1 The Industry (or type of service).
Do the general characteristics of the industry have a definite interest for you?
Is it, or does it promise to be, sound in the national economy?
Has the industry a history of broad usefulness? Are expansions or diversifications contemplated? Are new developments challenging the industry?
2 The Company (or institution).
Has the company shown substantial growth as reflected by increased production, new products and services, sales over a period of years?
Has there been, or is there promise of considerable growth of products, technological changes and facilities which permit upgrading of qualified people? Has the company taken on new acquisitions? Are / there prospects of a merger?
How does the company rate with Dun & Bradstreet, Standard & Poor, the local banker, and customers? What reputation does it have with the placement service, the faculty, and alumni?
Have the company's labor and public relations appeared normal over a period of time?
Does the company have today's usual fringe benefits such as group life insurance, hospitalization, sick benefits, retirement, and provisions for continuing education? What are the approximate contributory costs?
3 Stability.
Does the whole picture of the industry . . . the company, research and development, diversification of products and services, sales . . . appear progressive in this age of technological progress and obsolescence?
What is the company's financial condition? (Refer to annual statements of assets and liabilities; ratio of research expenditures to sales; the trend of earnings per share of stock. Extremely high or low positions may be important for your inquiry.)
Does the company appear well established and aggressively managed? What is its competitive position?
Does the company have many contracts subject to cancellation? What is the history of professional layoffs? What were the basic causes? (Turnover percentages can be misleading; definitions and interpretations are seldom identical.)
Could this hiring be for temporary work?
4 Assignments.
Is the work in line with your interests, and can your education and experience be well applied? What indoctrination, training, and work is offered during the first few years? What challenges are promised for you?
Do you want a job clearly denned with established responsibilities and hours of work?
Are schedules and days of work satisfactory?
Will you receive a permanent assignment or will you be expected to move from one location to another? Will extensive travel or time on business away from home impose restrictions on family or other obligations?
Would it be possible to obtain a transfer to another location should personal reasons demand?
5 Freedom for Ideas and Methods.
Does it appear that you will have reasonable freedom in assignments to use initiative in developing ideas and new methods?
What associations or foreman's clubs exist on a self-operating basis?
Are there meetings with the new people to discuss problems, ideas, new developments?
6 Professional Status.
Does it appear that you will have professional status or managerial responsibilities?
What are some of the privileges accorded a professional employee?
Will you be free to make decisions as you become qualified?
Are professional organizations nearby?
Does the company promote activities aiding professional growth such as participation in technical societies and seminars?
Are there aspects of publication of technical papers, patents, that would add to your professional stature and worth to the company?
7 Advancement.
While advancement depends much upon your efforts and abilities, you will want to consider all aspects of the business and your probable place in the organizational structure. What are the factors which seem unfavorable for your future advancement?
Is there evidence of real flexibility in management?
Will additional work become available to permit promotion as you develop new abilities?
Are there many cases of promotions through reassignments and transfers?
Do promotions come primarily from within the company or are outsiders brought in for key jobs to a large extent?
8 Salary.
What is the present average salary for those in your classification and state of preparation?
Consider reasons for unusually low or high salary offers.
Is the beginning salary apt to be static?
What is your salary potential? Are there many cases of salaries increasing as responsibilities increase?
Are there periodic reviews? On a merit basis? When and by whom?
Are salaries adjusted on an overall basis ... as for a change in the cost of living?
9 Continuing Education.
Are there colleges within commuting distance offering courses useful to you?
Does the company encourage continuing education and does it subsidize tuition?
Does the company provide technical programs designed to strengthen the employee and the company?
10 Location (or possible future locations).
Is the area you are considering suitable for your progress and happiness? A number of factors deserve special attention if you have a family. Do you desire residence in a metropolitan or suburban area? Would living a considerable distance from home town and family obligations impose problems? Consider the effects of nearby institutions, community safety, health, welfare, available utilities, organized protection, the school system, and city management.
Are you seriously concerned about climate, excessive humidity, noise, odors?
11 Off-the-job Conditions.
Does the community appear progressive for your interests in recreational, social, professional, or other areas of activity?
What community activities now engage the interests of employees and their families?
How will family members adjust to the new environment? Do the town people seem friendly and willing to aid newcomers?
Are churches and service organizations adequate?
12 Housing.
Is housing available within a reasonable distance?
Are suitable rentals within your means?
Does the company assist in relocations? To what extent?
Does property appear a sound investment if you later want to sell?
13 Transportation.
Are transportation and communication services satisfactory? Consider main highways, rail, and air facilities.
Consider time and cost of daily travel to and from work.
14 Cost of Living.
Cost of living varies with location and depends primarily on what people are accustomed to and how they want to live.
Consider any special costs required by the job . . . expense of living in a specified area, social expectations, frequent assignments away from home.
Are there nearby business institutions (service, commerce, manufacturing) to help keep local taxation levies at a reasonable level?
15 Temporary Employment (undergraduate and postgraduate).
Is work available during periods before military service or intermittent periods while you are continuing your education? What are the requirements for leaves-of-absence?
16 Military Commitments.
Will the company consider your employment in the event of probable military call after graduation?
Does the company cooperate with requirements for summer camp (ROTC), National Guard, or reserve meetings? Is a salary adjustment made?
What is the policy regarding work and salary upon return from service?
17 Corporate Attitudes and Characteristics.
A company or other organization, like an individual, has certain predominant characteristics-the traits, interests, abilities which underlie its strengths and weaknesses. Some indicators of such character are participations in civic, government, and educational affairs; its attentions to individual improvements, high ethical standards, dealer and stockholder relationships. If you believe certain outstanding characteristics of a company will affect your progress and success, now is the time to investigate thoroughly.
In what ways does the company or its representatives serve in community affairs, service organizations, government? How extensively is safety promoted on the job and off, and how does the company's annual frequency rate compare with the industry's average? How many serve in youth organizations or lead in other public services? What meetings at colleges and technical groups are usually attended by company representatives? Will you be in line for any of these meetings?
