When looking for jobs, there are so many factors that determine whether a role could be right for you and your needs.
The things you need from a job will be personal to your needs and goals, so it’s always a good idea to figure out what you want and need from a job when looking for work. It’ll help you narrow down the jobs that are best suited to you!
Here are 7 essential things to consider when looking for jobs.
1. Working hours
Working hours won’t always be 9 to 5. They differ from job to job, and across industries.
Your working hours need to suit you – it’s important for your work/life balance! Think about whether you are happy with working on weekends, doing overtime, or working part time, and make sure you look at the expected working hours and additional/potential requirements related to your time when reading job vacancies.
A good question to ask is ‘What does a normal week look like for this job?’. You can find out the answer to this question by reading stories of people in similar jobs to the one you want, and also by asking your potential employer in your interview.
2. Expectations
Speaking of expectations, what you’ll be expected to do in your role is a big one. It’s key to ask yourself these questions:
- What will I be required to do in this role?
- Do I have the necessary skills and qualifications for this role already?
- If I don’t have all the skills and knowledge needed, could I still be successful in this role with support?
- Is this what I will be happy doing?
Some extra things to think about are whether you’ll be working alone or as a team, or in an office or on location. Your preferences will make a big difference to how much you enjoy your job.
3. The benefits
In your CV and interview, you’ll show your potential employer why you’re the best person for the job. But what’s in it for you?
Many jobs talk about their benefits in job vacancies. These can include the number of holiday days (something most workers are legally entitled to), joining a pension scheme (it’s never too early to join one), bonuses, travel reimbursement or opportunities, and even healthcare schemes.
Not all employers will have every benefit you can find. That’s why it’s important to think about what is really important to you and comapre what different companies have to offer. What can they offer you?
4. Company & culture
We’ve talked about companies and their culture before when we explored employer red flags.
Before you apply, research the company and ask these questions:
- Have they been shown negatively in the media?
- Have they been downsizing recently? This can give you a hint at how secure your job could be.
- How do they compare to the other companies you’ve been looking at?
- What are their values?
- Do they have activities that build a positive culture such as access to support, employee networks and team building events?
You can also get a look at the culture when you go for your interview. Are the employees friendly? Do they seem happy? Trust your instincts!
Check out 10 things you should look for in a good employer.
5. Progression
You probably want to know if you’ll have the opportunity to develop and grow in your role. It’s all about what your goals are – you might want future promotions, pay rises with time and experience, or opportunities to gain qualifications, complete training or take on extra responsibility.
Employers are likely to state what the future could look like for you, especially in entry-level, apprenticeship and graduate roles – they want to employ people that will stay and grow with the company. If you’re unsure, don’t be afraid to ask.
6. Location
While this may seem obvious, location is key. Whether you’re looking to relocate or find work near you, here are some things to consider:
- How long will it take me to commute and will there be obstacles like rush hour traffic or common delays on the route?
- How will I commute? Are there travel schemes or reimbursements in place to support me?
- Is there on site parking? If there isn’t, how much will it cost?
- Will my new salary cover the costs of travel?
Different people are willing to commute for different amounts of time for jobs. Indeed has some advice about commuting, and how long is too long to travel for you.
There are ways for you to get support with commuting. However, if it’s a barrier for you, you might want to consider whether you need to look for jobs that are remote, or have flexibility to work from home (hybrid).
7. Salary
Similar jobs will have different salaries depending on what sector you are in and who your employer is. It’s important that your salary will definitely cover the basic needs e.g. rent, gas/electric, transport, food etc.
It should also ideally give you a little extra to save for when you really need it. Take a look at how much money you’ll have leaving your bank account each month (i.e. your budget), including monthly payments and bigger costs you’ll expect to pay later in the year.
This will give you an idea of what salary range you need to be aiming for. Remember: a salary is something that you can usually negotiate. A lot of job vacancies will give a sliding scale for salary, and state that it will depend on your knowledge and experience. If you can prove your skills are worth more, consider if you want to negotiate for a higher salary. This advice about asking for a payrise has some tips that could be useful for negotiatig a salary.
