THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2022, JOBS, AND LABOR

 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2022, JOBS, AND LABOR

This week with Labor Day, I’ve been looking at jobs.  

First from https://mint.intuit.com/blog/early-career/9-factors-to-consider-before-changing-jobs/ 0 Nine factors to consider before changing jobs:

1. Work From Home Flexibility

If you prefer a more flexible schedule because of family commitments, chronic health problems, or any other reasons, work-from-home flexibility should be a high priority.

Karen bias - don’t work from home as a ‘rookie’.  Get to the office, show up, be there, be seen.  Once you are established first work from home at most two days a week and make sure your work is significant and appreciated.  Come to the office for meetings hang out by the coffee pot, or water cooler to meet people, and not be an ‘outsider’.

2. Health Insurance

Hey even if you are very healthy, health premiums can be costly (especially with a family).  So, if you take a job inquire about the health insurance costs.  A job that pays more, but doesn’t include health insurance may actually be financially a problem if you get cancer or a long-term illness!!!.

3. Paid Time Off

Does the new job have vacation time?  Many companies will have a week for a few years and then two weeks.  Do you also get personal time (to get to the doctor or dentist)?  Does it have maternity leave and other leave benefits?

4. Retirement Contributions

Do you have retirement options?  Does the company match your required amounts?  You might be a long way from retirement, but get started now!!

5. Educational Benefits

Will your new company pay for a master's degree in the field that you are working in?  (Most won’t pay for a master's outside your work assignment). I have a friend at my work who is working as an aide, but is going to the local community college for a law enforcement degree - and she has to pay for her education as it is outside of her work commitment.

6. Room For Advancement

Do they promote from within?  Then look above. Are all the executives that would be above you in their 30s and 40s? It might be a long time before you are promoted. (But, on the other hand, getting experience is good and you can potentially move to a different company.0

7.  What is the company culture

Do you fit in?  Is it a stiff shirt and tie or a casual culture?  Do they have fun things that they do as a group? Citibank had a fun Saturday where they rented the whole waterslide park and let the employees and their children (and friends) come and enjoy the waterslide and free food and entertainment!!. Does the company have a softball team? A volleyball team? Do you feel comfortable around the people?

8. Company Stability

Working for a startup company can be rewarding to get in on the ground floor, but many start-ups fail and you may have put in two (or more years) in what turned out to be a dead-end job (other than you got to do interesting things in a startup!!!)

9.  Education and Training

You don’t know their tools - will you get training?  Will they send you to a school or program to get the education and training you need?  Or will they expect you to just pick it up on your own?

*****

And, to round out today’s blog:

What are your personal goals?  To be the CEO of a startup, to be a small fish in a big pond?

Professional Development at Work?  Can you get webinars in speaking, even

Success seminars

Is your position a dead-end or one with upward mobility?  Will you be in the same position in five years?

Work/Life balance - some married people have “sacrificed” their marriage to move up in a company.  Is that an option for you?  Is that a requirement for the company you are looking at?

Are Recruiters looking at you?  

(Aside, one of my success stories was AG who took a job at a local company.  There, the company trained her in SAP.  She started getting recruiting calls “We understand you know SAP.  If you come to our company, you’ll get an automatic 50% bonus over what you are currently getting!!!”)

Do You Like the Work Environment?  As you interview and get a tour, are you sensing you’d like this place or not?

What is the Turnover rate?  Yes, turnover occurs - but it is a reasonable amount or a high amount of people ‘deserting’ a sinking ship?

Job Satisfaction.  Do you think you will be satisfied at your job?

And, a quick checklist!

• Will my current job help me reach my long-term career goals?

• Am I getting enough professional development and constructive feedback?

• Is there potential for me to get a raise or promotion at work?

• Do my current job responsibilities leave me with a comfortable amount of personal time?

• Are my unique talents, qualities, or abilities being recognized at work?

• Do I feel physically and emotionally safe at work?

• Are there many people at work who have been with the company for a long time?

• Do I feel happy with my job functions?

• Am I satisfied with my compensation and benefits?

And, my personal comments. At age 75, my long-term goals are primarily for good health, spreading love, and encouragement. My little part-time job does that just fine. My selfish side would love more money, but the reality is that my wages are fine. (Four months ago I got a small raise - and I really didn't seek it or need it, but it is nice to be wanted!!!)

LOVE WINS

Karen White, September 8, 2022, ©