Q: I've finally been offered a job that's totally in tune with my skills, and they're offering me 20% more than I made at my last job.  The company itself, though, has a tendency to squash smaller competitors.  I've read and heard about some alleged corporate spying they've done.  While the position and pay they've offered me seems attractive, the company, itself, does not.  If I take the job, am I making a dealth with the devil?

A: Making a deal with the devil?  Maybe...and maybe not.

Your personal business ethics will help you determine whether you feel you're making a deal with the devil or not.  From what you wrote, the company in question doesn't appear to engage in good business ethics.  You'll need to probe your own business ethics to determine whether or not taking the job will equal making a deal with the devil.  Here are a few things for you to consider:

Hearsay or reality?  In the corporate world, competitors constantly try to put each other in the worst light possible.  PR departments are paid to not only promote their own company's products, but often to produce fictions about competitors, as well.  To sort the fiction from reality, you'll need to do some solid research.  Have you only heard rumors about unethical behavior?  Or is what you've heard been stone cold facts?  Knowing the truth is the first step in determining whether or you'd be making a deal with the devil.

Ethical risk v. reward.  The reason some take the leap and make a deal with the devil is they don't think they'll need to compromise their own  ethics.  They may reason that they're not the ones who are actually causing harm, then they are blameless.  Given their logic, they feel little risk.  If you take the gig you've been offered, will you need compromise your ethical standards?  If so, can you live with it?  Even if you don't personally have to go against what you feel is right, are you comfortable with working for a company that acts against your sense of ethics?  If you're not comfortable and take the job anyway, then you truly would be making a deal with the devil.

If it walks like a duck...  The very nature of your question indicates that you know working for this company isn't in your best interest.  It seems to indicate you know you'd be making a deal with the devil.  If, after researching the company, you are convinced what you've heard is true, then it probably is true.  If you've read bad things about the company's business practices and you've heard bad things about the company's business ethics, then it may indeed be a bad move for you to take the job.  If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, after all, it's most likely a duck.  Your very question indicates you know taking this job with this company will be akin to making a deal with the devil.

IN THE CARAVAN: To determine whether you'd be making a deal with the devil if you take this job, research the company, determine whether you'll need to comporomise your standards, and realize that if you're this nervous about taking the gig, then you probably shouldn't.

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