When you’re looking for a new position, it can be hard to tell if a job is a great fit until you actually begin working in it. That can cause issues, especially since accepting the wrong opportunity can stall your career.
Luckily, it is possible to ascertain whether a job is genuinely right for you—including before you actually accept an offer, let alone start working in the role. If you want to make sure that an opportunity is genuinely an excellent match well ahead of an offer rolling in, here are some tips that can help.
Job Duties
One of the first factors you should examine is the duties associated with the job. A position’s responsibilities outline how you’ll be spending your time, making it a crucial decision-making point.
While you can get a basic idea of what a position entails from the job description, it’s best to dig deeper. For example, ask the hiring manager to describe a typical day in the role during your interview. You can also request insights into the job’s biggest task-related challenges. You might also want to request an estimate of how much of your time would be spent on certain tasks, including both those you love and those you don’t find enjoyable.
Then, compare what you learn to your preferred skills and duties. Consider if that’s how you’d like to spend your time or if another position might be a better fit. That way, you won’t end up in a job that doesn’t actually make you happy.
Salary
While salary isn’t everything, it will always be a factor in job satisfaction. You need to feel that the compensation is fair for the effort involved. Additionally, it needs to be high enough to cover all of your needs without any undue strain.
When it comes to fairness, researching salary averages for the job in your local area is a great way to start. Additionally, consider how your costs may change if you accept the offer, including expenses related to shifts in your commute time, dress code requirements, or anything else that has a financial impact.
Management Style
Who you work for is just as crucial to job satisfaction as your duties and salary. If the position’s manager has a style that doesn’t meet your needs or align with your preferences, you may find yourself frustrated with the role incredibly quickly.
Usually, you can begin your research by asking the manager about their approach to feedback and oversight. Also, asking whether you’ll be mainly working independently if there is any autonomy, or about task ownership can help. If you have the opportunity, ask team members about the manager’s style for more direct insights.
Advancement
If your goal is to keep moving up, then you need to make sure a position has room for advancement. Usually, this includes a combination of professional development opportunities as well as a culture that focuses on internal promotions, allowing you to keep your career on target if you remain with the organization long-term.
Requesting insights about any training programs can be a starting point. You may also be able to learn about the company’s culture in this regard by asking why the position you’re applying for is vacant. If the last employee in the role was promoted, creating this vacancy, that’s a positive sign.
Ultimately, considering all of the points above is critical if you want to make a wise decision about a job offer. That way, you can make sure that the new opportunity actually boosts your career and will serve you well long-term.
If you’d like to find out more, the team at GSG Talent Solutions can help. Contact us today.