You’ve found your dream tech transfer job. At least you think it is. It has everything you want – great pay, ideal location, room for advancement. But before you put your current boss on notice that she needs to start looking for someone to fill your large shoes, you need to do your due diligence and that means more than checking out the institution’s websites. Luckily, in the world of social media this can all be done on your lunch break, with your smartphone.
3 Places to Check Before Accepting a New Tech Transfer Job
Glass Door
Don’t take every word on this site and its reviews as gospel but look for an overarching theme. What are people saying about the place? You can discard the extremes on either end, but what is the prevailing sentiment?
Recruiter
Google your desired place of business and the word “recruiter.” If they have an established relationship with a recruiter, it may come up. If you learned about the position from a recruiter, ask them their insights on the culture. Remember the recruiter works for the employer so don’t expect any dirt but since their success is predicated on their ability to find the right fit, they will give you information on the type of person who would be most successful in that role. Listen to what they say and then give some thought as to whether you are that person.
Employee Posts
Search social media (places like Instagram and Facebook) for the organization’s name, address, and other buzzwords that may be associated with it (such as the name of a building, event, etc.). Organizational social media is often scheduled and moderated, but employees post the darndest things. This will give you greater insight into the culture.
When you do your research is completely up to you. Some people go through the entire interview process, wait for an offer, and then poke around. But this is a waste of everyone’s time and there’s a good reason you shouldn’t put it off.
The best time to research is after you find the position and apply, but before you get the interview. If you find out something amazing about the organization, you can leverage that in the interview and they’ll be impressed by your knowledge. On the other hand, if you find something questionable and you want further clarification, there’s still plenty of time to ask about it. If you wait for an offer, then research, and then ask, you are putting yourself in an uncomfortable and rushed position when there’s no need for that.
