Is that Job Right for You? 5 Factors to Help You Decide

October 4, 2017
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Any job is potentially terrific if it is the right match for you. So how can you evaluate a job offer every bit as carefully as your prospective employer evaluates you for the job? Careful consideration of each of the following factors, in addition to job content and compensation, can help you to make an objective determination:

  1. Clear Paths to Advancement: Anthony Robbins has said that everything we do is driven by one of two motivations: the pursuit of pleasure or the avoidance of pain. We often find in our discussions that people are unhappy because they are not focused enough on the pleasure of pursuing advancement in their careers. When considering a job offer, think about the mentality with which you will approach the position each day. If you have a clear path to desirable opportunities within the company, you will be more likely to focus on abstract thinking, being creative and innovative, and generating new opportunities to shine. Having this kind of focus makes you happier at work and more likely to excel.
  1. Workplace Culture: One of the reasons corporations define a mission is to build a distinct set of cultural values, aspirations, and expectations around it. This attracts customers, investors, and employees. Before accepting a position, research the company’s mission and culture on its website, LinkedIn profile, and social media platforms. During your interviews, ask about the culture and how employees are expected to fulfill the corporate values. Do the company’s ideas align with your perspectives and working style? Is what’s important to the employees important to you? Working with like-minded people in a culture that marries well to your values is essential to your job satisfaction.
  1. Health Benefits: If you are considering multiple opportunities, salary alone does not determine the value of the compensation package. As health care costs have risen dramatically over the past decade or more, the value of a good health care package can be upwards of $8,000 per year. Explore the available plans and make sure they cover any services and treatments you may need. Find out if your current primary care doctor is a part of the available plans, and what your co-pays and deductibles will amount to each month. Ask about other healthcare benefits that can reduce your costs, such as flexible spending accounts that you can use toward the purchase of over-the-counter drugs. If you are going to have children, carefully consider the available time off for expectant parents.
  1. Uplifting Workplace Connections: It can be difficult to assess during the interview process how your personality will mesh with superiors and colleagues, yet it’s absolutely one of the most important factors in taking a job. Since you will be spending 40 or more hours per week with these people, it is vitally important that you feel a sense of connectedness. A recent Harvard Business Review study found that poor social connections in the workplace can lead to declining health. We recommend asking the hiring manager about your future co-workers, and your future co-workers about your direct manager(s). Gauge whether they are happy in their positions and with their working relationships. Request the opportunity to meet with everyone, especially the managers. If possible, try to initiate lighter conversations at appropriate times during the interviews. Ask about their experiences working with the company, and see if they express happiness with the culture and their team.
  1. Work-Life Balance: Many professionals have determined that finding a work-life balance is essential to long-term health and happiness. There are high-turnover companies that deliberately work their employees to exhaustion and achieve success at the expense of the people who helped to earn it. If maintaining a balance between your professional life and time with friends and family is important to you, look for work-life balance benefits. These include generous paid time off, a flexible work schedule, the option to go off the grid during off-hours, and paid and unpaid leave. Companies that want to attract top talent are increasingly offering benefits like these, and they are seeing improved employee retention as a result.

If these factors cause you to reconsider a job offer that has been extended, you should not feel guilty about declining the job offer. Hiring managers seek the best possible candidate fit and recognize your equally important need for the right employer fit. Just be sure to be gracious and grateful if you decline or back out of an offer.