Recruiter Secrets Part 5: The Fortune-Teller Problem

Previous launches you may have missed…

Launchpad

• Recruiter Secrets Part 4: Navigating legal and discrimination landmines in interviews

• Recruiter Secrets Part 3: The truth about company culture

• Recruiter Secrets Part 2: Questions recruiters don’t like answering

• Recruiter Secrets Part 1: Talking salary

Final Draft Resumes Career Advice

• How to write a resume with zero experience

Looking for remote jobs?

Try Underdog and start applying in 60 seconds.

PS: I have over 20 more hidden job boards like this that you probably haven’t heard of.

…they’re all part of the Job Seeker’s Tool box, a digital toolkit that contains a ton of helpful resources to help you dial in your job search and land a job faster.

Some of the guides and resources that come with it include…

• 20+hidden job boards

• How to find a job without applying online

• How to ace your job interview every time

• Never lose track of another job application

• and much, much more.

How to know if the company you want to work for has a future

Job security is a top priority for most job seekers. But how do you ask about a company's future plans without raising red flags?

It's a delicate balance, isn't it? You want to know if the company is stable, but you don't want to seem like you're already planning your exit strategy.

This is what we call the "Fortune-Teller Problem." It's the challenge of trying to predict a company's future when even the insiders might not have all the answers.

Why It's Difficult to Get Straight Answers

So, why is it so tricky to get straight answers about a company's future plans? Well, there are a few reasons.

First, recruiters and hiring managers are often bound by confidentiality agreements. They may know things they simply can't share.

Second, companies are often in flux. What's true today might not be true tomorrow.

Lastly, even if they wanted to, most employees can't predict the future of their company with 100% accuracy. After all, if they could, they'd probably be running the place, right?

Doing Your Own Research

So, what's a job seeker to do? How can you get the information you need without putting your potential employer on the spot?

The key is to do your own research. Think of yourself as a detective, piecing together clues about the company's health and future prospects.

Start with the company's public financial reports if they're available. These can give you a sense of the company's financial health.

Look for news articles about the company. Are they expanding? Contracting? Making big changes?

Check out the company's social media presence. What kind of image are they projecting to the world?

Asking Questions in the Interview

But what if you've done all this research and you still have questions? How can you address them in an interview without seeming pushy or negative?

The trick is to frame your questions in a positive, forward-looking way. Instead of asking about potential layoffs, ask about growth opportunities.

For example, you might say, "What do you see as the biggest opportunities for the company in the next few years?" This gives the interviewer a chance to talk about positive future plans.

Or you could ask, "How has the company navigated recent industry changes?" This can give you insight into the company's adaptability and stability.

Remember, the goal is to gather information, not to put the interviewer on the defensive. Keep your tone curious and positive.

Pay attention to the interviewer's body language and tone when they answer these questions. Are they enthusiastic? Evasive? This can tell you a lot.

Dealing with Uncertainty

Of course, even with all this information, there's still an element of uncertainty. No job is 100% secure, and no company's future is set in stone.

So, how do you make a decision with imperfect information? It comes down to weighing the risks and benefits.

Consider the company's track record. Have they been stable in the past? Do they have a history of treating employees well, even during tough times?

Think about the industry as a whole. Is it growing? Shrinking? Undergoing major changes?

And don't forget to factor in your own goals and risk tolerance. Are you willing to take a chance on a less stable company if it offers great growth potential?

Self-Reflection

Remember, you're not just evaluating the company. They're also evaluating you.

So while you're trying to predict their future, take some time to think about your own. Where do you want to be in five years? Does this company align with those goals?

It's also worth considering how you'd handle it if things didn't work out as planned. Do you have a financial cushion? Transferable skills?

To sum it all up…

In the end, there's no crystal ball that can tell you with certainty what a company's future holds. But by doing your research and asking thoughtful questions, you can make a more informed decision.

Remember, it's not about finding a perfect, risk-free job. Those don't exist. It's about finding a role that aligns with your goals and offers a level of stability you're comfortable with.

So go ahead, channel your inner detective. Do your research, ask those questions, and trust your instincts.

After all, while you can't predict the future, you can certainly prepare for it. And in the ever-changing world of work, that preparation can make all the difference.