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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..