There are plenty of ways to find out what life at Company A will be like. First, consider your local library. We know, you promised yourself you'd never set foot in the place again after graduation . . . but a library does have invaluable resources. If the company is massive, consult some trade publications or check out a business oriented newspaper. The key words you may be looking for here are "downsizing," "litigation," and "record setting fines." Of course, keep your eyes peeled for positive company info as well. If you have a specific interest in the company, such as their treatment of working families, hunt down a special interest periodical like Working Mother which annually ranks companies on their family-friendliness. For those with a little more technological savvy, the Internet provides a wealth of valuable company information that can be easily hunted down. Does a friend or acquaintance work there? Give him or her a call.

If you're having problems knowing what to look for in a new employer, ask yourself a few questions: What do I want out of my career? Does the salary meet my current needs? How about in the future? What will be asked of me? Can I meet those demands? Am I jumping at the first offer--did I want to work in a different industry? Do I see myself spending my whole life here? What if I want to leave at some point? Do I know everything I should about my salary/perks/benefits? Do they meet my needs? Any of these would be a great place to start. And if you can answer them they'll give you some inkling of whether or not you'll like the job. Just because you get the offer doesn't mean the hunt is done. Better to figure out whether or not you really care for Company A before you start the job.