Should I Accept an Interview or Job Offer from a Company with Negative Reviews?

The internet has forever changed how we exchange information. For one, it allows you to learn about experiences from people you’ve never met! Before you buy that $300 vacuum cleaner, you can read online reviews to learn if other users have found it to be a worthwhile purchase.

Not only can you read reviews about products and services, you can also learn about employers online. Websites like Glassdoor and Indeed provide reviews and ratings from current and former employees. This raises the question: if you read something negative about a potential employer, is it game over?

Before you make a decision, follow these three steps: 

Put on your detective cap.

Be thorough and ask yourself:

• When was the review posted? Realize that changes may have occurred within the company since the review was published, such as new management or an acquisition. A lot can happen in three years – or even three months!
• What is the job title and location of the reviewer? Is this person from the same department or location that you would work in? Remember that culture can vary across an organization.
• Did the employer respond? Did the employer address the negative feedback? Was the employer professional? Take note of how the response (or lack thereof) impacts your perception of the company.   

Look beyond employer review sites.

Don’t base your assumptions on one review or even one website. Take time to also review:   

• Google. This is the gateway to finding just about anything you’d like to know about a company, its competitors, and general online presence.
• Company website. This is the best way to learn how a company wants to be perceived and what it considers most important. Take note of their vision and values, and then compare them to your own.
• Social media. The most influential professional network is LinkedIn. Use it to see the people you may already be connected to within the organization. You can also gather insight about the company culture on Facebook and Twitter.

Talk to a recruiter.

If you’re working with a recruiter, discuss your concerns and share the feedback you’ve read or heard. A recruiter can often provide a helpful perspective, such as personal experiences with the company or recent company changes.

Keep in mind that every company has a few unhappy employees – even consistently top-rated places to work. While it’s easy to get caught up in reviews, make sure that you consider a variety of sources before forming your own opinion. And don’t overlook your own observations. If you’ve had a positive personal experience with the company, take it to heart.

And don’t forget the most powerful tool when making any decision: your gut. Trust it – it’s usually right!