Hire\' the Perfect Employer: How

¶ … hire' the perfect employer: How do you resolve conflict and what is your target environment?

Instead of thinking 'who will hire me,' an employee should instead wonder what workplace is the best place for him or herself to thrive and grow. A good fit between employer and employee makes it more likely that the employee will please the employer and also that the employee will develop his or her talents and personal qualities in a positive manner. While certain aspects of employment may be dictated by necessity, prospective employees should still have an idea of what is their ideal environment in which to work when evaluating potential employers.

This vision will vary, depending on the characteristics of the employee to some degree. For example, some employees may prefer a quieter and more cooperative workplace; others may thrive in a highly competitive team environment. However, certain aspects of the workplace and working conditions should always be noted by a prospective employee, such as the availability of health insurance, respect for the work-life balance of employees, and flexible working hours if an employee requires them because of personal reasons. The opportunity for advancement and upward mobility may be important for the employee, or the location of the company near the employee's home. But regardless of the employee's preferences, the employer's proven 'track record' regarding critical employee work quality issues should be noted.

It is also important to examine how conflict is dealt with in the workplace. No place of employment will be conflict-free. Mechanisms to deal with conflict, such as the presence of dispute resolution counselors within HR, are an important component of most complex organizations today. An employer's stated commitment to being compliant with all statutes regarding discrimination and actively promoting diversity within the work environment should be supported with specific polices, rather than empty rhetoric, to ensure fair treatment of all workers, regardless of sex and gender. Many companies allow workers to form specific mentorship and support groups for employees of color and state that they treat workers who have same-sex partners in the same fashion as married couples. Even if these policies are not specifically germane to the prospective employee, they do indicate an open-minded and tolerant work environment. Tolerance to the needs of the individual employee, temperamentally as well as in regards to membership in specific groups, can make the difference between a workplace that is a pleasure to go to every day vs. A chore.

Of course, it is difficult to get a sense of what an employer is like, based purely upon observations and interviews. Talking to present and former employees is also a good way to gain a sense of what daily life is like in the workplace -- the pressures employees face or faced, the hours and rhythm of the day, and the expectations of managers. Noting how long employees remain with the company is another statistic to be mindful of when comparing future employers.