How to Land a Dream Job

I have done grueling work such as waitressing at a tourist trap, but with coworkers who were so much fun that I didn’t mind loading bus buckets and running food to cranky customers. I have also accepted a position that had my dream job description, but was miserable on account of being fiercely micromanaged.

Based on these experiences, I decided that workplace culture is more important than the actual content of the work in determining my job satisfaction. And I have learned that if you ask a vague question such as “what is the office culture like here?” you will get a vague, upbeat answer. But if you are specific now, you won’t be surprised later. The following is a set of questions that should be asked before accepting a job offer to determine if the workplace culture will be the right fit for you.

What is your Deal-Breaker?

As with dating, it’s always good to be open-minded when looking for a job, but first you need to set some standards and know your deal-breaker. Does your blind date talk with his mouth full? I’m sure he’s a great guy, but that’s a deal-breaker for me. Does your new boss need to read every email you write before you hit send? He may be very successful, but I’m not the right employee for him. Think in advance about your workplace deal-breaker, and be sure to ask questions relating to that topic. For example, if you are a working mother and need to leave on time to pick up your kids, be sure to ask if you will be expected to work late, and if so, how often.

Office Culture Questions

§ What are the hours? How often do you work late?

• Does this office have summer hours?
• What is the vacation policy? Be sure to find out if you need to accrue vacation, especially if you are starting a job in the summer and are hoping to spend a few days at the beach.
• Why did the last person leave this position? If they say it is a new position, ask why the last person in the department or with a similar job title left.
• Who would I be reporting to? Ask to speak to someone else who has the same supervisor, and ask about their working relationship and management style.
• Do people take a lunch break?
• What is the dress code?
• Does the company have a tuition reimbursement policy? This is a great indicator of how open the company is to investing in employees.

Remember that they are trying to sell you on the position, too, and don’t take everything you are told at face value. Don’t be afraid to ask questions before accepting a position. It shows that you take your job search seriously, and want to make sure that the job is a good fit for you. Remember, if you are specific now, you won’t be surprised later.

-Kerry Monaghan