- Job Search Tip of the Week, by Brian Krueger, author of "College Grad Job Hunter," the #1 book for entry level job search:
"The Personal Investment Decision Technique"
Use the Personal Investment Decision Technique as your litmus test for determining which are the very best companies to interview with on-campus (and off). If you would not consider investing money in the company from a financial standpoint, they probably should not be at the top of your list of companies to interview with. Conversely, those companies that are good investments will likely be good employers. Smaller companies may be less noticeable--with far less competition.
Please note that this technique does not automatically count out all market giants due to sheer size and already established market domination. Merck, Microsoft, and Dow Chemical are good examples of market leaders who are still at the top of anyone's list of great companies to work for. The key is not size, but whether or not you would be comfortable making a financial investment in the company.
Want some "insider information" in making these decisions? Hook up with a full-service stockbroker. Tell them that you are interested in potentially making an investment and that you would appreciate any information they may have on companies x, y, and z. Most are happy to oblige. The annual report is usually the stockholder's prime source of information. Even though it is obviously biased toward the company (after all, they wrote it), it is how they sell themselves as a good investment. You can also use the some of the research resources listed in the "Employer Research Strategies" Section before you even decide whether you will be interviewing with the company.
In using this technique, it is important to keep in mind that, as with financial investments, there will always be an unknown element involved. There may be some open questions, but do not wait until you have gathered "perfect information" before making your decision. Gather the information that is available, then make your choices. Do not get caught in the trap of trying to find the "perfect" company. It does not exist. And even if it did, it would not be perfect anymore after you went to work there, right? Instead, seek out a company that is fully committed to growth and excellence, in both the company and its employees.
Again, if you would not favorably consider making a financial investment in the company, then do not consider investing your heart and soul.
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