This document provides tips for ensuring job satisfaction and longevity in a new role. It advises getting a written job description and offer to have clear expectations in writing. Ask about the position history, why it's open, and where past incumbents went. Meet direct reports and their boss to assess workplace dynamics. Check the company on LinkedIn and Google for reviews and financial stability using public records. Doing thorough due diligence on the role and organization can prevent taking a job that won't last.

2. What can you do to be sure
you will be happy in your next job?
More…
A recent Right Management survey found
that 85% of workers want to change jobs.

3. Be sure to get a Written Job Description that outlines
responsibilities & deliverables for the 1st year on the job.
Use it to discuss your performance with your boss.
Get It In Writing

4. Be sure to get a Written Job Offer that covers
job title, compensation & other key points.
This ensures accurate communication & protects you.
Get It In Writing

5.  Ask:
Get The History
• Why the position is open.
• Length of the previous incumbent’s tenure.
• Why s/he left & where they are now.
 Be wary of new positions. Assure funding sources.

6. Get The History
 Ask: How many people have held the job in the last 5 years.
 Find out: Why they left & where they are now.

7. Meet The People
• To meet your boss’s direct reports.
• About his/her strengths.
• What would they change about him/her?
 Ask:
 Observe their comfort level while answering your questions.

8. Meet The People
 Ask your boss’s direct reports
who makes the decisions that affect them.
If it’s not your boss, ask the same questions
you asked about your boss about the decision maker.

9. • How many people from the
company are on LinkedIn?
• How many of them have
their phone numbers listed
on their profile?
• If they are all making
themselves extremely easy
to contact , it might be
because they want out!
Use LinkedIn

10. • Look for connections you and
your prospective colleagues
have in common.
• Check with them about the
common connection at the
company.
• Ask what its like to work
there.
• Know they might circle back
to your mutual connection to
share the conversation.
Use LinkedIn

11. Check The News
Search Google News on the company’s name.
Are they in the Media? Why?

12. Assess Financial Condition
• If the company is private
ask about its earning
trends and cash position.
• If the company is public, read
Management’s Discussion &
Analysis in their SEC 10-K. They’re
required to disclose risks.

13. If the company is a Start-up, ask about its
business model, cash on hand, & burn rate
Assess Financial Condition

14. • These due diligence points will help you
identify the red flags before you take a new job.
• These can often stop you from taking a job that won’t last
and that would do lasting damage to your resume.

15. Donna Svei is a retained executive
search consultant,
executive resume writer,
and blogger at AvidCareerist.com.
She has completed over 400
executive searches.
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Donna Svei
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