Factors to Look For in a Job Other Than Pay
It’s simple – money matters. When job hunting, the salary and benefits package is an important factor to consider; after all, you have a responsibility to yourself and your family to make enough to pay the bills, take care of everyone’s health and wellness, and support any personal or financial goals you may have.
However, compensation isn’t everything. So what else should you be looking for in a new opportunity?
Joshua Becker at BecomingMinimalist, clearly outlines 12 factors to look for in a job other than a paycheck (including company values, liking your co-workers, and feeling challenged). I encourage you to read his article here as he raises many good points.
However, I have a few more that I would add to the list!
Commute
Never underestimate the perks of working close to home. Shorten your drive and you’ll save on gas, add to the lifespan of your car, be less stressed about traffic, and enjoy spending more time at home, with your family and friends, or even sleeping in!
Company Stability
It’s crucial to do research on a potential employer before you decide to make a switch. This article from MentalFloss suggests you look into the following about a company you’re considering: “Do they have a track record of layoffs and cutbacks? Are they making headlines for the right reasons (such as reaching new audience milestones or expanding the business) or ones that raise red flags (legal issues, financial troubles)?”
Flexible Schedule & Paid Time Off
Having an adequate amount of vacation and sick days is important to maintain work/life balance and lowers the risk of burnout. Knowing that your company supports you in taking time off when needed can make you a happier person and a better, more productive employee. Being able to telecommute on occasion or shift your schedule to accommodate traffic or road conditions, snow days, doctor appointments, school pick up/drop off, or other special functions your child may have can make also a big difference.
Compensation is important; it says a lot about the job and the company. But it’s not everything.
The above items, and those mentioned in Joshua’s article, are not the sole aspects to consider before taking the job. Only you know what is best for you, your career, and your happiness, so think about what is not on this list and seriously question whether or not the new job you’re considering satisfies your needs and desires. If you don’t, you may find yourself job hunting again sooner rather than later.
About the Author:
This article is written by Megan Carty, Recruiter at Automationtechies.
