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Before being attracted to that new job…
THE MAJORITY OF EGYPTIANS - from junior professionals to senior executives - act strangely during the recruitment process. When deciding to buy or rent a house or even acquire a new car they exercise much more care and give more attention to various details.
The following are observations collected from the writers involvement in a large number of recruitment situations for all levels of professionals :
Meeting only the boss: this is a very common occurring, when a job seeker would meet two or three times with the ‘boss’ / ‘owner’ / ‘President’ and accept an employment offer. Deciding you would like to work for the ‘boss’ is important; however talking to other people in the potential work place is as important. Your direct manager, colleagues even subordinates. A substantial number of job seekers overlook this fact, while you can learn a lot from these sources about the culture, attitudes and the environment in general. One should not be hesitant to ask for such meetings; if your interviewer is reluctant to grant you such access…. You should be worried. On a related matter; you should always ask for a tour of the premises (the offices, the factory etc… a limited number of job seekers ever ask: where am I going to sit ?
A detailed job offer: in numerous cases, a job seeker receives a very brief and general offer in writing; other details are provided verbally. More persistent job seekers are told these are our standard offers (or contracts). This should not be the end of the subject; as a smart prospective employee, the least you could do is confirm every thing you were told or promised in a letter and address it to the relevant executive in the company… to ensure at least - with no shreds of doubt - your understanding. Try and get it signed / acknowledged if you can; never the less….. It is more binding than just talk and possible future claims that you did not understand clearly what your interviewer meant. Also in the case of bonus/profit sharing; while it cannot be guaranteed, you should ask to read the current policy…… Very few people do this …. But the ones who do….. Save themselves from a lot of agonies and regrets later…..
K nowing the company; while the above observations are mainly internal is also very useful to try and learn about how the rest of the world (the market) sees your prospective employer. Do not be lazy or shy to seek research, new coverage about a particular business…. From trade magazines, business dailies, competitors, stock brokers research (if applicable to your particular case) ex employees, suppliers to that entity , its clients etc…. If it is a business or service entity that deals with individuals, why don’t you walk in as a potential customer, ask relevant questions and see for yourself how they deal with you ?
In summary, two out of three job seekers do none (or very little of the above); which is strange and unadvisable when contemplating such an important decision for their careers. Having the option to resign later is obviously always available, however you should remember it is wasted time, a lost opportunity in a more suitable place and too many changes reflect poorly on your CV.
Sherif S. Samy; Chairman, skill-link.com
(from a lecture to the Senior students of Helwan University)
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