Graduation is days away and if you're anything like me, chances are, you're flipping out. Senior year is the time when pressure increases so suddenly, that even the smallest things like going to the career services center feel like an emotional roller coaster. I know that finding a job is your number one priority right now, but be careful. I jumped on the first offer I got, only to end up fired three months later. Be sure to ask these five questions before accepting a job.
1. What's your turnover rate?
So, you've just busted your butt for four years and even sought out professional resume writing services, to put years of hard work on one piece of paper. You deserve a job that will value you and keep you for the long haul. Believe me, there's nothing more frustrating than ending up at a company where you see people come and go every day.
My first job was as a salesperson for an outsourced company. I went in super excited. They told me that they promoted quickly and from within. It turned out that they did, but they only promoted one out of ten people because the rest quit or got fired. If the recruiter gets intimidated or tries to change the topic of turnover rate, you should be suspicious. You should look for a company with 10% turnover rate, as this is the golden number. Anything more and chances are you won't be staying at your job for as long as you'd like.
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2. Can you explain the bonus structure and show me some stats?
Sales is a massive industry which recruits lots of energetic, fresh graduates. The problem with it, however, is that since it’s performance-based, many positions will offer a very low base and promise a high bonus. I worked at a company which offered me a super basic monthly salary, repeating how the base pay is peanuts but the bonus was going to be at least 50% more on top of it. This is what actually happened.
I accepted the job and worked my market for six months, never receiving a bonus once. Many of my colleagues were in the same boat. The company had structured the bonus requirements in such a way, that you’d literally have to be on the phone 24/7 to make bonus. Plus, they had the same minimum standards across the board, when some markets were clearly harder. I did not get a bonus and lived off of the measly base pay. Don’t repeat my mistake and ask to see track records of employees in your market. See how many met target and then make a decision. Another thing to consider is to negotiate your base pay. Sure, you’re confident in your sales skills but if the odds are stacked against you, you need a good safety net.
3. Is it possible to do a test run of my work at your company?
Interviews in the traditional sense are starting to disappear. Companies are replacing the standard question and answer game with an audition. This is exactly what it sounds like. You know how actors have to go and read a script when applying for a job? Well, it will be the same with everyone soon. Coders and programmers will be given a problem to solve. Sales people will be asked to pitch. Writers have to show a portfolio of their published work.
Don’t be afraid of the audition. It is as valuable for companies as it is for you. For example, I would have never accepted the banking job that I did had I tried it out for a day. I’m horrible at math, don’t like customer service too much and standing behind a teller window makes me physically nauseous. If I had had the opportunity to experience work in this position for a few hours, I would have saved myself a huge disappointment and months of misery. Ask the hiring manager if you could go in for a few hours of observation and perform a task that you’d be assigned if you accept the offer.
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4. Will I be assigned a mentor?
Having a mentor is crucial, yet so underrated. Working at a new company can be overwhelming at first. Not only do you have to go above and beyond to make a name for yourself, but you have to catch on to internal dynamics and build friendships. Having a mentor can help you greatly, as he or she will show you the ropes and let you in on things you wouldn’t find out by yourself. As a freelance writer, I go to others for advice all the time. I look for people who have reached a place I’d like to be at and ask a ton of questions. They motivate and advise me. Having a mentor is invaluable and every good company should offer one.
5. Are you flexible on working from home?
As I’ve said time and again, the world is moving towards a more remote-based way of work. Lots of companies will offer “flexible” hours, but sometimes, those sound too good to be true because hey aren’t. You have to know what the strings attached to this flexibility are. For example, ask how long in advance you have to request working from home. Ask what the factors for approval of remote days are. For example, I had a job where I couldn’t take a day off even when I was sick, not to mention work from home because there wasn’t anyone who could cover me. If you’re going to be working remotely, you need to know that this is a real promise and that the company doesn’t just say it in order to appeal to millennial workers. Make sure to find out how you will communicate on your remote days. You may think that you can lie on a beach somewhere, but if you have to be hooked up to Google Hangouts or Skype all the time and wifi on the beach is scarce, it won’t work out. In fact, you’ll be less stressed out at the office.
There you have the five questions you should ask before accepting a job. Go in with confidence, know your skills and make sure the value you bring is rewarded properly.
