When you are applying for a job, naturally your main focus is on selling yourself to the company you are interviewing with. But at the same time, career counselors all advise that you need to investigate the company as well, to evaluate whether it would be a good place for you to work.

One of the things you as a job seeker need to check out is the financial health of the company to which you are applying. It is a factor that is often overlooked. But it could save you a lot of headaches, because you don’t want to land a new job, only to find out a short time later that the company is going to have to lay you off because sales are slow.

Job counselors tell people to ask employers about the growth of the company on a year-to-year basis. Is the company showing solid earnings growth each year? Or does it show growth one year, but a loss the next? If it does, that should raise a red flag as far as the company’s financial viability is concerned. You should get data for at least five years. You need to keep in mind, however, that with the recent downturn in the economy, just about all companies have lost revenue these past few years.

You may feel uncomfortable asking for such information, but you shouldn’t. After all, it’s the kind of information investors ask about all the time. And your employer will give you credit for being thorough.

You also can get more information about the company’s financials from looking at the annual report and other financial documents that the company files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Most of these are available online at www.sec.gov.

You also should perform Internet research to find out any other background about the financial situation of the company. Is the company planning to buy another firm, or is another firm looking to buy the company you want to work for? That usually is a sign of financial strength. But, it could mean a reorganization where people get laid off.

If you’re looking for work in the construction, engineering, architecture or IT sectors in and around Washington, DC, contact a recruiter at RealStreet Staffing. We can help you find temporary and even direct-hire opportunities quickly. Contact us today!