When job hunting or simply studying prospects for a future search, determining whether a job is a good fit goes beyond obvious things like salary, benefits, and title. Often, less overt—and rarely advertised—factors hold greater weight in terms of your satisfaction and well-being in the day-to-day.
Here, we discuss three of these pivotal workplace factors: organizational culture, technology, and project and team dynamics.
While job listings might not cover these factors in detail, a company’s website and other public information can offer solid clues. To gain further insights, we suggest attending job fairs and interviews armed with targeted questions for company representatives.
Whether in a society or a small business, culture—that is, shared practices, values, and norms—influence human interactions and expectations.
In their Competing Value Culture Model, Robert Quinn and Kim Cameron identify four types of organizational culture and their basic characteristics:
You can get a sense of a company’s culture by studying its mission statement and About Us information online, as well as through interviews with and social media posts by its leaders and managers.
Once you have an opportunity to meet with a hiring manager, consider following up on these impressions by asking one or more of the following questions:
In the interview stage, you’ll be asked many questions about your own experience and skills with technology. But your knowledge about the company’s technologies and tools is also crucial information; asking one or more of the following questions can help you better understand it:
Understanding workflow, communications, and team structures gives you crucial insights into your potential daily work and how that work relates to other teams and stakeholders.
Questions to consider asking include the following:
In addition to investigating these key job-related factors, consider reflecting on your personal experiences as well, including:
Ultimately, knowing what makes you tick and thrive offers the best clues to finding a new job that will be truly satisfying once the new title loses its shine.
To find out more about possible career pathways, it helps to meet and talk with people from a variety of companies and organizations. One way to do this?
Get involved with IEEE Computer SocietyIn addition to local chapter activities, individuals can explore various volunteering and mentoring opportunities. Getting involved in your community can lead to valuable experiences and connections that support your professional journey.
Disclaimer: The author is completely responsible for the content of this article. The opinions expressed are their own and do not represent IEEE's position nor that of the Computer Society nor its Leadership.
