Job Searching: Top 5 Things to Consider When Looking

Job seeking young woman shaking hands with man at Addison Group

Job searching can be overwhelming when you consider compensation, remote and hybrid opportunities, growth, and company culture. It can be hard determining your top priorities when on the hunt for a new position.

You likely spend 40 hours a week working at a job. It’s important it works for you, too. Below are five factors to consider if you’re searching for a new job and how you can weigh them.

Top 5 Things to Consider When Job Searching:

  1. Commuting vs. Working from Home

    Any time spent getting to and from the office is additional time taken from your day for work. The question is, what does this time mean to you? Some people enjoy a commute. They enjoy having the time to catch up on podcasts or get ahead on their day. However, others find a commute to be frustrating and a waste of their time.

    If you’re someone who prefers to avoid the commute, set boundaries on how far you’re willing to extend your search, or put a cap on the number of days you’re willing to commute to the office per week. Many companies still offer remote and hybrid opportunities – so be sure to ask!
  2. Company Culture

    Working for a big company can be great. They often pay well, provide great opportunities for advancement, and can have great benefits. But is it worth it if their culture doesn’t align with what you’re looking for?

    The big salary and benefits can be enticing. However, what if those things are linked to a company that isn’t a culture fit for you? Consider your own ethical and personal values when applying to companies and do some research to compare. Do they prioritize their profits over their people? Do they have strong reviews from internal employees? Do they support charities that align with your values?

    You want to feel comfortable where you’re at and be proud of the company you work for. Consider these things while applying.
  3. Growth Opportunities

    Even if you don’t know exactly what your next step is, you probably have an idea of where you want to end up. Does the position you’re applying for have any promotional opportunities?

    Does the company have a history of promoting from within? Don’t just consider the present; think about what’s best for your future self!
  4. Work/Life Balance

    With the majority of companies offering work from home opportunities the past three years, many people have grown to prioritize their work/life balance over anything.

    If you’re in a city where a commute could mean two full hours a day, what is that time worth to you? Are you fine giving up the extra hour of sleep, or ability to log off and be home as soon as the clock strikes 5:00?

    What about time off? Consider your last position. If you were only given a week or two of PTO, do you feel that was enough, or do you want more? Many companies are willing to negotiate these benefits, so ask about it before you settle for less. 
  5. Compensation

    Of course, compensation is a clear factor in any position. Determine your compensation goal and adjust your search accordingly. However, be sure to give yourself some range, as salaries can be negotiated.

Consider, then Monetize These Job Searching Tips!

There are a lot of factors to consider when applying for a new position. It’s important to take the time and think about how much you value each of them.

One way to compare these factors is to put a price tag on them. If money is most important to you, then determine your compensation goal and filter your job search to match it. On the other hand, if work/life balance is most important to you, give it a monetary value to help in your decision making.

If you see a position offering $10,000 less than your compensation goal, but you can work remotely, is that benefit worth the smaller check? Adding value to nonmonetary benefits will help you determine what to filter in your search and ultimately weigh into your final decision.

You spend at least 40 hours a week at work, so you want to make sure it works for you too. And so do we! Click here and let Addison Group help you find your next position.

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