What to Ask Before You Take a Job provides ten questions for an employee to consider before accepting a job. Employers, especially those concerned with Communications and Culture issues, should be prepared to answer these questions:

1. Can I see a complete list of your employee benefits?
   
   
2. Do you share profits with employees? If so, how?
   
   Companies that want employees to feel motivated and empowered in their jobs will tend to share the wealth. Look for the company tying company performance to employee compensation, such as through an employee stock-ownership plan (ESOP), a profit-sharing plan or even just annual bonus.
   
   
3. Do you open your financial books to employees? (Open-Book Management)
   
   An increasing number of companies are disclosing their annual revenues, quarterly earnings and other financial benchmarks t employees. This helps you see how you contribute to the company's bottom line. Also, listen for how the company teaches its employees about reading and interpreting their financial statements.
   
   
4. How do you solicit ideas from employees, and what do you do with those ideas?
   
   Many employers will say they have an "open door" policy -- meaning employees are welcome to walk in the bosses' office and make suggestions – or a suggestion box sitting in the cafeteria. But listen for other, more specific measures. Some companies actively encourage employee ideas by hosting regular employee brainstorming sessions or handing out prizes to employees whose ideas are implemented. Also listen for what they do with those ideas and real examples of employee ideas that were implemented.
   
   
5. What kind of training and professional development would I be provided?
   
   
6. What will be my growth opportunities within the business?
   
   
7. How will I be given feedback on my performance?
   
   
8. How does the company promote employee bonding and teamwork?
   
   
9. How does the business serve the greater community?
   
   
10. How does the company address employees in an emergency or hardship situation?