How do you know if a business or workplace is right for you? Whether it’s your first time dressing up and printing resumes for the job fair, or you’re a seasoned veteran when it comes to building LinkedIn relationships, the question of which employer to choose is a question that vexes everyone, especially once those coveted offers get the letters rolling.
Pay
It is important to consider the salary of a position, of course. When considering an internship, you will likely be paid by the hour, whereas the offer letter for a full-time position will likely list your salary in terms of annual gross income (before taxes).
Obviously, you want to maximize your salary, so consider the salary and make sure it’s an amount you’re comfortable with.
But money flowing into your bank account every week, every two weeks, or every time your paycheck comes in, isn’t the only compensation you should be looking for in a business.
Advantages
You should ask your recruiter or interviewer about their benefits. The days of being paid in cash and supported by a pension in retirement are long gone for the vast majority of industries. Companies are now offering complex compensation packages that can offer perks, perks, and more.
These benefits can include those required by law, those not required but expected in a job market like this, and those that are just nice to have.
The benefits required by law are workers’ compensation insurance (which pays you if you become ill or injured because of your work), social security and health insurance contributions, salary above at least the federal minimum wage and unemployment insurance.
In some states, employers may also be required to pay for disability insurance.
If your employer has more than 50 employees, you are also entitled to a health insurance plan with your employer (according to the standards set by the Affordable Care Act) as well as family and medical leave.
Many health care plans exclude vision and dental care, which is why these are often considered separate policies.
Dental and vision care are generally considered optional premiums and are add-ons to standard plans. These will help pay for your eye exams, new glasses or contact lenses, dental checkups, braces, extractions and more.
The world of benefits is vast, so do your research on plans and coverage before accepting your offer.
Location
When you envision your future, do you see yourself in a city or a suburb? Do you want a large office or a small one? Do you want flexible remote work options in your job?
These are all essential questions to ask yourself when deciding which companies to apply to.
Even once you have an offer in hand, you may be able to negotiate another office if your employer has more than one.
Despite the apparent setback from the COVID-19 pandemic, workers across the country are enjoying their newfound freedom to work from home. Remote work policies are widely popular in many areas, and companies have been forced to stick with them for the foreseeable future.
According to McKinsey, a global marketing consulting firm currently hiring in Atlanta, “Thirty-five percent of respondents say they can work from home full-time. Another 23% can work from home one to four days a week. Only 13% of employed respondents say they could work remotely at least some of the time, but choose not to. »
Corporate culture and benefits
According to Great Place To Work, “Corporate culture is basically how things get done in the workplace.”
Company culture is a combination of the serious and non-serious parts of a company.
This includes benefits, work-life balance, dress code and values.
When you have the opportunity to speak to a recruiter or interviewer, don’t hesitate to ask questions about these important topics, especially if you’re looking for a full-time job.
The last thing you want for your future with a company is an environment in which you are not comfortable.
The right company for you is the one that best matches your values.
A supportive work atmosphere has been shown to make employees more productive.
A culture where employees feel safe, comfortable and valued is in itself valuable, as it creates workers who socialize, empathize, collaborate and encourage one another.
All of these lead to a better bottom line for the business, which is a win-win situation for both employer and employee.
One way to make sure the company you’re considering is the right one for you is to research the mission statement on the website.
A mission statement contains the values that a company strives to embody – if that’s the one you support, you’re well on your way to finding a company that’s right for you.
The final and most fun part of working in a company is the benefits. These are non-essential, usually company-specific benefits of working there.
For example, you can get an employee discount for shopping at the company store or you can get travel discounts.
To learn more about benefits, ask a current employee what types of benefits they receive.