Re: Perks (was phone interview)

["Dana Worley" <dana -at- campbellsci -dot- com>]

I must admit that "where do folks go for lunch around here" would 
not be a question on my mind during an interview, if I were trying to 
find out more about corporate culture. At nearly every job I've 
applied for I have mentioned that I prefer to come in late/work late, 
and eat at my desk, and asked if anyone would have a problem with 
that. But that's to see if the company is flexible enough to meet *my* 
needs -- if they aren't, I don't want to work there. 

For the record, most people here eat at their desks. However, this is 
one of the best places I have ever worked. I base that statement on 
the fact that I get the tools I need to do my job, have a great working 
relationship with others in the company (including the engineers), 
and get respect for a job well done. The work is interesting, varied, 
and challenging, and I have a lot of latitude to work on my own. If I 
need to leave in the middle of the day for a doc appt., or even to 
take Snoopy-cat to the vet, I can.   

The difficult part is asking the real questions that you want to know, 
and getting a truthful answer. If you ask, will I get the tools to do my 
job, of course the answer is going to be "yes". If you ask, can I 
expect to have cooperation and respect from my colleagues, the 
answer will be "yes".

It's often impossible to judge the important issues of a job until 
you're there, and then, in a sense, it is "too late". But finding out how 
financially stable the company is, whether or not they have had lay 
offs, whether they promote from within, management styles, etc., 
may help to provide an indication of whether the corporate culture 
will be a fit with your needs.

2 cents, 
Dana W.


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