After four years of preparation and expending much energy in conducting the search for a job, college students will find it very difficult to reject an offer of employment. However, employment opportunities come in all sizes, shapes and circumstances. Students need a way to figure out if the employer and the job are right for them.



Some employer information can be researched and judged while you are in the process of identifying potential employers. Based on your research, you can and should rule out some employers at this early stage.



Ask these questions:



1. Do you prefer a large or small employer?

2. Would you prefer a startup or a well established employer?

3. Is the employer profitable and financially stable or struggling to stay afloat?

4. Are you willing to accept a position with an employer outside of your field of interest?

5. Are you willing to relocate?

6. Does the employers work offend you in some way?

7. Do you prefer a hot weather, moderate or cold weather location?

8. Has the employer gone through layoffs recently?

9. Has the employer been cited for safety violations?

10. Is this an international, national, regional or local employer?

11. Are you interested in a government. private or nonprofit employer?

12. Is employer known for innovation?

13. Are you looking for inside work or outside work?

14. Are the employers products and services out of favor or in high demand?

15. Is the employer growing and expanding or cutting back and shrinking?

16. Does this employer have a reputation for being highly ethical?

17. Does this employer produce high quality products?

18. Is this employer formal, autocratic and structured or flexible and less formal?



As you go through the interview process, listen carefully to the people you meet and closely observe the work environment.



19. Is this employer customer focused?

20. Does management value the employees?

21. Is this employer involved with the local community?

22. Does this employer make charitable contributions?

23. Does this employer provide training and learning opportunities?

24. Are there advancement opportunities?

25. Are employees dressed in business attire or casual attire?

26. Does it sound like employees are happy and treated fairly?

27. Are some employees allowed to work from home?

28. Do you have concerns about any of the people you met?

29. How easy or difficult is the commute?

30. How expensive is the commute?

31. How many hours a week do most employees work?

32. How expensive are apartments in the surrounding areas?

33. How much will you be required to travel?

34. Will this company and job look good on your resumé?

35. Will the work be interesting and challenging?

36. Are most of the people friendly and cheerful?

37. What is the office setup - Offices, Cubicles or Open Space?

38. Are employee ideas and suggestions expected and valued?



Union issues:



39. Is the job located in a unionized facility?

40 Will you be expected to join the union?

41. What are the monthly dues?



When you receive a job offer from this employer, think about the following:



42. Is the verbal offer followed up with a written offer?

43. Is a physical and drug test required?

44. Is the salary at, above or below what you expected?

45. Will you be paid for overtime?

46. What employee benefits are included? Your contribution?

47. When do your benefits begin? / Is there a waiting period?

48. What is the next time you can expect a salary increase?

49. Are salary increases based on performance?



Final Question:



50. With this information, are you still enthusiastic and excited about this opportunity?



Only by answering these questions can you obtain the information needed to make better decisions. Whether you accept a position or reject one, you should take a little time to decide whether the offer you received is right for you.