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#YourCareer : 5 Common Career Change Fears And How To Handle Them. Study Shows 26% Want to Change Careers Entirely. How about Yours?

March 27, 2023/in First Sun Blog, Resume/Cover Letter/by First Sun Team

More than a quarter of Americans might make a career change in 2023, according to Globalization Partners’ 2022 Global Employee Survey. The survey revealed that while 33% of workers are likely to switch jobs within the same sector, 26% want to change careers entirely. In terms of why they want to make a switch, workers ranked better pay (34%), the opportunity to change their work schedule (34%) and professional opportunities that weren’t available when they were younger (34%) as the most common reasons.

Hating your current job might be costing you job offers

But it can be scary to make a career change. In fact, according to the Holmes-Rahe Life Stress Inventory, changing to a different line of work ranks just below the death of a close friend. Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate the anxiety so it doesn’t prevent you from moving forward. Here are some of the most common career change fears and how to handle them.

Fear of failure

One of the most widespread career change fears is the fear of failure. The fear of failure often originates from a fear of experiencing shame or embarrassment. We worry so much about feeling humiliated and disappointing others that we give up on attempting to achieve our dream. The problem with fear of failure is that it can be paralyzing, causing us to do nothing.

Here is an exercise to deal with the fear of failure:

Consider all the worst-case scenarios and write them down on paper. Be specific. Then in a second column, write down what you can do to minimize the likelihood of the worst-case item happening. In a third column, decide what action you would take to get back on track if the worst case did happen. Then in a fourth column, rate how likely the worst-case scenario is on a scale of one (not likely) to 10 (highly likely). This simple exercise will help you put fear into perspective and realize that the worst-case outcome is unlikely or manageable.

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened‘?
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We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

Article continued …

Fear of what others may think

If you’re afraid of making a career change, fear of people’s opinions may hold you back. Perhaps your father encouraged you to pursue a “secure” job in finance, and now you feel you’d let him down by becoming a professional chef. In the end, you’re the one that’s going to live with the choices you make, not others. To deal with this concern, start by cultivating authenticity and developing a strong sense of self.

Ask yourself some important questions:

What do I care about?
What do I really want?
What activities do I enjoy?
What legacy do I want to leave behind?
What would I pursue if I wasn’t so worried about being judged

Then focus on your purpose and intentions. Why are you thinking about changing careers in the first place? Is it because you want to make a difference in the world? Do you want a better quality of life? If you can remember your “why,” you’ll be able to stay focused and less concerned about the opinions of others.

Fear of being too old

Changing your career path may seem scary, especially if you are over 40. But it is not uncommon or impossible. The good news is that the majority of older career changers are successful, based on a study from the American Institute for Economic Research. One way to face the fear is to think about all the advantages that come with someone who has a significant amount of work experience. For example, as you progress in your career, you acquire valuable contacts and diverse hard and soft skills. You also may be more financially stable, which provides additional flexibility when planning a career change.

Fear of wasting experience

A typical career change fear is having to start from the bottom. To deal with this, recognize that you have more transferrable skills than you realize. Also, if you have a strong network, it will be easier to make the right introductions to make a smooth transition. Finally, don’t overlook your soft skills like leadership, communication and problem-solving, which are more in demand than ever. Everything you’ve done up until now has prepared you for what’s coming next.

Fear of uncertainty

There are no guarantees in life. When you make a career change, there is always some risk involved. But you can mitigate that risk in several ways if you:

Embrace uncertainty and look at it as a learning experience
Take small steps instead of giant leaps
Develop new skills outside your comfort zone
Avoid dwelling on things you can’t control
Seek support from a small group of people you trust

Uncertainty is all around us. But by focusing on developing a resilient mindset, you’ll be more likely to face the unknown with confidence.

The most important thing to remember is that it’s okay to be afraid. Just don’t let it interfere with your vision. Mastering fear involves learning how to recognize and change the conversation in your mind. Once you do that, there are no limits to what you can achieve.

Forbes.com Author: Caroline Castrillon Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website.

