What to look for in a new role?

When evaluating if a new job is a good fit for you, it's important to look beyond the income. While compensation is important, it does not necessarily equate to satisfaction. Consider the following eight points as you analyze the advantages and disadvantages of that new job.

1. ADVANTAGES

Remember that your base income is just a portion of your total compensation package. Before signing the contract, things to think about and discuss include health insurance, 401(k) matching contributions, paid time off, equity, and bonus payments. It's also important to inquire about the benefits offered by your prospective employer: Are you eligible for wellness programs (which may include discounts on gym memberships), pre-tax travel, or reimbursement for relocation costs?

2. HOURS

Before committing to a career move, establish expectations for normal working hours with your prospective employer; apart from determining if your start time is 9:00 or 10:00 a.m., attempt to gauge the amount of after-hours work deemed regular. Not every office job has a set workday from 9 to 5.

And if you're contemplating a job that requires you to work different hours than you're used to (such as weekends, evenings, or an early morning shift), write a note of how this change will affect your life—you may discover that you're not as much of a morning person as you thought.

3. CULTURE OF THE OFFICE

Acquainting yourself with your new position's hours may also provide insight into one of the most elusive decision-making factors: the company's office culture. Are your new coworkers content? Do they love their job for the firm — and with one another — and do they feel appreciated for it? While intangibles such as "office culture" and "vibe" might be difficult to ascertain before your start date, responses to inquiries concerning flexible hours, team-building activities, and frequent evaluations (opportunity to provide as well as receive feedback) can serve as a useful litmus test.

4. THE COLLEAGUE

Nothing has a greater impact on office culture than your coworkers, so meeting as many as possible during the interview process is a smart idea. While the recruiting manager can speak to the team's skill and commitment, your peers—if you get the opportunity to speak with them—can throw light on group dynamics and management and offer their reasons for selecting the organization.

Consider all encounters, including email answers (are they prompt and courteous? ), while deciding if they are individuals with whom you'd want to collaborate.

Additionally, it is critical to examine employees at the executive level. Conduct some research to learn about the individuals who will serve as your managers. Do you believe any of them can be mentors? Do they have a history of promoting more inexperienced talent? Additionally, look beyond the immediate hierarchy—would you be satisfied with new leadership if there were a management shakeup?

5. ENTHUSIASM

One strong predictor of your potential team's contentment is their level of commitment to the task they accomplish. Having a shared vision and values might help to invigorate the work environment. Whether or not you are a good fit for a role may be determined by whether or not the company's mission excites you in the same manner that it excites your future teammates (ideally).

6. OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH

Ensure that you inquire about promotion chances inside the organization throughout the interview process. In addition to giving you hope for the future, it communicates to the hiring manager that you are committed to a long-term commitment of time and talent to the company. Additionally, it's worthwhile to peruse the social media profiles of possible employers' workers; check for information such as how long they've been in the same role.

Additionally, although the typical path to advancement is via promotions to more senior positions inside your department, it's prudent to inquire about horizontal prospects. As your talents and interests develop, you may choose to consider a lateral move within the organization.

7. OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATION

Ideally, you'd want to work for a firm that fosters your professional growth, which may need extra schooling. Inquire about the company's provision of stipends for continuing education or professional degrees and if workers are encouraged to use these resources.

8. HISTORY AND STABILITY OF THE COMPANY

While joining a startup might be exhilarating, it also carries significant risk—consider if now is the right moment for you to do so. Before signing anything official with them, preliminary research about your potential job is essential. Do they have a history of layoffs and budget cuts? Are they generating headlines for good reasons (e.g., hitting new audience milestones or growing the company) or for reasons that raise red signals (e.g., legal challenges, financial difficulties)?

Conclusion

A role transition—whether it's a promotion, a transfer to a new company, or a new challenge within your current position—can significantly boost your career and an opportunity to develop and flourish. As you enter, you're familiar with the drill: Apply your skills and abilities to the role, ensure that you are accepted by the hierarchy (including your direct reports), and secure a few big victories in the first few months to show your capabilities.