If there’s one thing that experience tells us, it’s research every company you apply to. I don’t need I tell you how many titles the same job can have, and how every company has its own ideas on what the title’s responsibilities might be. Are you an administrator? Business support? Or a personal assistant? And what do these slight differences mean? It may be nothing but it could be everything. Don’t let your ego and a salary band land you a in job you’ll hate.
Secondly you’re not just applying to fulfil the selection of bullet pointed responsibilities and salary might be important, but have you checked the hours? And how much commuting you might be expected to do, the words “infrequent or occasional travel will be required to other sites,” sounds delightfully vague doesn’t it? That extra 50p an hour could fast get sucked up as petrol money if fuel costs aren’t reimbursed.
Next there’s knowing more about the company, you might have held the same title for the last 12 years in different companies, but looking beyond the title of your prospective role, what does this potential new employer do? Does their business model seem compatible with you? And do you agree with their ethics?
When you’re looking for a new position, my best advice would be to write a list of your expectations and requirements, and decide how many points a job has to earn for to consider it. Remember it’s not just a job, it’s over 25% of your week, it’s the place that lets you make your mark on the world. We have to enjoy our work to enjoy our life.
Next, take to the internet, to news articles and social media, what do people say about this company? Are the staff happy on company review sites like glass door and others, does their LinkedIn show longevity or a high turnover, and worst of all, are they in financial difficulties or facing a take over? It would be heartbreaking to move to a new job only to be made redundant later that week.
Avoid chasing the dream, look for reality. A great example of being sold the dream, only to face months of hardship that may or may not be worth it, is Channel Four’s recent Eden programme. Not sure what I’m talking about, well cast your minds back to last summer, when, in the spirit of Castaway, Channel Four sent 23 people to be isolated from the world for a year in the Scottish Highlands, and be documented as they try to become self sufficient and live off the land. After only 4 episodes, this show stopped running and the reality starlets slipped from our minds.
Now this weekend, the 10 remaining contestants returned to reality, to find that this year of their life they gave up, a year they traded in the hope of following Ben Fogle into celebrity status, has been in a total vacuum. As they return to a world of Brexit, Donald Trump and awkwardly shaped Toblerones, they realise they have given everything, and no one knows it happened.
This is exactly why you need to really know what you’re getting into, ensure that you have the best possible information regarding your potential new employer, also by asking more involved questions about a business and the role on offer, those doing the hiring are more likely to be impressed by you.
However after you take all this into account, you know the company is right for you, the job is right, both monetarily and as a job itself, remember money is important, but fulfilment is far more important in the long run.