Employee Focus

• It is important to know a thing or two about an employer's company culture before signing an employment agreement. Some employers maintain an uncomfortable, even hostile atmosphere where negative reinforcement and overbearing supervision are commonplace. Others create a relaxed atmosphere to foster creativity and personal development, believing employees to be more productive when they are self-motivated.
  
  Finding a job with a company whose culture fits your personality is key to a happy, healthy employment relationship. Jumping into a position with a contradictory culture can make for a short and unpleasant experience.
  
  

Advancement Potential

• It is important to know about potential employers' internal advancement policies. Some employers set formal policies in place for performance appraisal, advancement and compensation. Others rely on office politics when making advancement, while still others prefer to look outside the company to fill leadership positions. If you are looking for a temporary job, advancement prospects may not be as important as your starting salary. If you are looking for a long-term career position, however, a solid internal advancement track is a must.
  
  

Sustainability

• The word "sustainability" can be used in two distinct ways in business. The first has to do with a company's tendency to employ environmentally-responsible business practices, and the second has to do with a company's ability to financially survive beyond tomorrow due to sound strategic management. Both factors are important for job applicants to understand. If a company employs environmentally damaging business practices, or a business model that cannot last long, employees may find themselves facing layoffs or company closure in the future. Environmentally sustainable business practices can actually improve a company's financial sustainability, inseparably linking these two factors.
  
  

Ethical Considerations

• Ethical business practices extend well beyond environmental considerations. Potential employees should look into companies' standing in civil and criminal courts to avoid signing up with an employer headed for damaging legal trouble. Look into potential employers' supplier standards policies, equal employment opportunity programs, accounting standards, product safety commitments and other vital ethical issues before making a decision.