What to Look For in a Job
The pandemic has caused a lot of us to re-evaluate our priorities, as well as what we want to be doing with our lives. Gone are the days of building your life around your career, now we are learning to focus on a proper life-work balance; allowing our careers to pay for our passions. As our lives and priorities continue to shift, you may find yourself back on the market looking for a career change.
Before you start sending your resume out to anywhere and everywhere, think about what you need from your new career. Financial stability? Flexible hours? A minimal commute? These are just a few examples of things to consider, but they all come back to “how does this career support your passions?” If you are saving to purchase a house in the next few years, you may focus more on the financial benefits than the commute time. If you are focusing on spending the sunny days outside, a career with flexible hours may be more important than financial benefits. Whatever the case, make sure you know the answer to the above question before you hit the market.
Once you’ve determined what you need out of this new job, you should start by sending resumes out to places that meet those requirements. Look for the key words in their posting that are relevant to what you are searching for. For example, if you’re looking for a set schedule, the postings that specify what hours and days you're expected to work will be more relevant than the ones that say “flexible hours.” I may be preaching to the choir, but do not apply for a position that doesn't meet your needs. You will find short term satisfaction that will eventually wear off and you'll be left with a burnt out mindset and back to square one.
The most important part of this job search is the interview. No, I’m not talking about the way you present yourself to secure the job, I’m referring to how the employer/company presents themselves to you. As much as you are being interviewed for the position, you are also assessing whether or not this company is going to provide you the work environment you're searching for. If the company's values don’t align with your needs, there is a good chance it won't be a healthy fit moving forward with your new career goals.
Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Talk to the staff. Arrive early and engage with the employees. Be aware of how others talk about the company and the work environment provided to them. If not, talk to them. Introduce yourself and ask how they like working there, how they like working under the manager. Employees are typically loyal to strong leaders and will demonstrate that while chatting with you. Read my separate blog, Leaders vs Bosses, to gain more insight about what to look for in an employer.
Come prepared. Do your research about the company and their values; be prepared with a list of questions to ensure that their values are in line with your own. If a company says they value community, ask what partnerships they have with the immediate community around them. Questions related to your values will help you learn how much they actually prioritize and align with them. Check out my list of recommended questions to ask after your interview here.
Don’t get too excited. It can be hard to spot red flags when the job and/or offer seem too good to refuse. Make sure to question yourself; why you are sold on the position, what did they say/do to excite you, but most importantly what concerns were raised and left unanswered. Before you accept, reach out and get those concerns resolved to ensure that you are confident and comfortable with the position, company and managers you would be working for.
After the interview, reflect on the above statements. If it is a good fit, you should be feeling excited about this company and the position you interviewed for, eager to accept. If there is any trace of doubt about the manager or the company, proceed with caution. If you take the job, don’t ignore the concern; make sure you are searching for the reason why you felt that way. No matter the reason why you accept the job you accept, you (and your values) should be respected by the company and people who lead it. Don’t sacrifice your time, passions and personal wellness for a job that does nothing more than pay the bills.