This is an awesome post and I agree with you 110% on everything but one little section:
THIS isn't always true and I know better than most and from experience, this doesn't always make for a good company.Two of the companies I worked for in the past had been around for many years, had money to back them up, came to ME with very high remarks from others, I DID my homework on them and I was the one doing the interviewing, I KNEW I qualified and knew I could do the jobs. HOWEVER, these two companies ended up getting extremely greedy and walked with a LOT of peoples money, and I mean A LOT!! SOme of you know who I am talking about in both cases. Boy did I ever get slapped in the face, as well as others involved by both, and both had been around.
So don't always put your faith in a company that has been around for many years, this isn't always a safety aspect when looking for a job.
DO NOT be afraid to ask them for THEIR references, you are having to put your neck on the line as well, so don't be afraid to do some interviewing and asking for references of your own. And don't take what THEY say or their friends as references, seek out others that know them but aren't necessarily close to them.
I now work for two companies, and I couldn't be happier with either one, but it was a long road to get where I am and with the companies I am with now.
I didn't mean to go on here, I just wanted to make it clear that just because someone has been around for many years, doesn't make them a good company, or an honest one, just makes them good at what they do, scam people. Even though they always get caught, someone has to get hurt before this happens.
DO NOT be afraid to do your homework!! That's all.
Otherwise, this is one of the best posts I have seen on here in a very long time.
