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As you head into your upcoming job search, do you know what to look for in an employer? While you may be focused on impressing the hiring committee and landing the job, it’s also vital to ensure your potential employer meets your requirements. Are they a good match for your lifestyle, professional goals, and personal values?
If you’re a new grad, your first job out of school might not be perfect – but it should offer a foundation for future career growth and development. That’s why it’s important to do your own research, ask questions, and take time to deliberate before committing to a new job. You should give this decision the same careful consideration you’d dedicate to finding an apartment or choosing the right college.
In this blog, we’ll offer tips for finding the best possible employer – and explain how a college diploma can offer you more control in your job search.
1. Work-Life Balance
2. Competitive Compensation
3. Strong Leadership
- Respects your time: The interview scheduling goes smoothly, the interviewer is punctual, and the time requirements of the interview are within reason.
- Engaged in conversation: Your interviewer asks follow-up questions to dig deeper into your responses and shares some information about themself.
- Kind to staff: Your interviewer speaks about former employees positively. If you are being interviewed in-person, they have friendly interactions with the other employees they encounter.
- Disorganized: The interview is rescheduled last minute, or the interviewer shows up unprepared.
- Distracted: The interviewer is checking emails while you talk – or simply reading questions off a list without a follow up.
- Lack of clarity: The interviewer has trouble explaining the role, perhaps using a lot of buzzwords.
4. Positive Workplace Culture
- How would you describe your organizational culture?
- What are the core values of your organization?
- How do you promote equity and inclusivity in the workplace?
- How are employees shown appreciation?
- How do you solicit feedback from employees?
5. Opportunities for Advancement
- Promotions: If you are interested in advancing to more senior roles over time, look for employers with a track record of promoting their staff, rather than hiring from outside the organization.
- Training and education: Employers may support your professional development by arranging internal workshops, covering the cost of conferences, or even paying tuition for certifications and diploma training.
- Mentorship: A mentor is a leader with more senior experience, who is invested in your development and future. They may take additional time to provide you with feedback and advice and may even assist you with making network connections.
Why Changing Jobs Is Good
What to Negotiate in a Job Offer
- Do the prep work. Do the research to back up your requests and be prepared to explain your reasoning.
- Ask for the higher end of your salary range. If you ask for slightly more than you expect, you may end up with an offer closer to your desired salary. (Just don’t go overboard).
- Make it clear you want the job. A negotiation shouldn’t be a list of demands, “or else.” If you indicate you have some flexibility, your new employer may be more likely to do the same.