How do you vet a company?

Vet: to make a careful and critical examination of (something).

I am currently coaching a number of product leaders who are in roles they don’t like. In a few cases, they did a lot of due diligence, but still ended up in a culture that is not a fit. This week, in a group coaching session, we brainstormed ideas to vet our next target company before accepting the offer.

Here is the list:

1. Check Network

   • Backchannel to ask about the company and manager.

2. Blind

   • Glassdoor has too many planted positive reviews)

3. Tenure of Employees

   • Use LinkedIn to look up some employees

   • If it is less than 18 months for most, this should raise a flag for you

4. Interview Process

   • Who do you talk with?

   • Is there diversity?

   • Does the process seem ad hoc?

5. Questions to ask your manager

   • Note: I a tight market, I wouldn’t ask these unless you are really worried or have competing offers. But, if it is a good market or you have multiple offers…

     • Tell me about a time you fired someone or give negative feedback.

     • What does good look like at my level and the level above

     • Send User Guide/Read Me and ask for theirs and/or feedback on one aspect of yours..