The Glassdoor “Best Places to Work” list came out this week and I’m excited to share it on the site. Why this list vs the many others floating around? Well, I really love Glassdoor, the information they provide, and most importantly how they gather it. It is created for employees by employees and is the most honest account I’ve found of:

1. company reviews
2. salary data
3. insider info on what you can expect from interviews at different companies

All of these datapoints are SO helpful when it comes to conducting a job search. This list of the best places to work isn’t just taking into account the typical metrics, but how employees really feel about working at these companies. It takes into account the work environment and the company culture, both things you should absolutely care about when looking for your next job.

It’s 50 companies long, but scroll to the bottom and I’ll tell you what I think you should actually do with this information (if a job or internship search is in the near or distant future).

1. Pick a few companies that excite you. Deciding where to work isn’t just about a list. In an ideal world, you’d work in an amazing environment and the company’s mission and products/services would excite you. The companies above definitely have the first thing going for them, so if there are any pique your interest, keep them on your radar.
2. Get looped in about new opportunities with job alerts. As you may know, I’m a big fan of job alerts (this post details how to set them up). They enable you to find out about new job opportunities without stalking company websites every day. While you may not be looking to make a move now, there’s no harm in knowing what’s out there and passively exploring jobs at great companies. If you’re looking for internships, they get posted at all different times, so check the websites first to see if something is currently posted and if not you can set up a job alert so you know when internships become available.
3. Talk to friends/networking contacts about these companies. Have a friend who works at one of these companies? Met someone at a networking event? Ask them a few questions about what it’s really like to work there. Is it as great as people are saying? Generally when a friend has asked me about the company I was working at, I’d sense some sort of interest and keep them in the loop if something interesting popped up.

I often hear people saying “I don’t know where to start” or “I don’t even know what I want to do” when they’re at the beginning of their job searches. I am a firm believer that the “where” you work is just as important as the “what” you do, so if you’re feeling stuck, start with great companies and let that lead you to the type of work available. Work environment should not be underestimated!