What You Should Consider When Looking for A New Job?

When deciding if a new job is right for you, it’s important to look at more than just the salary. While salary is important, it doesn’t always equate to happiness. Here are eight things to consider when weighing the pros and cons of a new job.

1.Benefits

Remember that your base salary is only part of your compensation package. Insurance, pension contributions, paid time off, equity, bonuses and more should be considered – and negotiated – before you sign. It’s important to also ask your potential employer about perks the company offers: Are there wellness plans (including discounts on things like gym memberships), pre-tax travel options, or reimbursement for moving expenses available to you?

2.Hours

Not every office job is a “9 to 5” job. Before committing to a job change, communicate with your potential employer about expectations for regular working hours. Aside from whether your start time is 9:00 or 10:00 in the morning, try to get an idea of how much after-hours work is considered normal. And if you are considering a job with different hours than you are used to (e.g. weekend work, evening work, or early shift), make a list of how this change will affect your life – you may not be as big a morning person as you thought.

3.Office Culture

Getting a handle on your new job’s working hours can also help you identify one of the most elusive decision-making factors: the company’s office culture. Are the employees at your new workplace happy? Do they enjoy working for the company – and with each other – and do they feel that their work is valued? While something as intangible as “office culture” and “mood” can be difficult to figure out before the start date, answers to questions about flexible working hours, team-building events, and regular meetings (opportunities to give and receive feedback) can be a valuable litmus test.

4.The Team

Nothing influences office culture more than your employees, which is why it’s a good idea to get to know as many as possible during the interview process. While the hiring manager can talk about the talent and commitment of the team, your colleagues – if it’s possible to talk to them – can shed light on group dynamics and management, and share their own reasons for choosing the company. Consider all interactions, including email responses (are they punctual and polite?) when deciding whether you want to work with these people.

It’s also important to take a look at staff in more senior positions. Do some research to learn about the people who will be your managers. Do you see mentoring potential in any of them? Do they have a track record of supporting younger talent? And look beyond the immediate hierarchy – if there were to be a change in management, would you be happy with the new leadership?

5.Passion

A good indicator of your prospective team’s satisfaction is the passion with which they approach their work. A unified vision and values can inspire the office atmosphere. Ask yourself if the company’s mission excites you as much as (hopefully) your potential employees – this can be a good indicator of whether the job is a good fit for you.

6.Growth Opportunities

During the interview, be sure to ask about opportunities for advancement within the company. Not only will this help you get a better idea of what a future with this employer could look like, but it will also show the recruiter that you want to invest your time and talents in the company for the long term. It’s also worth scouring the social media pages of your potential company’s employees; pay attention to how long they stay in the same position, for example

And while the traditional growth path involves promotion to higher positions within your department, it’s also worth asking about horizontal opportunities. As your skills and interests develop, you may want to consider a lateral move into another area within the company.

7.Educational Opportunities

The bottom line is that you want to work for a company that supports and encourages your development – and sometimes you will need additional training to do this. Find out if the company provides scholarships for continuing education courses or professional degrees – and also if employees are encouraged to take advantage of these resources.

8.Company History and Stability

It cannot be stressed enough that you should find out about your potential employer before agreeing with anything official. Do they have a track record of redundancies and retrenchments? Are they making headlines for the right reasons (e.g. hitting new audience milestones or expanding the business) or for reasons that raise red flags (legal issues, financial difficulties)? While getting into a startup can be exciting, it is also a big risk – be realistic about whether it is a good time for you to launch a startup.

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