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A lot of job hunting advice is about how you can make yourself look good to employers. But convincing an employer to choose you isn’t the only thing that you need to think about. You also have the opportunity to find the right employer so that you can find work that’s fulfilling and a workplace you’re happy with. You have control when it comes to looking for work too, and you should be able to choose an employer that suits you. If you end up working for a company that doesn’t treat you well or doesn’t offer an environment that you’re comfortable in, your job could make you miserable. So what should you be looking for in an employer?
A Mission You Care About
Not everyone will work in a job that they’re super passionate about. The reality of work is that sometimes you’re just looking for something that you don’t mind doing and that gets you a wage you’re content with. But that doesn’t mean you should give no thought to the work you’re doing. Your job can be much more fulfilling if you’re working for a company with a mission that you believe in. It might be that they support a good cause that you can get behind or that the aim of the company is to achieve something that interests you.
A Good Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is becoming more and more of a concern for employees today. It’s one of the most important things for Gen Z in the workplace, who don’t want to dedicate their whole lives to their employers. Even if you love your job and care about what you do, you don’t necessarily want to do it all the time. You want time for friends and family, hobbies, and going on vacation. You want to be able to take time off when you’re sick or need to go to an appointment. You might look for things such as whether you’re expected to work long hours or be contacted outside of your usual working hours. Are there flexible working policies in place, or are you ever able to work from home?
A lot of job hunting advice is about how you can make yourself look good to employers. But convincing an employer to choose you isn't the only thing that you need to think about. You also have the opportunity to find the right employer.Click To TweetOpportunities to Develop
Some people just want a job, while others are looking for a career. But even if you’re only looking for a job, you probably want something to keep you from getting bored. Opportunities to learn new things and develop your skills can be a good thing to look for from your employer, whether you’re working a job or trying to build a more long-term career. When you’re looking for jobs and attending interviews, look for opportunities to work on your skills and develop yourself. How can the employer support your growth? What opportunities might there be for training, promotion, or taking on new responsibilities?
A Welcoming Company Culture
A company’s culture can make a significant difference to the experience of working there. The culture can relate to a variety of things, from how the employer treats their employees and how employees interact with each other to how formal or casual to company and its hierarchy are. Do you prefer a more casual atmosphere, or are you looking for a workplace where the hierarchy is very defined? Do you want a workplace where everyone does their work and goes straight home or are you looking for socializing after hours?
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A Positive Reputation
A company’s reputation can tell you a lot about what it’s like to work there. What the public thinks about the company and what both current and past employees have to say should be taken into account when you’re trying to decide where to work. You can easily do some research to find out what their reputation is like. Sites like Glassdoor allow you to look at reviews from employees who can tell you what it’s like to work there. You can also find out the more general opinion from the public through customer reviews.
Benefits and Perks
How much you’re going to be paid isn’t the only thing that you should check before taking a job. You should also know what benefits you’re going to receive and if you’ll be getting any extra perks too. Some things are more important than others when it comes to benefits. You might make medical insurance a priority, but there are some non-essentials, such as a company car, which you’re not as concerned about.
While employers are assessing you, make sure you take the time to research them too. It’s important to make sure you’re a good match.
It’s Not You, It’s Your Job Search distills two decades of career coaching into 43 super-practical, achievable job-search tips that.