Forbes.com | March 26, 2023

#JobSearch : The Job Market Is Hot -Now Is The Time To Build Your Career. Note: Or Better Get a New One! GReat REad!

September 24, 2021/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

The job market is hot right now, making this a perfect time to build your career. Employers are struggling to find and hire great talent—and as a result they are offering increasing pay, perks and opportunities. You can take advantage of the tight job market to grow in your job and get on a path to your best professional success.

Opportunities Abound

A new report from ManpowerGroup surveying 45,000 employers across 43 countries found organizations are hiring. And in 15 countries, their hiring plans are the highest-ever—since the survey began in 1962. In addition, a report from Monster found 82% of US employers are planning to hire in 2021.

ManpowerGroup’s report found that globally, the strongest hiring is projected for the US, India and Canada and in North America it will be greatest in the US (up 48%), Canada (up 40%) and Mexico (up 39%). In addition to these top-hiring areas, the following countries also expect increased hiring: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the UK. The countries experiencing the greatest difficulties in finding the right talent are India, Romania, Singapore, Bulgaria, France, Japan, Belgium, Germany, South Africa, Italy, Spain.

The ManpowerGroup report found the industries experiencing the greatest difficulties in hiring are manufacturing as well as finance/insurance/real estate/business services. The Monster report found the greatest job growth will be in the areas of transportation and warehousing, technology, healthcare, professional services and construction. “This recovery is unlike any we have seen before with hiring intent picking up much faster than after the previous economic downturns,” says Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup chairman and CEO.

Career Implication: Companies and countries are looking for great talent. Consider focusing your search on the countries, markets and industries in which there is the greatest demand for talent. Now may be the time to strike out beyond your current country or industry—and grow in new ways and new places.

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Did you know? First Sun Consulting, LLc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, UK, & Mexico!

We here at FSC want to thank each of corporate partners in the opportunity in serving & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment !

Article continued …

Fulfillment

According to data from Monster, 86% of workers say their careers have stalled due to the pandemic. And a survey of 500 Millennial and Gen Z workers by Elements Global Services found 78% of respondents said the pandemic made them question what they want to do for their job and career. In addition, people are looking for new opportunities and Monster job searches prove the point: They were up 18% in June and another 18% in July.

Career Implication: Now is a great time to regroup and re-assess your career goals, your organization, your culture and even your co-workers. You’ll be in good company as you consider what you love to do, what work provides the greatest fulfillment and the people with whom you want to work. According to Ruth Harper ManpowerGroup chief communications and sustainability officer, “Across the world we’re seeing talent shortages at their highest and rising including here in the US. These record-high hiring intentions as we emerge from the pandemic mean it really is a workers’ market right now.”

Work is a fundamental way we find meaning, express our talents and contribute to our communities. No job or career is perfect—there will be things you love about it and things that aren’t ideal, but you’ll experience greater happiness when you can align—as much as possible—what you love to do with what you have to do. And now is the time to reset and reimagine your career growth.

Skill Development

The need for skills on the part of employers is significant. According to the ManpowerGroup study, 69% of employers said they are having trouble filling roles because of a lack of candidate skills. And this was a 15-year high the data. As a result, 20% of employers are reducing their requirements for skills and experience, and 41% of employers are offering training, skill development and mentoring as a way to attract and retain employees. Claire Barnes, chief human capital officer, Monster, offers perspective on skill development, “Being able to upskill and retrain talent that you already have demonstrates career progression. It also demonstrates that if you are a strong performer, you have potential in the organization.”

From the employee point of view, the Monster study found 29% of employees say they are quitting their jobs because they don’t feel they have adequate growth opportunities, and 45% of workers said they would be more likely to stay with their employer if they were offered skills training. Specifically, workers want more development in technological skills like coding, machine learning, word processing (ex. Word, Google Docs), analysis (ex. Excel) and updating of professional credentialling and licensing. For those seeking new work, 54% say they don’t feel they have the skills they need to take them into the future.

