Finding the perfect company to work for should be a top priority for you. No matter where you are in your career, the right company will help you get to the next level.
What Makes a Perfect Company
To be honest, there is no perfect company.
But there is a perfect company for you.
It’s not a one-size-fits-all kind of situation. You need to take the time to assess where you are in your career and what your needs are. This is how you’re going to narrow down what you’re looking for in your perfect company.
The Perfect Company When You’re a Recent Graduate
Fresh on the job market? Then finding the right company is definitely a top priority!
I know it’s tempting to take the first job (any job!) you’re offered. After all, you’ve entered the real world where people expect things from you—like paying your bills on time. Of course, you need to work to sustain yourself, but you also have to think about the long-term consequences of taking a position.
Research is your friend. Look at the positions for which you’re now qualified with that brand new degree (or diploma) and consider the career paths they will take you on. You can also start with the position you want to have at the height of your career and work backward to figure out where you need to start. Indeed has a fantastic career path resource.
Once you figure out what you want to do, you’ll have a good idea of the skills you’ll need to develop. This is an essential realization because your perfect company will help you learn and grow these skills.
Key things you should consider:
- Is there room for lateral growth? (keyword is lateral, not upward)
- Will there be someone available to mentor you?
- How much exposure will you have to management and other senior employees?
Ultimately, you need to consider your first real job as an extension of your education. You should take the time to build a solid foundation by taking advantage of learning a wide range of crucial skills. There needs to be room for you to take on new tasks in your role, and you need to have the ability to build relationships with senior-level employees. That is how you learn and grow!
One caveat: while you need to make sure you’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn, you must tread carefully in a job interview. Employers are hiring you to do a job, not to teach you.
The best companies for recent graduates are usually small- to mid-sized companies because they allow for lateral growth. There are also (usually) plenty of opportunities to develop strong working relationships with higher-level employees. If you’re fortunate, you can even build a relationship with the owner and get an up-close and personal look at how business works.
My first real job was with a video production company, where I worked closely with the company’s owner. I started as the Admin Assistant there and quickly worked my way up to Operations Manager. I was able to do this because my boss included me in many strategic meetings where I got to see her in action! Shoutout to Virginia Hastings for being a fantastic mentor!
Things like salary, benefits, and other job perks will always factor into determining whether a company is going to make sense for you or not. But at this stage in your career, these should be lower on your list of priorities (if possible; I fully recognize that this is not the case for some individuals.)
If you’re relatively financially stable, then don’t prioritize money over learning. Focusing on building your foundational skills is a long-term strategy, but it is the best investment. A lower salary now means you could access better growth opportunities and end up getting much better pay at the peak of your career.
You’ll also want to consider location. At this stage in your life, you may be able to pick up and move at a moment’s notice, so location may not matter as much to you. However, if you’ve got roots in a particular area, then you may want to think about things like how you’re getting to work, how long of a commute you’re facing, etc.
You always want to ensure that you’re making the best impression possible, so it is so important to think about what you want from the company and be prepared to put in the hard work to get it. At this stage in your career, you’re building a reputation for yourself, and these will be your first significant references.
The Perfect Company When You’re Mid-Career
Mid-career is a little trickier because your definition of the perfect company becomes more tailored to you and your goals. Where you go now truly depends on what you want to do and what your priorities are.
If your priority is still growing in your career, you should consider:
- Is there room for growth? (Now the keyword is promotion!)
- Will there be someone available to mentor you?
- How much autonomy will you have?
- Will you have opportunities to lead others?
What if you’re not into climbing the corporate ladder? Well, then your priorities will shift from growth to stability.
With that shift, you’ll need to consider:
- Is there a strong company culture?
- Are you likely to feel a rapport with coworkers?
- Does the workplace have flexible hours?
- Are you likely to have your idea of a good work-life balance?
Whether you’re still pushing forward or looking to settle down, you should take the time to answer all of the above questions because, ultimately, your perfect company probably has everything. The best companies for your mid-career goals are most likely mid- to large-sized companies because they typically offer more room for growth and a more reputable brand name on your resume. However, if you’re more content with settling down, smaller companies are still a great option.
Beyond ensuring that the opportunities you want are actually available, you’ll also need to strongly consider things like company culture (even if it’s less of a priority for you.) Company culture has a massive impact on job satisfaction which, unavoidably, affects your performance. If you want to be an A-player, then you need a healthy and satisfying work environment to do it in.
