Everybody Wants to Date A Supermodel…

Let’s face facts: humans are superficial animals. We tend to be attracted to the those with the most pleasing visual characteristics. This doesn’t only apply to our choice of mate, either. A fancy waiting room, individual flavored coffee pods, free booze on Fridays, a respected industry known name. When it comes to the corporate world, these perks are the equivalent of a strong jawline, six pack abs or a trim figure.

And while these are fine characteristics in a super model, they may not exactly be the best for evaluating whether a particular company is a good career prospect. It turns out that when evaluating a new perspective employer, it may make sense to follow your mother’s advice and look at substance over aesthetics. Here we break down why you should look beyond the superficial elements to a new position when deciding to make a career move.

Biggers Isn’t Always Better

In corporate America, it seems to be the bigger the name the more attractive the company is as a job prospect. Everybody wants to work for names like McKinsey, Goldman, and Skadden. While these firms may have many fine aspects, and can make great careers for some people, don’t think that name recognition equals work satisfaction.

Larger firms can often have established and even rigid work cultures, making individuality in style or flexibility in your career difficult. The larger the firm, the more set in stone the procedure for advancement. From educational background to prior internship experience, typically there is only one way to make partner, or reach the executive level. Don’t fit that model exactly to a T and you could find yourself being left in the cold.

Work Perks or Obligations

While larger firms may also offer sexier perks on paper, you should consider that no company in the business of making money offers up a perk or benefit without understanding and expecting a profit in return. In exchange for those team building vacations to Aspen or social happy hour on Friday afternoons, larger brand companies will often expect longer hours spent in the office or have a higher, even unrealistic, standard for work quality. Don’t meet those expectations and you can see your high-flying lifestyle disappear quicker than you can say appletini.

Look at the Overall Picture

Before you dismiss a career prospect based on name or well-known reputation, consider all aspects of the company and position. During the interview ask questions regarding work life balance and Firm culture and don’t be afraid to inquire as to specific billable hour or work load requirements. Professional networking sites and job boards can also be excellent resources for conducting independent research about a company if its large enough to have an alumni base.

The Bottom Line

While the glitz and glamor of a large firm environment may seem initially attractive, realize that there is always the potential for these kinds of extras amounting to putting lipstick on a pig. Instead of the limited number of “big” companies in your field, there are thousands of other firms out there that often offer better pay, a better lifestyle, and would be interested in talking to you. In the long run these positions may lead to a better quality of life or work/life balance which equates to greater overall happiness, and that is something you can’t put a dollar value on.