Don’t let a lay off impact your next job fit

It is hard these days to log onto LinkedIn and not see another batch of talented focus adding the #opentowork profile image. So first know this, you are talented. The circumstance you find yourself in is not a reflection of your abilities and contributions. But nevertheless, you can still be hurt and frustrated. As for the part of you that is pushing you forward, you may be faced with all sorts of questions. One of which could be: I loved my former company, how do a find another job fit that works??

Let SkillGigs give you some tips to help you find out if your new job will be right for you. Much like our post-layoff interview tips newsletter from a few months ago, we’re here to help. Ultimately, we want you to love where you land albeit a contract gig or a permanent one. We know that all positions will have their benefits and drawbacks so consider the following seven important tips when on the hunt:?

Check your instincts?

Before you ever consider replying to a job offer [in the SkillGigs’ marketplace, we call this a bid], you need to analyze your initial feelings. After receiving the job offer, were you beyond ecstatic? Or did your mind immediately jump to other opportunities? Although you shouldn’t base your entire decision off of your initial reaction, it can be an important way to gauge how you will like a company. You know — listen to your gut.??

Even if you only had fleeting doubts about seeing yourself at the company in question, it’s extremely important to analyze those feelings. Often, your intuition could lead you to exactly the right place.?

Keep track of your priorities?

When a company is clearly displaying all the benefits they offer, it may be difficult to spot what is truly important to you in the long run. For example, a fantastic break room may sound great at the beginning, but does it really make up for the lackluster team spirit at that company? When you are bombarded with the highlights of multiple job offers, it’s important to keep your eyes on the prize. You may benefit more from a higher salary, or you may benefit more from a slightly lower salary with an outstanding management team. In the end, it’s up to you to analyze your current needs and wants in order to figure out which package deal is the best for you. Don’t lose sight of what’s truly important to your career in the long run!?

Think about your future?

In your job-hunting experience, you probably have created some career goals that are important for your future development. After receiving job offers, it’s quite important to go back and reevaluate the positions in accordance to your future career goals. Carefully examine each factor you created and decide if the job will have the potential to live up to your future standards.?

While most people consider salary levels to be an important indicator of career development, it is important to look past the numbers at the true potential of the company. For long-term content with your job, you need to ensure that the company is one that you will grow and develop with.?

Come up with crucial questions for yourself?

Sometimes, it’s difficult to come up with good incentives unless you come up with some key aspects to investigate. In terms of figuring out if a company or job is right for you, there are several crucial questions you need to ask yourself. Are the responsibilities something you’d love to have as a full-time career? What are the opportunity costs associated with taking this offer over others? Can you see yourself cooperating with the team in question? All of these are super important things to consider before you decide. You need to ensure that you are comfortable with the everyday life of a position before signing the contract.?

Thoroughly examine the salary and benefits package?

Compensation is an important aspect of any job but remember to look at the entire offer, not just the salary. It’s important to look into the salary further than the base salary alone, because this number will often fail to provide the whole compensation picture. It may be that the salary is $X lower than you had hoped for, but the full package being offered counterbalances it. You need to ask yourself, “What does the total package contribute to your personal and financial needs? Sometimes, a job that at first glance looks like it’s paying less can actually provide more financial security than a job with a higher salary.” Consider account benefits such as subsidized childcare, bonus opportunities, and health care options.?

Be prepared for the people you’ll be working with on a daily basis?

Although this can be easier said than done, it’s vital to know your team beforehand, because they’re the people you’ll be spending a lot of time with. If you’re able to obtain information about your future team, you’ll be able to make a more well-informed decision. Gardner explains that “It’s important to ask yourself whether you will be working with the kind of people who will engage, excite, and challenge you—without driving you crazy.” She continues, saying that your ability to get to know the people in advance will depend on several factors: whether you’re in the same city as the employer, what your position will be, and the size of the group. But putting in the effort is worth it; “they will have a huge impact on both your job satisfaction and your success.”?

Determine whether the company is the right fit for you?

If you’ve made it to this point, the last thing to figure out is how well the company suits your lifestyle, not just in location or size, but also the company’s culture. Try to “ask everyone you can about company culture–not just their brand, but what it’s really like to work there day to day,” Kiner recommends. This can be determined “through a combination of questions and observations.” Consider focusing your questions on the things you’d want to see in a healthy work environment. This may entail “access to training, how often people get promoted from within, flexibility, recognition, or teams that celebrate together,” she adds. An additional factor to consider is the reason the position is open in the first place. If the answer is because the company is experiencing enough growth to add another job, that’s good. If the person you’re replacing was promoted within the organization, that’s also a good sign. However, if you’re seeing job openings at this company constantly, that might be a “telltale sign that it’s not a great place to work.” Essentially, turnover can be an important indication of what it’s like to work somewhere–a sign you probably shouldn’t ignore.?

If you’re entering back into the job search, make sure to be extremely informed going into it. We want to make sure all individuals feel empowered to make a good decision; especially after turmoil. At SkillGigs we can offer you the flexibility to have all of your needs met. Signup here.?