Career Implication: Now is the time for you to consider the skills you want to build and the ways you can stretch to a new role, new job or new career. You may be able to enter a new-to-you field and obtain training from your employer. Or you may be able to enter a company leveraging your existing skills and expand within the organization through skill development, learning and mentoring.

Scott Blumsack, senior vice president for research and insights, Monster, offers this perspective, “The return to work poses a great opportunity for job seekers to leverage their skills for career advancement. Tech skills are always in demand across industries, but so are softer skills such as customer service and collaboration.”

Salary Increases

With the tight job market, ManpowerGroup’s study revealed 31% of employers are offering increased wages and 23% are offering incentives such as signing bonuses. This is consistent with what employees want as well. According to the Monster data, 77% of job candidates define “career growth” as salary increases and the Elements study of several hundred career-related Google searches found one of the top searches was “jobs that pay well”. In fact, searches for jobs offering higher pay are up 120% between February 2020 and July 2021.

Career Implication: Your pay could be on the increase. Look for jobs that pay well and don’t be surprised if the pay range for your job or career has increased. In some cases, key skills or credentials are especially scarce, so pay ranges for those roles have increased substantially. Do your homework so you know what you’re worth.

Popular wisdom suggests you shouldn’t change companies for less than a 20%-30% increase. In addition, consider today’s pay, but also tomorrow’s income growth. When you’re assessing a new job, ask employers about signing bonuses, pay progression and what you can expect in terms of regular pay increases.

A caveat: Don’t consider wages as your only criterion for a new job. Income can be intoxicating, but you should also consider your fit with the culture, the content of the job, the leaders with whom you’ll work and the colleagues from whom you’ll have the opportunity to learn. There are a lot of factors which contribute to your happiness at work—remember wages are only one of them.

Remote Work and Flexible Work

One of the newest considerations for your career choices is where you’ll work and the hours you’ll work. Increasingly, employers are offering flexibility in these areas to attract and retain in this tight job market. ManpowerGroup found 39% of employers are offering more flexible working schedules and 28% are offering more flexible working locations. A study of 420 decision makers by Atlas found 95% of companies believed some portion of their workforce would work remotely, either full time or part time. In addition, companies predicted 1/3 of their workforce would work fully remote and ¼ would work in a hybrid model.

Remote and hybrid working arrangements are increasingly what employees are demanding. The Elements study found the searches for “jobs that are done remotely” was up 114% between February 202 and July 2021. And the study from Monster found 69% of employees who don’t work remote today are considering switching jobs if a new job would offer the opportunity for remote work.

Says Scott Gutz, chief executive officer, Monster, “…the world has changed in 18 months. Employees have changed their approach to work-life balance and the relative importance of being in an office setting versus a home office setting.” And according to Harper, “It’s clear that people have been changed by the pandemic and have higher expectations of their employer to align with their values, enable work-life blend and positively contribute to our communities.”

Career Implication: You will likely have increasing opportunities to work your way in your location. Consider how and where you like to work, and seek choices and options from your employer. You may be able to move to a new region or community and do a job which would previously have been unavailable. Or you may be able to flex your schedule so you can find the just-right mix of the rewards of your work and rewards of activities outside of work (children, family, volunteering, etc.).

Consider flexible work as one aspect of the set of advantages your career choice offers. In addition, give thought to how much you’ll want to be face-to-face with colleagues to build your relationships and present in the organization to ensure visibility and future career growth.

In Sum

Now is the time to grow your career—in whatever way it is most meaningful for you. From more fulfillment and flexibility to greater pay and enhanced training, the opportunities are significant. The “fresh air effect” suggests that something new may seem ideal—and the grass may seem greener in the next role. But consider all you love and have invested in your current success before you make a jump. Chances are you’ll have plenty of new alternatives to choose from, and this may be the moment for a stretch, a new beginning or a new adventure in your career journey—in your current organization or in a new one.

Forbes.com | September 19, 2021 | Tracy Brower

#YourCareer : Success Strategies for Your 1st Month in Your Executive Position. Now that You’re at your New Job, what are you Supposed to Do?

