Although it may be tempting to take the first job offer thrown your way, there is a chance that it may not be what you are truly looking for in a career. Unfortunately, when navigating the job market, most candidates only look at the salary they will be receiving and often overlook other factors that may be important. From employee benefits to other non-tangible perks, there is a lot of things to consider before accepting a new job. While not every consideration in this article will make sense for everyone, it is important to know what you genuinely want from your upcoming career choice before accepting a job from a potential employer. 

Retirement Plans

Most young job seekers tend to overlook the fact that the jobs they are pursuing do not have include retirement plan options. Ultimately, the best time to get started in planning the future is while you are young to ensure you can retire as soon as possible and continue to live comfortably into your golden years. Take the time to review the retirement plan options a potential employer provides and see if they are what you are looking for if you want to ensure you are not working forever and not enjoying the later stages of your life. 

Room to Grow

It is rare to find and employee that does not want to climb the corporate ladder and obtain all the benefits that come with higher positions and more responsibility. Staying in a career that provides no room for growth is often a driving factor that leads some of the best employees a business has to ultimately seek employment elsewhere. By learning what growth opportunities are available now, you can avoid working for just experience and ensure you have a clear career path of what is next when you sign on with a company and how to get there. 

Company Culture

Finding a career that has a company culture that matches your strengths and ideals is critical for job satisfaction. While your unique idea of a good time may be vastly different from another’s there is likely a career path for both that fits that company culture goal now. Before accepting a job, it is important to learn more about the culture of the business extending an offer and determining if you would be happy working under that culture. Some factors to consider include the behavior of other employees, the physical space you are afforded and how tolerable the noise levels are for you. 

Benefits and Perks

Although an important part of any job, employee benefits and perks are often overlooked by potential employees if the salary number is alluring enough. Unfortunately, these other options may represent up to 30% of your compensation and you could be leaving them on the table for a solid figure. Things to look for in comprehensive benefits and perks plans include paid time off, sick leave, insurance options, vacation time and much more. Find the benefits and salary combination that you are most comfortable with before choosing an employer. 

Commute Times

For most people, driving to and from work for 30+ minutes each day is not fun; however, that may be perfectly acceptable for some, if the rest of the job makes sense for their career goals. No matter which approach you take, it is important to ensure you are considering your commute into the other factors listed above. Look for a convenient commuting option to avoid headaches, later on, to ensure you do not lose your love for your new career due to the morning drive. 

Why Certified?

At Certified Source, we go above and beyond to make sure our clients are protected and experience service excellence. All of our staff members are Certified Staffing Professionals credentialed by the American Staffing Association. For more information, view all current job positions available.