Evaluating Employers

Surveys shows that the factors presented below contribute most to job satisfaction or dissatisfaction of employees at the professional level. They are grouped according to category but are not listed in any priority order. Since people vary greatly in the factors they judge important, you may want to establish your own order of priorities by assigning a value to each factor. Each organization can then be rated according to how satisfactorily it meets that value.

The Job

  • Intellectual stimulation
  • Opportunity to learn new skills
  • Opportunity to apply academic training
  • Opportunity for individual achievement
  • Exposure to outstanding colleagues
  • Opportunity to work independently
  • Opportunity to travel
  • Frequency of travel
  • Personalities of supervisors and colleagues
  • Social significance of job
  • Physical environment and working conditions
  • Pressure and pace of work


The Organization

  • Technologically innovative
  • High investment in R & D
  • Quality of products or services
  • Management style
  • Opportunities for advancement
  • Encouragement of professional growth
  • Reputation and image of company
  • Financial stability
  • Salary and benefits
  • Personnel policies (demands on personal time, requiring relocations)
  • Future direction of company’s growth

The Location

  • Proximity to colleges and universities
  • Opportunities for spouse’s career
  • Climate
  • Cost of living
  • Community life
  • Proximity to family

The Industry

  • Growth history
  • Future needs for goods and services
  • Dependence on the business cycle
  • Dependence on government policies and programs

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revised 01/16/04 pjf