Today’s job market is hot – opportunity abounds. The U.S. is experiencing one of the lowest unemployment rates of the century and there is a record need for workers. Therefore, many job seekers are in the position to be choosy when it comes to taking on new roles.
People in today’s workforce know what they want out of life. Smart job seekers aren’t just applying for any job – they want a job that offers competitive benefits, purpose and work-life balance.
Here are five tips for helping job seekers sort through opportunities to find a role that meets their personal and professional needs.
1. Flexibility: For those looking for flexibility or the ability to work remotely, be sure to ask questions about what “eligible for remote” really means to an employer. It is important for remote workers to think about what type of flexibility is right for them. While many individuals think they would like to work from home permanently, some may discover over time that in-person collaboration, informal interactions, creative collisions and simple relationship building don’t come as easily in a virtual environment. Today, many job seekers prefer a hybrid schedule and ability to go into the office when they need to.
2. Total compensation: Many people make the mistake of only focusing on salary when considering a new role. Don’t be afraid to inquire about benefits like health insurance, wellness resources, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, paid parking and additional developmental investments that allow employees to upskill and re-skill for future opportunities. These are critical components of a compensation package that job seekers should ask about when exploring a new role.
3. Fit: While flexibility and total compensation are important, even more critical to job satisfaction is whether the opportunity is a good fit based on a job seeker’s values and career trajectory. When interviewing for the job, ask questions in order to understand the culture of the organization and the typical tasks and responsibilities of the role. Also, don’t be afraid to interview the existing team to get a sense for the team’s chemistry.
4. Purpose: Just as important as it is to consider personal fit, aligning one’s personal values and sense of mission to that of a future potential employer can be just as critical for optimizing job satisfaction. Do the organization’s values match your values? Will its stated mission and vision align with who you are as a person and what you’d like to accomplish personally and professionally? Be cautious about accepting an attractive job offer from a company or organization that doesn’t align with your sense of purpose. Consider specifically asking about the organization’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging. These qualities are increasingly important for both job seekers and employers.
5. Stability and Innovation: Finally, considering a potential employer’s long-term stability prospects can also be a useful exercise to make a good choice. While some may desire to work for an innovative start-up, stability in these types of organizations could be unpredictable. What they may not realize is that they can find innovative companies that are strong and stable. Researching a potential employer’s record on best companies to work for lists, financial rankings and capital strength ratings can be a great barometer for employers that are innovative and have long-term stability.
Taking the time upfront in the job search to explore these five areas may be useful in helping job seekers find roles that provide personal and professional growth opportunities. After all, we spend one-third of our lives working. Job seekers owe it to themselves to choose employers that offer more than just a paycheck.
Explore career opportunities with insurance and financial services provider, Nationwide. Nationwide currently has a wide variety of open roles, many of which are eligible for remote and hybrid work, provide competitive salaries, a benefit package ranging from health insurance to tuition reimbursement, and additional career-building opportunities. From early career technology roles, to underwriting, claims, customer service, sales and marketing, the opportunities are abundant at Nationwide.