Research while applying for jobs

The terms of your employment contract will capture facts, rights, duties, and obligations that relate to you and your employer. These terms are based on your calibre, your expectations, your employer’s expectations, and industry standards. The terms are described with heavy legal terminology such as “non-compete”, “dispute resolution” etc.

It is important for you to conduct some research to understand what expectations you can have of your employer, if the expectations of your employer are fair, and if your contract is at par with industry standards.

Evaluate the Industry

When you are applying for a job or accepting a job offer, it is important to know industry standards of salaries, pay scales, and work practices. By understanding market trends and having knowledge of best practices, you have higher chances of getting what you rightly deserve from your employer.

Evaluate the Organization

Also, it is advisable to check the prospective organisation’s practices, work environment, treatment of employees, pay scales etc. Conducting such research will help you negotiate your contract better. You can find out such details from networking groups, ex-employees of that workplace, your batchmates from college who work there, colleagues of batchmates, etc.

Evaluate Yourself

Assess your skills and capacity, as it will help you negotiate the terms of your contract better. Your work experience, educational qualifications, relevant degrees/courses/certificate programs etc. will all add value to the position you can ask for as well as your salary.