Choose a Company, Then a Job

Choose a Company, Then a JobChoose a Company, Then a JobIt seems like a no-brainer. When youre job hunting, the goal is to find a job. But experts are now advising job seekers to choose a company, then a job. Heres why- and how.Make a listImagine the type of job youd really like to have. It should be one that aligns with your skills, your passion and be intellectually- as well as financially- rewarding. Instead of simply searching for a position with any company, find those qualities first in a company. That way, you are ensuring longevity with a company that has a corporate culture that you like. Your ideal list should have no more than 15 companies that you would be happy to work for.Get schooledAfter creating your list, be sure to research the companies to understand their corporate history. Go through their websites, read up on past CEOs and what they did to improve the companies standings. Search for current info as well by reading interviews conducted with senior level manageme nt or even press releases published by the company. All this info will not only help you to confirm if this is a company youd like to work for- and it will come in handy during your job interview.Get socialOnce you have a good sense of what the company stands for and its goals for the future, its time to make a connection. Follow them on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. You can even watch the videos they publish on YouTube. Be sure to stay active on their profiles by adding thoughtful comments to their news updates.Todays job seekers need to think outside the box in order to get the job they desire. Matching themselves with a company first- and not a job- will hopefully lead to not only a position, but a long-lasting career.Readers, do you research companies before applying for jobs?