Searching for a new job can be a trying task, especially if you are in-between employment at the moment. Spending hours upon hours going over your resume and then having to wait a seemingly endless amount of time just to receive a reply can be extremely nerve-racking. After waiting for a new job opportunity for so long, many people will simply jump at the chance to get started, and they will probably sign whatever is needed. This could set you up for failure if the new role does not meet your expectations in the long run. Consequently, it is wise to consider the following before accepting a new job.
Culture
The company’s overall culture must mesh with your own. If processes and procedures do not work well with your personality or beliefs, you may find yourself in a job that is simply being completed for a paycheck rather than job fulfillment. You will also find yourself out of place very quickly if you are not one for competitiveness in an industry that emphasizes competition or providing goods or services that you disagree with or do not believe in.
First impressions
Remember, this new job is going to be where you will be spending the next eight hours a day, five days a week. Although it is hard to get an exact impression on your potential boss as well as your co-workers, it is important to use your intuition when deciding if you feel that you will feel content working for them.
Workload
When you are being told about the role and what is expected of you, make sure you ask plenty of questions about the work you will be doing on a day-to-day basis. When you leave the interview, you will be able to think about what is expected of you and if it is actually within your ability to handle. In addition, find out if your new job expects you to take work home with you; while this may be okay for some people, this type of job may interfere with someone who has a family to take care of after they leave the premises.
Opportunity
Find out what types of opportunities come from your hard work. While many people choose to keep their head down for a stable job that they enjoy, others want to know if there is room for progression within the company. Competition could play an important factor in moving up in a company, so make sure you are mentally and physically prepared for that.
Pay
Money is not necessarily everything, but it is perfectly appropriate to question whether you will be fairly compensated for the work you will be doing within a given industry. It can be an uncomfortable topic to talk about, but it is crucial to know what kind of raises and promotions could potentially occur in your position, if flexible hours are available or even profit sharing.
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