Find Jobs With The Right IT Companies And Stand Out From The Crowd As A Non-native Speaker Of English
How To Find A Good IT Company and show your paying attention
Your first job out of college is already behind you. You landed your first dream job in your career field, and you couldn’t be happier! Right?
But now what? Well, that’s the easy part. Maybe you found your dream job, but the company seems a little shaky, they don’t want to invest in their workforce and you know for career progression you need to move on.
The hard part comes when you realise that the company you chose offers little in terms of resources to assist you in developing your career and your most valuable asset, your knowledge of English. It’s not that they don’t want to help you, but rather, they are too short sighted to see how much potential you have.
So where do you turn?
Well, your job is to find a way to stand out from the crowd as a non-native speaker of English. And one of the best ways to do this is by thoroughly researching your next company. If you are able to demonstrate that you know this company inside and out you will be able to stand head and shoulders above other native English speakers who lack the depth of knowledge and cultural understanding you have.
As a result, we’ve compiled tips to help you thoroughly research companies before your interview. Remember though, every interview is a chance for you to practise and hone your skills for when the big opportunity comes.
WHY RESEARCHING THE COMPANY IS IMPORTANT
When you are applying for a new job, there are a few things you should always consider, such as the location, salary, work environment and benefits.
However, you should also take a moment to look at the company itself. After all, you can’t apply for a job without interviewing the company. You should check for example the company’s profile and prestige, the work culture and ethics, their stance on corporate social responsibility (CSR), their benefits and career development. When you research a company thoroughly, you will feel like you are interviewing them.
Why?
Well, if you understand a company, then it is easier to understand how they operate. Therefore, you’ll have a better idea of whether the company is right for you.
Furthermore, you’ll know if they’re the type of company you’d like to work for. You may feel that a company is not suitable for you, even though they offer a good salary, but this isn’t the case.
You just need to know why.
And this is why it’s so important to do your research. Because once you have the full picture of the company, you’ll have the upper hand.
START WITH THE COMPANY WEBSITE: WHAT TO LOOK FOR AND HOW TO NAVIGATE
Start with the company website: what to look for and how to navigate
If you’re new to the industry, you’ll quickly learn that companies can come in all shapes and sizes.
It’s often difficult to identify whether you’re speaking to a small business, medium-sized company or a large corporation, and that’s why you need to start with the company’s website.
When you visit the site, your goal is to find out as much about the company as possible. The more you can learn about them, the easier it will be for you to make a strong impression.
Here are four things you should look for on a company website:
1. Company Mission Statement
What is the company’s mission? What do they do and why?
2. Contact Information
Where can you find the company’s contact information?
3. Industry
What is the company’s main focus and does this align with your own?
4. Company Structure
What does the company’s structure and work ethic look like? Is the company stiff and corporate like IBM in the 90’s or does the company give free lunches and allow you to work on your own projects like Google?
A good place to start is with the company’s mission statement. The mission statement will give you an idea of what the company values and what they stand for. This will help you to gauge whether you like them or not.
Next, you’ll want to check out their contact information. Is the company clear and honest about their contact info or are they shady AF? Remember a genuine company would be honest about their real address and should never use a gmail / hotmail / yahoo etc. email address.
Finally, you’ll want to look at the company’s focus. You can look at the company’s website, or you can simply ask a friendly employee if they know about the company. it is important to check if the focus and mission statement of the companies align with your own.
Pro tip: You can try to find employees in the company you wish to apply for through social media such as Linkedin. Send a message stating you are applying for the company and would like to ask about their experience at the company. If you follow this route don’t forget to be friendly and be honest about your intentions you could also make a powerful ally.
COMPANY CULTURE: HOW TO ASSESS WHETHER YOU’RE A GOOD FIT
It’s no secret that a company’s culture is an integral part of the employee experience.
Many employees don’t do their research before joining a company and therefore struggle for years to fit into the company, sometimes even decades, before they can say they feel truly “at home”.
Research shows that only 20% of employees are “highly satisfied” with their current jobs. Of course any company can slowly go down hill but it is essential that you know the company culture before you join.
One of the easiest ways to gauge this is by reading about the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs.
A CSR program is a formalised set of business practices designed to improve the communities in which the company operates. This community includes the customers, the supplies, the local community, the country and most importantly the EMPLOYEES!
It can range from donating to charities, sponsoring educational programs, employee benefits programs or even setting up a green energy project.
If you’re interested in finding a company with a strong CSR program, check out: https://www.top10corp.com/corp-culture
As you can see, a CSR program is a great way to figure out if a company has a great workplace culture.
