Searching for your next job? Start with the organisation

Read Time: 3 mins

Sometimes I wonder whether we spend more time researching a holiday than the organisation we’re about to join.

We check flights and accommodation, research things to see and do, and ask friends about places they’ve visited. Yet when searching for your next job, you may rely heavily on a job advertisement and a few interviews, even though the organisation you join could shape how you spend eight or ten hours a day, five days a week.

A job advertisement and interviews are useful starting points. But there is much more worth knowing before you make a decision.

What contracting taught me

During my years working as a contractor in organisational change, I moved between organisations roughly every twelve to eighteen months.

That meant researching the next workplace became a regular part of working life. My peers and I became practised at finding out who we would report to, what was happening within the organisation and who our stakeholders and team members might be.

A role could look appealing on paper. Conversations with people inside the organisation helped us understand what doing that job might actually feel like.

That experience shapes how I work with career coaching clients today. I encourage them to take a self-directed approach to finding their next role, identify organisations they would like to join, research what it’s like to work there and build relationships to explore where they could contribute.

Start with somewhere you’d be proud to work

I often begin with a job research spreadsheet and a simple question:

If someone asked you on the weekend where you worked, which organisations would you feel proud to name?

Think about the industries that interest you, the work you want to contribute to and the values that matter to you. Where might there be a meaningful connection?

Start with no more than ten organisations. That gives you enough variety while keeping the initial research manageable.

Pride in an organisation’s purpose is a useful starting point. The next step is understanding how that purpose translates into everyday working life.

Find out what it’s like from the inside

Read the organisation’s website, recent media coverage and employee reviews on sites such as Glassdoor, Seek and Indeed. Check the dates, check how recent they are, and consider whether the reviewer worked in a similar role or team to you. Look for themes and questions to explore. An individual review gives you one person’s experience, rather than a complete picture.

Then talk to someone who actually works there.

Ask people you know whether they have a connection who might be willing to have a short conversation. Ideally, speak with someone close to the team or type of role you’re considering.

You’re asking for insight at this stage. A simple introduction might be:

“I’m exploring my next career move, and your organisation is one I’m interested in. Would you be open to a coffee or a short call about your experience there?”

I’ve found people are often generous when the request is clear and there’s no expectation that they will find you a job.

You might ask:

• What is it like working in this team?
• How does the manager support people and respond when things go wrong?
• What challenges is the organisation facing?
• What would you want to know before joining?

Listen for specific examples. If something concerns you, explore it through another conversation where possible. Culture can vary considerably between teams within the same organisation.

Let your research guide your next steps

As you learn more, refine your list. Some organisations will become more appealing. Others may drop off it.

Keep track of conversations, questions and follow-up actions in your spreadsheet. Share your background and interests with the people you meet. Ask where your skills might be useful and who else would be worth speaking with.

These conversations are part of finding your next role. They can help you learn about emerging needs, meet people who make hiring decisions and explore opportunities that may never become a job advertisement.

This approach takes time, and access to contacts varies. You can begin with one conversation.

Choose three organisations you’d be proud to work for, then find one person at each who can help you understand what it’s like to work there. These conversations can help you build relationships, identify where your skills are needed and uncover opportunities before they’re advertised.