an employer before applying for that Job
A friend once described employment as dating. For both the recruiter and the candidate, it’s about finding ‘the one’. It’s a complex mix of steps that is mostly not rational. Often recruiters have admitted to having picked an applicant based on ‘gut feeling’ or sometimes other factors that had little to do with you.
Because of the high number of unemployed youth in Africa, sometimes many employers do not put much effort into things like employer branding or good candidate experiences. They receive over 1000 applications per job anyway so why should they? Just like the hot stud who doesn’t have to sweat a dime to get the ladies’ attention. You can /and should tell a lot from a company’s hiring process either way. Because, how companies treat candidates shows how they treat employees. Research also shows that different generations look for different things when applying for a job. Gen Z for instance rate growth opportunities as a top priority from employers.
Recruitment is the first interaction a person often has with a company. And just like how you would go out of your way for your first date, the employer, just like you, should do everything to impress you and you shouldn’t ignore any red flags. But if hiring is like dating then, would you commit the rest of your life to a person you just saw on Tinder? Well, isn’t that what we do as job seekers every time we blindly apply for jobs? Or worse, isn’t that what we do as recruiters when we post jobs with very little information apart from the obvious?
Recruiting is thus often a one-sided relationship where we as recruiters make candidates feel short-handed in the game. They come into the game with all the cards in hand. Adorned in full transparency(well most!)And mostly because of the huge demand for jobs & stability, many report for interviews with a pitiful attitude. Recruiters know this and oftentimes even bully & intimidate candidates since they feel they have the upper hand. In reality, though, both parties possess equal power and it’s all about the negotiation tactics.
Richard Branson : “Hiring the right people takes time, the right questions, and a healthy dose of curiousity.”
Steve Jobs : “Hiring the best is your most important task.”
Bill Gates : “The key for us, number one, has always been hiring smart people.”
These and some more quotes have been mentioned by companies claiming that people are their most important asset. Words such as these are strewn all over their career pages with images of fancy desks and fun team buildings. While it seems some firms are putting more effort into their employer branding actions, sadly in Africa this is still not a priority for Top Management and the case is even worse for employers who turn to recruitment agencies who just quote the famous “Our client is looking for ABC.” So since we’re living in a world of bait headlines and photoshopped selfies, how can you get more information on the employer while you prepare for your interview?
Enter social proof.
Generally, social proof relates to situations in which the actions/choices of others influence our own decisions. According to social psychologist Robert Cialdini, it has a powerful effect on people, serving as valid evidence that it’s okay to do something, if only because others are doing it too.-CrazyEgg
In this day and age where Millenials pour their hearts and minds online, you would do well to ‘check’ with others before you believe anything a job ad will profess. Think for a second if we had a site where before you dated someone, you could find ‘reviews’ from their exes. This is where Glassdoor and social media can help you. Apart from getting ‘general information’ from the company website, review sites like Glassdoor could be a lifesaver for you for the following information that won’t necessarily be relayed in the ad. Glassdoor contains a lot of critical information for you from many parties including industry statistics, the company itself, and past employees. From industry-standard salary ranges for your job grade, interview questions, and answers, and all of the below, these could give you an upper hand during your interview & when thinking about quitting your job.
- Leadership & management
Remember you won’t be working in a silo. This is especially critical if you’re applying for a management or supervisory role. And even if otherwise, Millenials thrive in environments where they can share their ideas and feel they are being heard. That’s the force behind social media. Be sure to check out what previous or current employees have said about management styles in the office and bureaucratic tendencies. A recent review about a company in Africa showed that over 80% of their top management staff had been let go or resigned in unclear circumstances in just 3 years because of clashes with another decision-maker! Now that’s the info you wish you were privy to. Your supervisor & manager have a great impact on your success in the workplace as we’ve shown here.
2. Salaries & Benefits
This can be a definite deal-breaker for all applicants and Gen Z already rate it as the 3rd most important reason to join a company. Even if a recruiter might withhold salary and benefits information in the job ad, make sure to find out as much as you can about pay AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. This might not only help you make your decision(if for instance, the pay is too small, you can opt not to apply at all saving the recruiter time.), but it will also help you discover critical information such as what is the pay divide between bands, how often are salaries reviewed, what kind of benefits are allowed, what taxes incurred and sometimes actual pay for the job you’re applying for. A new mother, for instance, would wish to know about flexible schedules or baby centers at the office. A fitness enthusiast, on the other hand, would want to know if they get unlimited access to the company gym. If it matters to you, find out about it early on.
3. Culture
Described as one of the biggest attractors of millennial employees, it’s not unusual to find many companies like Google posting great pics about their offices or their working conditions. Go out of your way to discover for yourself the actual working conditions in the company such as working hours, uptake of new technology or trends, employee assistance programs, work-life balance, promotions, learning & growth opportunities, performance management, Flexi times, discrimination & diversity agenda, learning & development structures, etc. One review about a well-known NGO in Kenya even had reports of sexual harassment & unfair dismissals. Now, wouldn’t you have wished you knew that before getting in?
Most companies won’t indicate that maybe over 50% of new staff leave every 2 years or that the pay gaps between roles are hugely unfair or discriminatory. Just like a dating profile wouldn’t show the person is a stalker or wife batterer. Sadly in Kenya, we don’t have such a platform like Glassdoor but there is a considerable number of companies using Glassdoor that have been showcased and public information available in social sites & communities. You could just go to a popular Facebook page and ask for reviews about a particular employer. People are willing & ready to share this info.
- Edit/* LinkedIn can also serve as a great resource when you’re preparing for an interview. Look for connections who, if possible, will be in the same department at the Company you’re applying to or have worked there before. You can also check out contacts with the same job title to get a better picture of the job or reach out to your other contacts. Just remember to keep it professional always.
Still looking for more? Combine the information you’ve gathered through this process and compile it into the matrix shared here to check if the employer is worth you.
Take this famous quote from Richard Branson and turn it to reflect you as a candidate. You will be assured of extra points in your interview if you turn up looking well-informed. It will also help you decipher the lies & truths through probing & fact-checking. Happy Dating!
Still looking for more, check out our latest https://medium.com/jobonics/how-to-identify-a-bad-employer-early-on-all-the-red-flags-you-shouldnt-ignore-f7d2f86f1277
