Posts published on August 7, 2018
What To Look For In Your First Job After College
BY BRETT CLAWSON
Searching for your first job can be an exciting experience, but it can also leave you feeling frustrated, confused, and mentally exhausted. However, knowing what to look for in a job before you even begin searching can help reduce or even eliminate these negative feelings. If you are like many other people today, salary will be a primary factor to consider. But money should not be the only consideration: There are several other elements you will want to consider, and some of them are described below.
Company History
One important element to consider when looking for your first job is the company’s history. If you are interested in a particular company, conduct a bit of research before applying to any available positions. Find out how long the business has been operating. Is it a fairly new company or has it been around for a long time? Is it known for a high turnover rate? Has it expanded into any new markets or been forced to shut down one or more of its outlets?
Employee Benefit Package
Another element you may want to consider before securing a first job is the type of benefits offered by the company. Think about the types of benefits you would like to see in a benefit package and find out whether or not the business provides any of them. Some of the best employee benefits include such things as health insurance, sick leave, paid vacations, retirement plans, parental leave, bonuses, and reimbursement for relocation (if necessary).
Relevancy To Your Career Goals
When searching for a first job, you may be tempted to grab the first offer you come across. However, if you are not completely happy with that first offer, you may very well find yourself looking for another job. To avoid this type of situation, examine the job opening and try to imagine yourself actually doing the work that it entails. Do you imagine yourself as being happy and fulfilled? Is the job within your field of interest? If it is not, can it help you obtain experience for a job that is in your field of interest?
Potential For Growth
As a first-time job applicant, you may need to take an entry-level position within a company of interest. But if you are interested in future advancement, you will want to find out whether the company offers a promotional program. Do they offer management training programs and promote within? Or conversely, do they hire their supervisors and managers outside of the company? If they do promote within, are promotions based on professional experience, seniority, or progress in a training program?
Satisfaction Of Current Employees
Finally, if you have looked over a job position carefully and have decided to apply, take some time to research how current employees feel about the company. You can accomplish this by checking out employee reviews of the company, but keep in mind that employees with negative feelings will likely be apprehensive about posting their feelings online. Because of this, you may want to visit the business before you apply for a job and strike up a casual conversation with various staff members as well.
Although looking for your first job can be overwhelming, knowing what to look for in a first job can help you overcome any negative feelings. There are many elements to consider when searching for a first job, and the five elements described above are among the most important.
Author:
Brett Clawson is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in Business Management. He enjoys researching emerging business trends and sharing their impact on business and the industry as a whole. He believes that the best way to influence others and share his knowledge with the world is through his writing.
