Ready to Find a New Job in 2020? Here’s What You Should Look for Besides Salary

When evaluating new job opportunities, salary matters. You need to keep a roof over your head, food on the table and money in the bank. However, if you stay laser-focused on the size of your paycheck, you could settle for a job that you don’t actually like. You could potentially miss out on exciting opportunities that might not have paid as much but provided other benefits.

Here’s what you should look for besides salary if you’re looking for a new job in the New Year:

Room to Grow

If career advancement is important to you, weigh a potential employer’s commitment to your success. Do they have a clear path for career growth? Do they offer training and upskilling? Will they sponsor you to attend classes or earn certifications? While you’ll always be responsible for the lion’s share of your career development, if you want to advance your career, look for a company that will support your goals.

Work-Life Balance

Often, a sizeable paycheck means more responsibilities and more time spent at work. How happy will you be if your company expects you to be in the office from early in the morning to late in the evening every day? If you value your personal life, make sure to ask questions about flexibility. Can you work shifts that fit with your personal life? How much PTO does the company offer? Will it be a problem if you want to go to your child’s extracurricular activities? If work-life balance is important to you, you’ll want to weigh it heavily in your decision-making process.

Corporate Culture

Cultural misalignment is one of the leading causes of employee dissatisfaction. Your productivity and results will suffer if you don’t like where you work.  When evaluating potential new jobs this year, make sure to zero in on company culture. What are the corporate values? Does the company invest in its employees’ success, give back to the community or provide a safe, healthy and productive workspace? Know what you’re looking for in a company culture and don’t settle for less than an environment in which you will thrive.

Benefits Package

A great benefits package can be worth thousands of dollars a year. Not all health insurance plans are created equally, so get information up front so you know if it will fit your needs and the needs of your household. Consider the value of vision, dental, life and disability insurance, paid time off, a retirement savings plan, profit sharing, tuition reimbursement, etc.   If the salary is slightly less than your goal but the benefits are high-value, it’s often worth the trade-off.

Looking for a New Job in the New Year?

If you are looking for great new job opportunities in the coming year, The Reserves Network can help. Browse our current job openings or contact us to learn more today.