Seven things to ask about in a job interview (besides the obvious)

And when we say the "obvious", we mean salary.

Salary may have been the sticking point in the past, but our attitudes to work are changing. Employees want more. Different kinds of compensation and workplace perks are cropping up in conversation.?

And it's not something that employers can afford to ignore. In the ‘War for Talent’, a winning employee benefits package might be just the thing that sways an applicant.

But that's another story. This one is for the job hunters.??

We've made a list of topics to touch on in an interview besides salary. Things to consider that may benefit you, not just financially, but wellbeing-wise too.?

Broaching these subjects will provide an insight into a company’s culture. And give you an idea of the kind of benefits you may want to negotiate early on if they aren't already on the table.?

1) Remote working

The main advantage that homeworkers reported, in response to Office of National Statistics surveys last year, was an improvement to work-life balance .?

Less time (and money) spent commuting means more time for ourselves and our loved ones. Or at least the opportunity to tick off a few household chores.

That's not to say that remote working doesn't have its challenges.

Our team is totally remote and has been for a while.?We put appropriate measures in place to make sure we’re all happy at home and working well as a team. And we regularly assess how it’s going or what more we could be doing.

If you think that remote working is right for you, then ask the interviewer what's possible. They may offer a mix of office-based and remote working, a.k.a. hybrid working.?

The same ONS surveys revealed that 85% of adults currently homeworking want to adopt a hybrid approach moving forward. With that in mind, hybrid working might just be the way to go.

2) Flexible working

Flexible working isn't just the chance to work from home.

Every organisation has a different definition of what flexible working is. In the interview, ask about flexible working hours, time in lieu, dedicated training days, shift swaps or ways to accrue or buy more holiday.?

Flexible working shouldn’t just be for parents with child-care considerations but for everyone. And according to LinkedIn’s latest Global Talent Trends report, Gen Z workers value flexibility more than any other generation. So employers, if you’re reading this, take note.

3) Employee share scheme

Count on your hand how many people you know have asked about equity in an interview. The chances are it's not many. So, why should you??

Well, if you have a piece of the pie, you'll be more invested in the business, in every sense of the word. Having shares in addition to salary can be financially rewarding and, (depending on the scheme) there are tax advantages too.

Employee share schemes are proven to boost productivity, performance, engagement and overall happiness . So that's a win for the company too. Asking an employer about equity also shows that you're interested in the future of the business and in it for the long haul.

4) Training & development

Find out if the company offers training and development programmes. No one wants to feel stagnant at work. We're curious creatures.

In fact, a study by LinkedIn revealed that a staggering 94% of employees revealed that they would probably stay at a company longer if the company invested in their career development.

Training and development incentives often lead to career progression, but training exercises don't have to be strictly work-related.

Your prospective employer may offer opportunities for individuals to upskill in different areas, benefiting the wider business and giving employees the confidence to apply said skills outside of work.

5) Health and wellbeing

Wellbeing is a hot topic set to trend for the foreseeable future, and for good reason. In the wake of the pandemic, online searches for “wellbeing at work” and related terms soared . It’s more important than ever for organisations to show their staff that they care.?

Ask what steps the company takes to maintain the positive mental health and wellbeing of their teams. Don’t be fooled by the odd fitness class either; wellbeing at work is so much more than that. Ask about emotional and psychological wellbeing strategies like stress management.

6) Company values

Who are they? What do they stand for? It’s up to you to find out. Check out reviews and testimonials to see what clients say about them. Read beyond the job description to be sure that your beliefs and interests align. Hopefully, it’s a match made in heaven.

Company culture comes under this category. Everyone has different ideas of what great company culture looks like, so we ask founders in our #FounderStories series.

Themes like autonomy, communication, honesty and transparency are common. And ensuring that everyone feels valued and supported.

Ask the employer to describe the company culture in one or two sentences. You can ask about fun stuff like team-building exercises, team socials and other activities. But throw in a few curveballs too, like how they communicate effectively or find solutions together.

7) Social good

We're becoming increasingly aware of our impact on the planet and the economies around us. And we're paying close attention to the companies that are doing their bit.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a commitment to carry out business ethically.?CSR is relevant to some organisations more than others.

Nevertheless, it’s worth asking what the business does for the good of others. Whether that be eco-friendly practices or charity fundraisers and community volunteer programmes.?

When we do good, we feel good. And it’s a brilliant way to align a team behind a common goal.?

So, job hunters: be sure to keep these seven things in mind when applying for a role or attending an interview.?Salary matters, of course, but flexible working, equity, company culture and wellbeing initiatives can make a world of difference to your overall experience.

The original article first appeared on the?Vestd blog .