5 tips for finding the right fit in an employer

For some, a new year comes with an itch to reassess career directions and consider what may make you happier with your job. One way to be more content with your work life is to know that your employer is truly in line with your personal values and respects what you need to be: not only happy but more productive. Much of this comes down to knowing how to find the right information about an organization. And knowing how to properly network using all the tools at your disposal plays a big role in this. Conversations with those connected to companies of interest are “really valuable to understand what actually is happening on the ground in that company on a day-to-day basis,” said Jennifer Bangoura, a career coach and director of career innovation at Nexford University. Bangoura shared effective strategies to help global development professionals discover whether a role or organization is a good fit, during a recent Devex event. Here are a few key takeaways. Take an organized approach Rather than jumping straight into information gathering, start with a simple spreadsheet, which can be used to keep track of the organizations you’re considering. For each, you can log existing contacts, company mission statements, interesting job descriptions, and links to other relevant content. Begin by listing the companies you already have in mind as potential fits. Bangoura suggests starting with 20 organizations, which you can, over time, edit and eventually narrow down to about five as you proceed through your research. When it comes to existing contacts, cast a wide net. These connections do not need to be limited to former colleagues or close friends. They may be a neighbor or a friend of a friend employed at a place of interest, Bangoura said. Dig for clues on social media “To get a really good idea of what a company is about and to keep a pulse on it … start following them on social media,” Bangoura said. Twitter and LinkedIn in particular are social platforms where an organization is most likely to talk about its identity. Checking out these profiles, as well as any blog posts that might be on a company’s website or Medium page, can give you a sense of what its actual goals or values are. If you come across a potential connection who posts frequently on LinkedIn, follow them. Even if you’re unsuccessful in making a formal connection, “you'll start to see the job postings come through and you'll start to see posts that they're sharing about their company, and, if they're doing the job well, then you're going to really get a better insight into what the company's actually like,” Bangoura said. Take advantage of virtual networking Our increasing reliance on digital tools comes with advantages, especially for those who get “really anxious going into physical networking events,” Bangoura said. Therefore, virtual networking poses many advantages. When reaching out on LinkedIn, make sure to personalize your connection requests while also thinking about a streamlined approach, which can include copying and pasting a similar introductory message to save time. You’ll soon have an in with those able to give an insider’s take on working at an organization of interest. Once you have a good feeling about an organization, don’t be shy about reaching out to its recruiters directly. “Find recruiters that work at those companies and then connect with them on LinkedIn. Their job is literally to find people like you,” Bangoura said. Attend online conferences (or don’t) The pandemic-fueled shift to virtual industry events has actually led to more accessibility, if not more fun, in terms of who is able to participate. Merely registering for a conference is a great way to gain access to new pools of potential connections, while providing some convenient common ground in order to make a more impactful introduction. “Even if I don't attend an event, what I'll do is I will open up the speaker list, and then I take the time to maybe open up 10 of their profiles on LinkedIn,” said Bangoura. Then you can reference the speaker’s event when sending an introductory note with your connection request. Dissect the job descriptions Going back to your spreadsheet, you can use it to compile and compare job descriptions of the roles that interest you. That way, you can easily see which ones meet your needs. Consider highlighting key words that align with what’s important to you. For example, do you need strict boundaries between your work and private life, or are you OK with positions that are more fluid? You can often get a good idea of whether a role suits you by simply, but carefully, reading the job posting. Sign up to Devex Career Hub for global development’s top jobs, expert career advice, and practical tips to help you do more good for more people.