What to Look for in a Job

Fun fact, most people will have about 12 different jobs in their working lifetime. This goes to show that finding a job that you love enough to hang onto takes some forethought and possibly a bit of trial and error. Just the same, you can make some plans in advance, helping you land in a position that leaves you perfectly content. Check out a few things to look for when looking for that perfect job.

Aligns with Your Skill Sets

Consider your skills? When your skill sets align with your job, it can breed uber satisfaction with what you do. Employees with matching skill sets feel more confident in their positions, excelling faster and staying longer.

An old saying is that if you love what you're doing, you'll never work a day in your life. This is because when you're doing something you actually enjoy, going to a place of employment feels a lot less like just doing something because you need to make money. Therefore, looking for a job that offers something you enjoy can be worth a lot. Although you may not enjoy every aspect of every job, there will likely be positions that require daily activities or objectives directly appealing to you.

Desirable Company Culture

Company culture is the overall ethos of the organization. It is the values of the company, the way employees feel while at work, and how leaders and employees interact. Company culture naturally differs from place to place, and some employees are a better fit for certain cultural settings than others. It can be hard to get a feel for company culture before getting hired, but you can get a little insight by:

• Talking to current and former employees
• Checking for recent news and events about the company
• Looking at how the company presents itself in the media
• Seeing who the company associates with or is affiliated with
• Looking at customer and employee reviews online

Competitive Pay and Benefits

Finding a job you love may not be all about money. But, let's be honest, the money and benefits are important because if you're seeking a job, it likely has to do with needing financial sustenance. Not all companies disclose their pay rates and benefits openly, but some do. Check out job listings posted by the company and look for salary reviews on Glassdoor.

The Right Location

Most people want to stick as close to home as possible when it comes to employment, while others love to travel. Some jobs offer a stationary workplace, while others expect employees to travel to different locations. Think about your commute and travel preferences, ensuring a position suits you well. Something like a one-hour commute may not sound too bad until your two hours of driving time are a daily thing.

Fits Your Schedule

What kind of hours do you need to align with your life schedule? Do you prefer full-time, part-time, or flexible hours? Today, schedules can be a bit more flexible with some companies due to hybrid and remote working arrangements. These are important things to consider before starting your search to find a job.

Consider Remote vs. Hybrid vs. In-Person Jobs

This one is a big one. Today, about 15 percent of jobs offered by the country's largest employers are remote, and that number is expected to grow. Further, a lot of companies have adopted and maintained hybrid employment models, which are basically jobs that don't require employees to always be at the office; they can also work from home. Consider what works best for you and intentionally seek positions that fit.

Resume

Your resume reflects your accomplishments, skill sets, and previous work and education history—three things a hiring manager or recruiter will prioritize in their search. A few good tips include:

• Keep it brief, you should fit everything onto one full page
• Tailor the pertinent information (including keywords) to the position
• Use action verbs like "managed", "created", or "developed" in your bullet points
• Include unique or interesting experiences you've had that will peak a recruiter's interest