When you’re fresh out of college, it’s common to get distracted by the huge monthly pay and hourly rates. If you crack this interview, you wouldn’t have to worry for the rest of your life.
However, that’s an absurd idea. While money can buy happiness, it can’t do so at the cost of your mental health. If you get a job with a high salary but find yourself facing a lack of opportunities or difficult office culture, you’ll likely find yourself looking for a job soon after.
Isn’t it better to find the right job from the start– at least one you would happily stick to for a year? Knowing what to consider other than the salary will also help you narrow down jobs on the job boards.
Things to Consider While Looking for a Job
1. What’s the scope of opportunity?
The starting salary itself isn’t as important as your potential to earn. Look for jobs where you have the opportunity to test yourself and be rewarded accordingly.
Some companies have bonuses or raise lined up if you meet certain goals. You should have a clear idea of what metrics the company focuses on to determine high performance. If you can meet those, a lower starting salary doesn’t matter. You will be getting way more in your bank account when you meet those metrics.
2. Work-life balance
Suppose you go for a job with a high starting salary. Perhaps you’re lucky enough to find one where the base salary and potential rewards are amazing. However, is it a company where you can strike a work-life balance? Is it possible you will be required to work so much that you have to let go of important personal relationships?
What is the management doing to make your personal life easier? Do they have a hybrid working option? Is remote work a possibility? If it is, you also save gas by not having to commute, which you should consider in the package. Do you log in by the hours, or is the focus on getting the job done?
A high salary with a bad life balance will quickly drain any energy you have towards your job.
3. What’s the career trajectory?
You have to consider beyond the first year for the company. Is there a roadmap as to how to get to a senior position? Does the company provide a training program? Try and connect with people from the company you’re considering on LinkedIn. Ask them about the culture and their own career trajectory in the company.
It would be a good idea to contact someone who left the company. They’re likely to be more honest about it. If it looks like most employees have a short lifespan there, well, you know this isn’t the one.
4. The company structure
What is the organizational structure of the company? Is it hierarchical or horizontal? Which one would work for you?
If you want more creative input and a chance to branch out, you would prefer a company with a horizontal style. If you feel more comfortable with proper structure and a clear understanding of who to turn to in a crisis, you will feel better with hierarchy.
Additionally, what about the managers and your teammates? Are the hiring managers kind when talking about their employees? Ask the person who would be in charge of you about the leadership style. What do they envision for the company? What are their values? Do they come off as sincere and honest? Because these good habits will be passed on to the rest of your colleagues.
5. What about the fringe benefits?
Do they give health insurance? Are there scheduled vacations and Christmas gifts and parties you get invited to but can turn down with no pressure?
Look for things about the company that make it clear they care about their employees. You won’t be happy long somewhere they don’t.
Final Thoughts
For your first job out of college, try to find something you can see yourself doing a couple of years down the line. You will end up switching jobs at one point, but don’t let it be in the first 6 months. Growing with an organization can add to valuable life experiences and opportunities you would never have otherwise.
About the Author
BCjobs.ca is Western Canada’s largest job board, with the majority of the jobs coming from Vancouver. For nearly 20 years, BC Jobs has connected job candidates with companies looking to add talent to their teams. If your team is looking to recruit, BCJobs.ca is the right tool for you. Our job board has grown through virtual career fairs, branding, and partnerships. Contact us at community@bcjobs.ca today.