Salary and job perks are probably also more significant priorities at this point. Job perks like on-site daycare or gym memberships affect your work-life balance and, again, may lead to more satisfaction both personally and professionally. Salary is a more extensive conversation.
Your salary should be a bigger priority now because it could have an impact on your future earnings. Seriously. Recruiters often ask what you’re currently making, and it impacts their views on the level of your knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as your value to the employer.
Another thing to consider is whether the company provides a product or service that you can get behind. Is it green? Does the company employ ethical practices? Does it serve a greater purpose? You’re now at the point where your success isn’t solely based on effort and growth. There’s the element of passion that you need to bring to your work as well.
The Perfect Company for Senior-Level Employees
Senior-level employees will find themselves in a similar boat to mid-career; the perfect company depends on your goals. The only difference is that it now also depends on your end game. Moving forward is no longer the only thing on your radar.
If you’re looking to settle into your forever company:
- Is the company stable? Will you be able to stay there?
- Is there a strong company culture? Is it compatible with your personality?
- Are you likely to get along well with coworkers?
- How much autonomy do you have? Is it too much or too little?
- Are you likely to have your idea of a good work-life balance?
At this level, when your goal is to stay with a company long-term, you need to do a deep dive into the role, the company culture, and the work environment. When you’re at this stage in your career, you have the leverage in job interviews. You can honestly ask, “is this job right for me?”
You need to assess these things to determine how much you will enjoy the role because it’s more important than ever. You won’t have the trade-off of gaining experience to make up for a lackluster (or just plain awful) work environment. Your perfect company is somewhere you can see yourself retiring (when you’re ready, of course!)
For this goal, any size company will work though you may be happier in a mid-sized company. You’ll want to ensure that the company can provide you with a decent salary and other benefits as saving for retirement is most likely top of mind now.
If you’re reaching to the top:
- Will you eventually have your desired role? (CEO, COO, CFO, etc.)
- Will there be opportunities for you to shine and show off all the skills you’ve cultivated?
- Will you be able to mentor a protege?
- What is the time commitment for your current role and desired role?
Working your way to the top isn’t easy in any company, but you need to seriously consider what that company has to offer if that is your goal. After all, you don’t want to spend years chasing the big leagues only to find out it’s never going to happen. You also need to ensure that you’re prepared for the time commitment of the role to avoid mental health issues and burnout.
Once again, any size company will work. You can even start your own company if you’ve got an entrepreneurial spirit! It all depends on what you want. It goes without saying that running a large corporation is hugely different from operating a small business or navigating the world of startups.
Now more than ever, the companies product or service should be something that you’re passionate about. If you’ve worked your way into a leadership position, then you need to ensure that you’re capable of leading authentically. If you don’t have a genuine interest in the product or service your company offers, you’ll have trouble finding success.
How to Make Your Own Perfect Company
No, I’m not talking about starting your own business (unless you want to, then go for it!) I’m talking about creating your own opportunities. That’s right; you no longer have to wait for them to knock at your door!
Here are some ways you can make your own perfect company:
- Actively seek opportunities and show initiative
- Offer to take on new tasks and responsibilities
- Continue to educate yourself and be vocal to your managers about your interest in learning
- Make friends with your co-workers and managers
- Participate in company events and embody the company culture
- Maintain a positive attitude and a healthy personal life outside of work
These tips and tricks will help you push forward in your pursuits, but they won’t help much if you’re unhappy where you are. If that’s the case, you may need to move on and start looking for a new workplace. You need to take control of your own happiness and work towards fulfilling your goals.
Final Thoughts on How to Find the Perfect Company
Even though one completely unflawed, absolutely perfect company doesn’t exist, there is definitely a perfect company for you. You can determine which company is right by considering where you are in your career and what your overall career goals are. By doing this, you build a solid foundation for your personal and professional satisfaction.
Remember:
- The perfect company should be based on your personal career goals
- New job seeker should focus on growth and learning
- Mid-level to senior-level employees have to decide what their professional priorities are
- Small- to mid-sized companies are ideal for new job seekers
- Mid- to large-sized companies are ideal later in your career
- Company culture is an essential factor in job satisfaction
- Flexibility and work-life balance are critical for mental health
- Salary shouldn’t be a priority for new job seekers but should be carefully considered by mid-career and senior-level employees
- You should be passionate about the company and what it offers
Do you like the company you’re working for? What do you think makes the perfect company? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!