DiversityInc often reports on similar themes addressed in Giving Notice relating to diversity issues in the workplace and useful advice for employers and employees. Recently, they interviewed a few leading business professors regarding advice for employees of color seeking to build successful careers in Corporate America. One tip that stands out in particular is that before job seekers proactively search for and select jobs, they should conduct serious introspection about who they are, what their real interests are, what an ideal company culture would look like to them, what challenges they are seeking, and what personal happiness means. These personal considerations are fundamental to ensuring the best employer-employee “fit” and avoiding job mismatches. Jandle and Associates, an outplacement counseling firm, found that more than 40 percent of survey respondents reported mismatches as the top reason people get fired (Giving Notice, p. 111).
In light of soaring job dissatisfaction rates across multiple industries, Chapter 7 of Giving Notice recommends that job seekers conduct a comprehensive evaluation of potential employers using the following key criteria: daily worklife; assignment, development, and mentoring; the company/firm culture and value; the gender, racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural climate; inappropriate conduct issues; corporate citizenship; and other diversity issues.
Based on your personal experience, do you have any additional tips for job seekers?
