12 May Workplace Criteria To Consider for Your Job Hunt
When beginning a new job hunt, having clear criteria to use as search filters will help narrow the available opportunities. While it is critical to keep in mind criteria specific to job function, location, and industry, it is equally, if not more, vital to consider your personal criteria.
Some of the personal criteria to consider include the following:
- Lifestyle – work-life balance and remote work and travel opportunities
- Compensation – bonus and equity opportunities, health and other benefits
- Employer structure and size – large corporation or small owner-operated
- Advancement and growth opportunities – training, mentorship opportunities
- Employer history and reputation – established or start-up entity
- Role structure – autonomous versus heavily structured
- Colleagues and work culture – team-building opportunities, good communication
Compensation and Growth
Compensation and growth opportunities are multi-faceted and unique to each job hunter based on expectations, skill levels, and ambitions. However, determining your foundational criteria, such as the following, will assist you in filtering your job searches and making your ultimate decision.
- Base salary
- Bonus and equity opportunities
- Room for growth
- Advancement support through training and mentorship
Research what realistic expectations look like based on the job function and industry you are considering to help you set these criteria. Look at your personal priorities and financial needs and rank the compensation elements to help you decide which are must-haves versus nice-to-haves versus unneeded altogether.
Lifestyle and Work Structure
This qualitative category of personal criteria includes less tangible, but potentially equally important, benefits of your job:
- Work-life balance
- Role structure
- Work culture and communication
Ask yourself if it will be vital for your job to offer a work-life balance, or are you willing to work long, inflexible hours? Do you need to work from home, and are you willing to travel if necessary? Do you prefer a well-defined role, or are you able to go with the flow of whatever is needed? Are teamwork and collaboration valued, or will you be competing with colleagues?
Employer Attributes
Weighing the pros and cons of criteria such as employer size, history, and reputation, can help you determine your employer preferences.
- Large vs. smaller organizations. Large companies may provide you with increased opportunities to meet more people and develop an extensive network. They may also offer increased opportunities for promotion and career advancement. However, there may be fewer opportunities to wear multiple hats and learn new skills than small businesses. In addition, large organizations may provide fewer close relationship opportunities due to the sheer numbers of employees and mean your contributions are less personally recognized.
- New vs. older companies. A job at a newly built company can allow you to contribute to its success directly. With few or newly established work structures in place, the pace is apt to be fast, and your role varied. However, a new business will not have as much of a guarantee as an established company for stability and security. It will also lack brand recognition and reputation compared with an older entity, contributing less to future career opportunities.
Keeping the criteria specific to job function, location, and industry top-of-mind during your search is crucial, but creating a clear picture of your personal criteria will help you narrow your job search and make a final decision when it comes to selecting your next job.