Guide to Evaluating a Company

1. Guide to Evaluating a Company (Only you can determine the best fit)

2. Developing a Company Report Card

3. Company Report Card Components • Cash compensation • Employee benefits • Nature of the work • Work environment • Professional development opportunities • Work/life balance • Employment stability • The company’s values

4. EVALUATING CASH COMPENSATION • Base Pay • What is the starting salary? • What is the near-term pay potential? • How frequently is performance reviewed (formal/informal)? • How often is pay reviewed (specific dates/random)? • Is pay progression driven by individual development? • Are salary pay levels driven by well-defined performance goals? • Variable Pay • Does the company offer variable pay (bonuses/profit-sharing), if so, at what pay level? • What is the targeted variable pay for this position? • What was the actual payout for last year? • Does the company offer a signing bonus? • Does the company offer overtime pay? • Overall company Grade A-F

5. EVALUATING EMPLOYEE BENEFITS • Medical • date coverage begins • amount of employee contribution • Dental • date coverage begins • amount of employee contribution • Retirement • date eligibility begins • defined benefit plan • defined contribution • amount of company and/or employee contribution • Time Off • vacation (number of days) • holiday (number of days) • sick time • Other • stock options/ESOP’s • life/AD&D • employee assistance program • Overall company Grade A – F

6. EVALUATING THE NATURE OF THE WORK • Nature of the Work • What will my position/role be? • Does this position fit my career interests? • Will this position allow me to apply my education? • Will I be challenged? • Will the assignments vary? • What will my work schedule be? • How much travel is required? • Overall company Grade A – F

7. EVALUATING THE WORK ENVIRONMENT • Work Environment • What is the size of the company? • Is it an entrepreneurial or bureaucratic environment? • Who will I report to? • Does it seem friendly, aggressive, steady or unpredictable? • What is the dress code? • Are the work areas well organized and pleasant? • Will I feel comfortable with my coworkers? • Are there opportunities to socialize? • Will I be expected to join a union? • Overall company Grade A – F

8. EVALUATING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES • Professional Development Opportunities • Does the company offer structured training for this job? • How long is the initial training period? • Is the on-the-job training provided by a coaching/mentoring program? • Will I need to pass any proficiency tests or attain professional credentials to keep or progress in the job? • Is there ongoing training to prepare me for future opportunities? • If so, is it: • computer-based training • classroom instruction • professional certification programs/seminars? • What level of tuition reimbursement is provided? If so, what is the eligibility, and, are there any restrictions? • Is there a documented career path? • Is there a formal performance management program? How often will I be reviewed? • What opportunities are available for career growth? • What will the company do to help me grow and develop in my career, so I can become an asset to the organization? • Overall company Grade A – F

9. EVALUATING WORK-LIFE BALANCE • Work-life Balance • What is the standard work week? • What is the estimated overtime required? • Does the job require travel (frequent, minimal, none)? • Is the location easily accessible? • Is flexible scheduling available? • Are dependent care services readily available? • Are there shopping locations nearby? • Are health club services readily available? • Is there a concierge service? • Overall company Grade A – F

10. EVALUATING EMPLOYMENT STABILITY • Employment Stability • Is the company an industry leader? • Is the company reaching its profitability objectives? • What is the future outlook of the industry? • Is this position essential to the core business? • What are the company’s greatest competitive challenges? • Has the company gone through recent changes in ownership? • How diversified is the business? • Has there been a recent history of downsizing? • Overall company Grade A – F

11. EVALUATING THE COMPANY’S VALUES • Company Values • Is the company committed to workforce diversity at every level? • Does the company have a stated, visible commitment to environmental and social issues? • Does the company have a code of professional conduct? • Does the company have a respect at work policy? • Does the company promote from within? • Is there a social leave policy? • Overall company Grade A – F

12. COMPANY REPORT CARD • Insert the overall company grade and weighting for each component from the prior pages. • TOTAL CASH COMPENSATION • BENEFITS • NATURE OF WORK • WORK ENVIRONMENT • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES • WORK-LIFE BALANCE • EMPLOYMENT STABILITY • THE COMPANY’S VALUES • Overall company Grade A – F

13. RESPONDING TO AN OFFER • What’s Ok? • Asking for clarification on pay programs and benefit coverage • Discussing pay expectations and the offer in a constructive manner • Discussing specific start dates and reporting relationships • Following up with unresolved questions. • What’s Not… • Referring to pay offers of other candidates • Complaining about the pay or benefits • Bringing up major issues for the first time (e.g., relocation needs) • Stating ultimatums or demanding guarantees. • Staying Focused

14. RESPONDING TO AN OFFER • How to turn down an offer • Be open and frank - share your top one or two reasons for selecting the other firm • Be professional and don’t burn your bridges • Ask to stay in contact – not just with their HR representative, but if possible, with someone you interviewed and liked • Don’t let the details of the job offer distract you from your long-term professional goals, and how a company can help you achieve them

15. What’s right for you? Only you can decide!