When it comes to job hunting, the world is your oyster. With a huge choice of possibilities for companies and businesses to work for, how do figure out where to apply? When jobs are scarce, you’d likely work anywhere, but what if you had a choice?

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Whether you’re looking to move up the career ladder or simply want a new challenge when you’re already working, you can afford to be picky with your next employer.

Get help with your decision by taking a look at the four things that should determine where to work.

1. Can you picture yourself working there?

It’s important to do some research into a company or organization before you apply. If it’s a well-known company or brand, you might have already thought about what it might be like to work there. Consider things like the sort of offices they have, what the company does and whether or not you admire the business- all of these can help you determine if the business is a good fit for you.

2. What is the office culture like?

Finding a workplace that has the right office culture is becoming an increasingly important factor for job seekers. Companies that have fantastic office culture are often featured on lists of ‘great places to work,’ such as Google, Twitter and SquareSpace, but great office culture doesn’t have to be restricted to large businesses – small businesses can also have a great working culture. Speak to people who work at the company (LinkedIn is great for this) to help you get more of a feel for the office culture.

3. What is the career progression like?

Progression possibilities are a key factor for determining where you should work. If it’s part of the reason why you’re leaving your current employer, then your next job should be somewhere where you can see more of a future. When looking for positions at a company, look at the range of positions that are available? Are there vacancies for posts in higher positions? A business’ web page can also offer valuable insight into career opportunities, featuring details of new hires and the achievements of their staff. Look for companies who are passionate about training and career development; they could be what you need to thrive in your chosen field.

4. What are their diversity and inclusion policies like?

Diversity and inclusion are two essential areas of employment, so it’s important that you choose a company that has strong policies in these areas. Study their news and achievements to see what the representation is like – factors such as the number of women on the management board can give you insight into the company and whether or not you’d like to work there. Ogletree is a great example of a company leading the way for gender equality in the workplace, awarding new shareholder status to 11 employees this year, 70% of which were women. Most companies should have their policies publicly visible on their websites, so it’s worth taking a look before you apply.

By taking the above into consideration, you could help yourself to find a workplace that is the best fit for you. If you’re still struggling to find somewhere to work, why not go it alone? Perhaps it’s time to start your own business. Whatever your decision, make sure it’s the right one for you to help you stay on track with your career goals for a happy working future.