I like to throw some spanners into the works and see if the well-oiled machine grinds to a halt. One of my favourites is "I would love to talk to a few people in the company, is that ok? Do you mind if I wander around?".

If they are slick they will already have people lined-up… that's OK, talk to them. But over the years I've found that it's the people on the ground floor that hold the secrets to an organisation – I'm talking about cleaners, janitors, porters… (forget security they are breed apart).

If you smoke step outside and hang around, there will always be someone there (a comrade-in-arms), strike up a casual conversation, start of gently "nice day, weather… type stuff".

Once the conversation is flowing lead up to "wow the last time I was here was x years ago and it looks like things have certainly changed, what's this place like now?"
They will tell you in exactly what they think; they are the type of people who see everything in black & white. If they say things are on the slide, you know that they really are!

The next one I like is useful when the company does not operate PRP or overtime bonuses "how do you encourage & reward a member of staff who performs exceptionally?" Their reply to this one tells you the type of company you are about to start work for.

Lame answer = lame company… Just make sure that you can qualify exceptionally in whatever context you are in.

Get a guided tour of all the buildings (unless your applying to a large corporation) or walk around on your own (if security let you). What does the place feel like and look like? Scruffy and neglected, poorly equipped… = a bad job.

Check out the local area, what are the demographics? High social deprivation = low quality admin and support = bad job (for UK job applicants you can find these stats on every local authority web site).

Ask yourself

• Do people look happy?
• Do people look busy?
• Do people look focused?
• Do people look unduly stressed?…

All these clues tell you about that company.

Depending upon the size of the company the media can hold an insight into that company.

For example if we assume a large F.E. (further education) institution number of employees 2000+ upsets its employees by imposing a wage freeze or is trying to downsize a department, one of the easiest ways for employees to hit back is via the media.

A quick letter pointing out mal-practise in an area, poor working conditions, failing to adhere to correct health and safety procedures… … can quickly be picked up by the local media. OK, none of previous will interest the nationals but it will get local exposure.
If the local rag does not publish on-line, a quick trip to the local library a scouring through the backlog of publications will soon unearth any potential info. Yes you will get a denial of some sorts from the company in question but if you keep spotting articles, well there is no smoke without a fire!…

If you know and understand your market you can also spot the clues to whether or not a company is on the up, treading water or worse on the slide. It's easy. Are they implementing current (and more to the point, well thought out) trends, ideas, technology… ?
No, then are they about to, in the near future?

No, oh dear, even if you are desperate are you sure that you even want to go for that interview? Well OK let's make this one a practise session, that is if you need the practise!

Having worked in the F.E. & H.E. sectors for 10 years, I know the value of qualifications. They fall into 2 categories from a good educational institution they are worth having from a bad one they are a waste of space.

The problem is how does an employer know which is which? Hell, I can tell you how to get various qualifications by just turning up!

There is a massive difference between "degree level applicant…" and "must have a degree in…". The former is elitist whilst the later makes perfect sense.

Give me experience any day of the week! So if you have the experience but not the right qualifications, don't beat yourself up about it, there are people out there who think like me, you just have to find them.

Alternatively if having the right qualification is the only way you can get to where you want to be, what are you doing reading this? Get on with it.

Location, location, location. I was born in London, I used to like working in London, well I used to. Until I woke up to what has to be one of the biggest cons going. Working in London is crap, it's dirty, smelly, takes forever to get anywhere and NO ONE PAYS ENOUGH!

If you want a comparable job done -- pay me a comparable wage! If housing costs 3 * the national average + insurance blar, blar, blar.

Then you need to pay me at least 3 * as much, or else forget it. I do not need you, you need me, because I am good, I am really good and I really make a difference. Don't try to give me some poxy living allowance I don't want it. I want the real deal!

OK I hope you understand the points I am trying to make. Don't get suckered into the big is best philosophy make it work for you, not against you.

 Think laterally at all times. Is it better to have a pay cut and potentially move sideways in order to have a better quality of life? Only you can answer that.

If nothing else, I hope that after reading this article you feel empowered and more positive about yourself.