How to identify your dream company or dream job?

 I consider myself a level headed person neither too intelligent nor stupid, a mix of both. And I have spent a decade in the job market of India but my observations or key takeaways can be applicable to any other "employee" in any other nation.

Firstly, there is no dream company accept it. That company you consider "dream company" will make profit at the expense of your job (fire you at the drop of the hat) or even your dead body. Try to have a professional and transactional relationship.

Secondly, the salry structure and appraisals are rigged towards the profit of the company.So, if you think you want to become rich start investing in stock market (via mutual funds) buy REITs - simply buy "assets" with your salary that is what I did and over a period of time now I can see that my lifestyle is not tied to appraisal or promotion. It makes your life so easy.

Thirdly, Have your own term insurance and medical insurance. Dont think that your company's group insurance is the best and freebie backup. If possible request HR to allow you to back out from company group insurance. I personally had a tem member who suffered in a company car accident for which he had to run around the HR and accounts department for months to get reimbursement even though papwerside all documentation was perfect. It was only when we as a team intervened subtley that the company reimbursed him.

Fourthly, before joining co relate the age of the company from Linkedin or some other company database and see how many employees are there in the company. If you see for example a 15 yrs old company with 50 employees on Linkedin it means it has very high attrition rate and their business is not growing that means there has been very little to no learning growth for a person working in that company. It means the business has not grown also to scale up the human resource.

Fifthly, try to find out visually what is the median duration of stay of eomployees in the company. you can find it in the linkedin page of the company under about us tab, at the bottom. It is auto calculated by linkedin so company cant manupulate. Check employee reviews in glassdoor, ambitonbox and other job sites to form a hollistic idea about employee stay duration. add this information with the fact that how long this company has been in business. It will give you a clear idea about the growth, policy, clarity of mission vision of the companny.

Sixth, Try to find out if the good reviews have been given by HR, admin department and current employees in the different job sites about the company. If the good reviews are more in number and from these 3 types of people be aware that the company is in image makeover mode and trying to hide something bad from prospective employees.

Seventh, There are very common types of problem and we dont love our jobs but work for money.So, when you are looking at other ex-employee reviews of your prospect company try to find common negative points and evaluate that if those points are important for you or can be overlooked. Some negative reviews are without facts just negative .So, we can for example overlook this type of reviews about companies.

eigth, be wary of company which gives breakfast to dinner for free or at discounted rate. As a bachelor you might find it lucrative but understand that the free food is there to keep you in office all day long. As a bachelor it may not matter but as a married person or as a health concious person you might want to have a private time and have home cooked lunch and dinner for free from mother's/wife's kitchen.

Ninth point, company which tries to bind you to the job via contrxt over a fixed period of time. If the pay is good and work environment is good and learning is ok, then by default an employee will stay over a period of time. If additional efforts are taken, there is a negative aspect to it.

Tenth, Contract to hire if company is hiring you in this mode then it means that the company has no intention to nurture and stay long with you. They want a purely transactional relationship. Weigh your chances there. Moreover, there are ill effects of working in contract to hire mode in terms of delayed salary payment, no increment etc.

Eleventh, too many female employees. Male female composition is tilted towards female staff. This happens beause women for various reasons are bound to one specific place due to ancestral home, marriage, so they are ready to work for less money, less learning curve, etc. It alternately means the general tendency of the company is to pay less CTC, have ashitty work environment which women are ready to tolerate but men arent. you can notice this aspect in company event videos and photos released on official website or linkedin or someother page.