When it comes to looking for a job, you need to consider much more than just your paycheck. You want to make sure that you’re happy in your career and that it fits your lifestyle. That is obviously very broad, but there are some more specific factors to consider when you’re looking for employment.
The Working Hours
It’s been said that you should work to live, not live to work. This means striking a good work-life balance with your career. The traditional full-time work schedule involves working from 9 to 5 Monday through Friday, but this isn’t the case for every job out there. Depending on where you work and what you do, you might be expected to work longer hours, work on weekends, or work evenings and nights. A work schedule that doesn’t allow you to live your life will make you miserable no matter how much money you’re making, so make sure you know what you’re getting into before you apply for a specific position.
Benefits
A large salary is a great thing to have, but there are other benefits to consider when applying for a job. These include health insurance, paid time off, bonuses, and retirement contributions. These will affect your life and career, so don’t be shy about negotiating them along with your salary.
Company Culture
Since you’ll be spending much of your time at work, you want to be sure that it’s a place where you feel comfortable. Before you accept a new position with a company, make sure that the current employees are happy there and that you’ll fit in with the overall culture. Don’t think you can fake being happy and comfortable, either; you can only put up with that for so long before your misery starts to show.
Stability
While you can argue that the days of spending decades with one employer are long gone, you still want to work for a company that will be around for the foreseeable future. You don’t want to work for a place that will close its doors within a few years or need to lay off its personnel. Look for companies that have been around for a while and have a low employee turnover.
Opportunities for Growth
Finally, look for companies that offer the chance to grow in your career. Is there a chance that you’ll get a promotion or a raise within a year or two, or will you be stuck in the same position for years? This is important to consider, especially when you’re just starting out on your career path. Even if you won’t be able to move up in a company, it might still be worth your time to accept a position that will give you experience that can be applied to other opportunities in the future.