There are few things worse in life than dread going to work each day. Whether the company culture doesn’t align with your personality, you feel stuck in a rut due to next to none advancement opportunities, you find the one hour long commute too hectic, or you have to work over the weekends; you find yourself doing your dream job in a less than ideal company! Therefore, if you are looking for a new job, it is important to look beyond the salary and consider different aspects of the company and the opportunity before signing a deal!

Company Culture

This may be the single most elusive decision-making factor when it comes to choosing your next employer, yet it plays a pivotal role in guaranteeing job satisfaction. It can be rather tricky to figure out something as tangible as “office culture” before you start working somewhere, but you can sneak a peek into the working culture by using platforms such as Glassdoor and looking at the company’s social media pages, or you can leverage people in your network who may have been associated with the company before.

Are the employees at your new job happy and are they given enough flexibility to achieve the perfect work/life balance? Do they feel valued at their organization? Do they enjoy working with each other? And so forth.

Early in my career, I was offered an amazing role at a company with a somewhat questionable reputation. Thankfully, instead of jumping the gun, I took some time to dig a deep a little deep into the company culture, and as it turned out, the company did indeed have a toxic work culture. No amount of salary is worth it.

Working Hours

It may seem like a norm, but there are so many people who yearn for a 9-5 job. Before committing to a new job, it is highly important that you ask your prospective employer their expectations for regular working hours. In addition, to your working hours, get an idea of how often you may have to work after-hours.

If your new job offers different hours from what you’re used to, such as an evening shift or work on Saturdays, you may need to consider how this may impact your life. I am not really a morning person so I doubt I can ever accept an offer from a company where I am required to clock in at 7 in the morning; no matter how great the opportunity is!

Room For Growth

I once worked for one company for almost a decade because they allowed me to grow in a number of different and challenging roles, and offered continued learning and growth opportunities. Before signing the deal with a company, you should ascertain that they provide opportunities for advancement within the organization, as well as offer resources to enhance your skills, knowledge, and abilities.

As your interests and skills evolve, you may find that you want to move to a different area within the company, and a great employer will allow you to take on more challenging positions. Some companies even offer stipends for continuing ed courses or professional degrees if doing so benefits the company.

If you are looking for a long-term employment opportunity, this question will paint your future with the employer in the years to come.

Location

Are you willing to undertake an hour-long commute to get to your workplace? Though most roles are remote right now, thanks to the pandemic, you may soon have to contend with an office environment with the economy reopening. When that time comes, would you be able to manage the long commute with your lifestyle? Would you have enough time left for your family and friends on weekdays? Would you often get stuck in traffic and arrive late to work? Keep all these questions in consideration if a prospective workplace is a long way off.

Employee Benefits and Perks

Alongside a basic salary, most companies offer a benefits package; including things such as paid time off, healthcare, a pension scheme, insurance, vehicle allowance, and so forth. In order to bring onboard talented candidates, companies even go the extra mile to offer a host of competitive perks, such as training budget, free food, company car, flexible working hours, and even non-essential bonuses. Ask your interviewer what benefits and perks are being offered to you, and compare them to your current job.