SOCIAL MEDIA AND ONLINE PRESENCE: HOW TO FIND AND EVALUATE THE COMPANY’S DIGITAL FOOTPRINT
Social media and online presence: how to find and evaluate the company’s digital footprint
Doing an online search can be a time-consuming process, but there are a few sites that can help you out and save you a ton of time.
Firstly, you should have a look at their social media presence. While you may think you know everything about the company, if you’ve never checked the Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or even YouTube accounts you may be missing out on a few crucial details.
These platforms provide insight into what the company values, who they are targeting, what problems they are trying to solve and what products they are selling.
They also allow you to find out who is speaking about the company and how often. For example, you may find that the CEO tweets about once a week, while the CTO tweets once a day. This is important to note because you can see how connected and revolutionary they company is and it could affect your decision to join the company
Secondly, check the company’s web presence. While it’s tempting to skip straight to the company’s website, you’ll benefit from other sources of information such as social media first.
If you’re going to be speaking to an employee through Linkedin or a representative of the company, you’ll want to have your questions or queries ready so check out the social media and website. Current employees can tell you (or let slip) the truth about a company.
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS: UNDERSTANDING THE COMPANY’S PLACE IN THE IT LANDSCAPE
With a simple Google search, you can easily determine the size of a company. What makes them interesting is knowing what they are good at.
I’m not saying you should target a specific position within a company, because that’s not always possible.
But if you’re interested in a company that has a specific product that you are interested in, make sure you understand what they are good at.
You may notice that you’re interviewing at a large company, but they have a niche product that only a few companies offer. This might be a case of the company being too large for its own good. it might mean there is little opportunity for you to grow and develop in your professional career.
If you find yourself in this situation, you may have to weigh up whether you want to take a risk on a big company with a single product you are less familiar with or go with a smaller company that has more diversity.
PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING: LEVERAGING YOUR NETWORK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COMPANY
Networking with professionals in your industry can provide valuable insights and opportunities for job seekers. Here are some tips on how to leverage your network to learn more about IT companies:
- Start by identifying connections in your network who may be able to offer insights on the companies you’re interested in. This could include former colleagues, classmates, or industry contacts.
- Reach out to these connections via email or social media to express your interest in the company and ask if they have any insights or advice to share.
- Consider attending industry events or virtual meetups where you can connect with other professionals in your field. This is a great way to expand your network and learn more about industry trends and opportunities.
- Utilise professional networking platforms like LinkedIn to search for contacts who work at the companies you’re interested in. You can then send them a message to ask for an informational interview or to simply learn more about the company.
- Keep in mind that not all contacts may be able to offer job leads or insider information. However, even a simple conversation can help you gain a better understanding of the company culture and industry trends.
- Don’t forget to thank your contacts for their time and insights. Building strong relationships with your network can help you in your career over the long term.
Remember, professional networking is a two-way street. Be sure to offer your own insights and assistance to your contacts whenever possible, and don’t hesitate to pay it forward when you can.
GLASSDOOR
When you’re looking for a new job, there’s no better resource than the review system provided by Glassdoor and other similar websites.
Reviews provide an unparalleled source of data for helping you find new employers and making the right choice. Review systems give you a detailed breakdown of the workplace, including employee feedback, performance ratings, and reviews written by current and former employees.
You can also use reviews to learn more about the company you are considering, including the culture, the challenges and problems they face, and employee demographics.
As a result, you’ll be well-informed about both the opportunity and your prospective employer before you decide whether or not to accept the position.
PREPARING TO DISCUSS YOUR RESEARCH IN THE INTERVIEW: TIPS AND STRATEGIES.
Start planning early
It doesn’t matter if you’re at the beginning of your career, or already have a stable and successful job, the chances are you’ll find yourself in a position where you’re underpaid and overworked. It is best to start thinking about your options before you reach this point.
If you’re looking for a better salary or a less crappy company you’re already too late. However, don’t despair. By following the tips from this blog you’ll be in a much better place to find a good company to work for.
Find out what they’re looking for. Doing your homework on your next potential employer before the interview is important because they’re going to be evaluating you as a potential hire.
By doing your research you can flip the tables and make sure you are putting the focus on the company and make sure they deserve to hire you!
FINAL WORDS
It is no secret that to land great positions at international companies or companies with international teams it is important to be able to speak English as a software developer.
I know it can be scary, difficult and challenging to interview in English but with the right research and preparation you can be the interviewer and find the company that is right for you. When you have the research the questions you want to ask come easily.
Good luck in your future endeavours and If you would like help with your English Interviews please Contact me at tim.wells@itenglishrocket.com or by using the contact form on this site.