The job search is one of the most stressful experiences for any employee. Regardless of how long you’ve been working in your field, preparing for a new role can be difficult and challenging from a personal standpoint as much as it is from a professional one. When you’re ready to make the leap and transition into a new role with another company, it can be challenging to know where to start. First, you need some clarity on what will help you get there. An informed job search helps you understand what’s available, who’s hiring, and how you can best sell yourself to these potential employers. Once that awareness is there, here are four types of companies that are great if you’re considering your next career move.
A Company You Can Grow With
If you’re looking for your next company, you want to be sure it’s a place that’s good for growing your career. You can likely find a tenure job at any company, but if you want to truly flourish in your career, you need to choose a place you’re excited about working for. Ask yourself, what are the biggest challenges in your field? What are the top trends that you see changing the game? How do these things intersect with your company’s mission, vision, and core values? Getting curious about the company, its purpose, and its challenges can help you determine if it’s a place you want to be long-term.
A Company That Will Challenge You
This is a company that challenges you to be better at what you do. This is a place where you feel stimulated by your work and the people around you. You feel inspired to go above and beyond because the work is interesting and relevant to you, the team is supportive and engaging, and your manager is invested in your success. You want to be challenged at work, but you also want to be challenged in a positive way. Find a place that wants to truly invest in your success and delivers on it. Look for signs that your manager is truly interested in helping you succeed, whether it’s by making time to talk with you, providing feedback, or offering opportunities to learn and grow.
A Company That Supports Professional Development
At every stage of your career, you should be supported in your professional development. You should feel like you’re growing and progressing as a person and employee, and this company wants to support you in that journey. If you’re looking for a long-term career opportunity, you want to be sure the company has your professional development as a core value. Look for signs that your company actively supports your professional development. Does it offer training and development programs for employees? Does it have a robust internal mentorship program? Are there clear pathways and growth opportunities for employees? If the company is invested in helping you succeed, it will show in these areas.
A Company That’s Culture-Fit
Any company will tell you that they’re the best. They’ll tell you that you’ll love working there, and they’ll try to convince you that you should work for them. But at the end of the day, the best company for you is the one that actually has what you’re looking for. For example, if you’re a culture fit, you’ll know it because you’ll feel it. You’ll feel like you belong there and you’ll feel like the company is a good fit for you. You’ll feel challenged, supported, and happy working there. You’ll have a sense of confidence in the company, and you’ll know that this is the right place for you.
Bottom line – Be discerning and trust your gut
If you’ve never been through a job search before, it can be challenging to know what to expect and what you should be looking for. By taking the time to make sure you understand what you’re looking for in a company, you’re better equipped to make the most of your job search. When you’re discerning and looking for your next company, trust your gut. Your gut is what will tell you if the company is a good fit for you or not. Trust it and make sure you apply for the companies that are a good fit for you.