Determining Your Fit - Continued

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Talk to people who work for your potential boss, as well as people who used to work for the potential organization, but have since moved on. Emphasize that the conversations you're having are confidential (and uphold that promise). Ask questions that will leave you with a sense of whether your boss is a reasonable, rational individual and whether you will find the work environment pleasant:

• What are the physical conditions of the work environment? (It's best to visit!)
• Are there any hazards associated with the work environment? (High noise levels, toxic chemicals, etc.)
• What is the dress code, and are you willing to comply with it?
• What is the breakdown, in terms of race and gender, among employees? Will you be working with a diverse group?
• Have there been any past problems with discrimination or sexual harassment? How did the company and your prospective employer deal with them? (Current and past employees will give you a realistic feel for these issues. Also check out Rating America's Corporate Conscience.)
• What are most of the people in your potential workspace like? (Ages? Are they artsy and offbeat? Quiet? Hard-working? Able to work well under pressure?)
• How well does the organization deal with complaints or constructive criticism?
• What is it like to work for your boss? (Trust your intuition about your supervisor and the impression past and current employees impart upon you.)
• Has there been a high turn-over rate associated with people who work for your potential boss? (If the turn-over has either been excessively high or extremely low, find out why.)

Doing research may seem time-consuming and annoying, but you'll be grateful you did it. A fulfilling job can be not just a meaningful way to spend Monday through Friday, but also a short-cut to great future opportunities! Selecting well will not only reduce your chances of having to embark upon another job search in the near future, but will also open doors for potential advancement and skill building.