When it comes to finding the right job to meet your needs, some factors are more important than others. Regardless of how desperate or miserable you are in your current role, taking a job that doesn’t meet your needs could steer you down the wrong path and put you in a tough position when it comes to finding a job that you really love. Here are eight questions to ask yourself when you apply for a job:
- Is the job the right direction for your career/a job that will take you down the right path?
Regardless of the current job title, finding a job that will put you on the career path of your dreams will help you immensely. This sets you up for future dream jobs down the line and helps create a more focused resume.
If you have the opportunity to take a new job, but it’s not the direction you want to take your career, it’s not worth the risk. Think about this: if you drive 20 miles south when you want to go north, you’re going to have to drive an extra 20 miles back in the direction you want to go. Essentially, once you take your career in an opposite direction, it is that much harder to get back on track.
Do a LinkedIn search for people that currently hold your dream job, and if you’re not at that level yet, look at their previous job history to see their career path. It’s not smart to compare yourself to others, but looking at someone else’s career path can give you a better idea of what roles to explore.
- Does the job fit your expertise/skills or does it just fit in with your previous job titles?
This will open you up to new opportunities and give you a better perspective about what job is right for you based on your skills. You never know what job opportunities are out there until you do a broader search based on the skills you have instead of searching for a specific job title you think is right for you.
A great resume is catered to the jobs that you’re applying for. Applying for a job based on your skills will help you integrate the correct wording and phrasing to ensure that you align with the requirements of the job.
People tend to box themselves in with specific job titles. When you’re trying to figure out what job is right for you, it’s very easy to get stuck on the job title, so instead of searching based on job titles, search based on your skills. Specifically, type your best or most enjoyable skill into the search bar when you’re looking for jobs instead of searching for a specific job title.
- Does the job challenge you and push you out of your comfort zone?
Calvin Coolidge once said, “All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work.”
Discomfort often prompts change, and if you don’t feel challenged in your role, this could cause you to become stagnant in your career. The more you push yourself, the farther you will go towards the path of your dreams.
Make a list of accomplishments, and goals. This will help you track your progress and see where you want to go next, while also acting as a physical reminder to challenge yourself and move forward in your career. Additionally, if you have your current responsibilities written down, it will be easier to compare them against roles you’re applying to so you can see if the career move would be lateral or vertical.
- Does the job open doors for you as you move forward? (either due to responsibilities, company, industry, etc.)
This is where the “room for growth” question comes in. Are you exploring opportunities only to find that you have to start at the ground and work your way up? If so, it’s important to take note of factors that will help you in the long run. For example, working for a recognizable company can give your resume credibility.
If you want to take your career in a specific direction, look for roles that point you in the direction of your goals. Focus on positions where there is room for growth, so that even if you have to step down a level in authority, you can take solace in the fact that the end justifies the means.
Look for companies who are widely recognized in your field, or for jobs that have responsibilities that showcase your skill, expertise, and work ethic. The more notable information you can include on your resume, the better!
- Does the job broaden your experience/make you more diverse as a candidate?
Having an expertise in various areas of one field will make you a more well-rounded candidate, and will show potential employers that you are able to take a variety of different perspectives into account.
Showing employers that you can look at things objectively from various perspectives will highlight how you can be beneficial to the company. One of the best examples of this is Nordstrom. All managers at Nordstrom start on the sales floor, so they understand the perspective of a salesperson and how deeply integrated customer service is into the company culture.
Look for roles within your field that might give you a different viewpoint. If you’re in internal marketing, perhaps look for a role that handles external marketing to give you a more client focused perspective. If you are in logistics, perhaps you want to look into something more on the purchasing or supply chain side to learn more about that sector of operations.
- Will you have a manager/team that wants to see you succeed?
Having a manager that wants to see you grow and succeed will enable you to take on personal and professional development without the fear of sending red flags that you’re looking for a new job or role.
Employees who are afraid of their manager are often not interested in company success, or the quality of the product/service. Instead, they’re concerned with keeping their jobs and not upsetting authority figures. Finding a manager who wants to see you succeed will create a deeper connection to the company, and will empower you to do your best work and be the best version of yourself. Ultimately this will benefit you in all aspects of your career.
Look for roles that promote growth and professional development, and do research on your potential manager and their style. Pay attention to any social cues and inquire about professional growth during the interview process. Make it clear from the beginning that you’re interested in growing with the company and/or job.
- Do you feel like you fit in with the company culture/team?
An industry-wide study of over 2,500 people found that 55% of workers would take less pay to have more fun at work. Finding a job where you feel like you fit in with the culture and the team will make your days much more enjoyable.
Considering that you spend 40+ hours a week at the office, it’s important that you feel comfortable and like you fit in. Feeling like an outsider can make you dread going to work, which can bleed over into other aspects of your life. Ensuring that you’re in a motivating environment will help improve your mood and your productivity.
See what others are saying about company culture to get a better idea of what the work environment is like. Also make sure and pay attention to how you feel during an interview. The interview is as much for you as it is for the company. If you’re getting bad vibes or feeling uncomfortable, it probably isn’t the right kind of environment for you.
- Will you get good benefits based on your needs?
Securing a role with benefits that meet your unique needs is the key. This will be different for everyone, and different benefits may make a job more enticing based on your unique situation.
48% of men and 60% of women rate greater work-life balance and better personal well-being as a “very important” attribute in a new job. Depending on your situation, benefits could make a huge difference in your life. If you’re someone with a pre-existing medical condition, getting medical coverage from work could largely impact your health and well-being. Additionally, having a more flexible schedule might be worth it to you based on your location or your household.
Make a list of what benefits would have a big impact (either positive or negative) on your life, and research companies with benefits that align form your needs. You can always negotiate, but looking for a company or position that advertises the benefits that you’re interested in will make it easier on you.
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Applying for jobs can be tough, and it can be easy to fall into the trap of applying to every job under the sun, but it’s much smarter to thoughtfully apply to jobs that you really want and focus your job search on jobs that will help further develop your career. If you consider these eight questions to ask yourself when you apply for a job, you’ll ensure that you’re making good choices based on your career goals.