July 20, 2021/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

You’ve worked so hard on your job search to find a perfect fit for your career and it’s finally paid off. Now that you’re at your new job, what are you supposed to do? Depending on the nature of the job, you may be thrown right into the fire and be slammed with work right away. However, most employers will ease in a new executive and allow them to get a feel for their new position, their co-workers and the overall culture in general.

The first month of your new job is critical for setting the standard of your work and becoming familiar with systems and processes you can’t develop or learn through a LinkedIn profile. Here are some things to do during the first month of your new job.

Fit In With The Culture

You likely did some research about the culture of your new company during the job search. It was important to learn about the culture while writing an executive bio, and the professional resume writing service you used likely took the culture into consideration as they crafted your resume as well. However, there’s nothing like getting first-hand knowledge and experience to learn how people operate on a daily basis. You should have a basic knowledge of the company’s culture before you even begin your first day, but taking further steps to ensure you fit in as much as possible will benefit you as well.

Make Internal Connections

Connect with anyone you can within the office during your first month. You may have seen some of your coworkers’ LinkedIn profiles, but stop by and have a short conversation whenever you have a chance. This goes for anyone outside of your department as well. Connect with them on a work level and a personal level as appropriate so they will get a sense of who you are and you will establish your reputation along the way.

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Best Daily Choice: Follow the Best of FSC Career Articles/Blogs @

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Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

We here at FSC want to thank each of corporate partners in the opportunity in serving & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment !

Article continued …

Build Your Credibility To Set The Standard

Your professional resume writing service helped you build credibility in your resume, but now it’s time to show it. Go above and beyond the job duties given to you during the first month. Building this credibility right away will help set the standard and give others the impression they can rely on you to get the job done.

Don’t Be Overly Ambitious

Just be careful about being too ambitious, since you don’t want to show up anyone during your first month. This goes for questioning internal policies and procedures as well. It’s ok to make suggestions at times, but it’s also important to understand every company operates differently and some of these things need to be accepted without rocking the boat.

FSC Career Blog Author: Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

FSC Career Blog – July 20, 2021

Starting New Job: The Top 10 Mistakes Made by New Hires.

March 11, 2020/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

We know that starting a new job can be a bit overwhelming and mistakes can be made, especially in the first month when new hires are still getting the lay of the land. And whether or not it’s fair, judgments are made about new employees—often very quickly.

So, if you’re new to your role or you know someone who is, here is an onboarding checklist of 10 mistakes to avoid.

Not showing up early enough

Arriving late for work sends an immediate negative message and a warning sign to your manager and coworkers, but showing up right on time can often mean cutting it close to being late. A best practice: why not show up early for your first couple of months, which will broadcast that you are reliable, eager to be there, and you’re are a team player? Showing up early also affords the opportunity to get to know your new coworkers more quickly, both on a personal and professional level.

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Best Daily Choice: Follow the Best of FSC Career Articles/Blogs @

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Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

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What Skill Sets do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Continue of the article:

Isolating yourself

As the “new employee on the block,” you might be struggling to adjust, but it is important to resist the urge to keep to yourself. It’s very important to proactively get involved as much as possible at the beginning of a new job. Make it a point to have lunch with your new coworkers, regularly switching it up to meet and get to know new people. Be friendly and helpful and let them see the real “you.” By doing so, you will both accelerate your learning curve and get to know your new coworkers. Special and meaningful relationships will result.

Being afraid to ask questions

Let’s admit it: no one knows everything. Especially not new employees. Thus, there is absolutely no reason for you to start a new role and feel like you need to immediately prove that you were the right person chosen for the job; you did that during the interview process. It’s much better to dive in and ask questions. Seek the advice, answers, and opinions of those who are more experienced. This is how you learn. One of the smartest people in history, Albert Einstein, once said: “The day you stop learning is the day you start dying.” Nothing could be truer.

Being negative or engaging in gossip

Bringing positivity to the workplace is an awesome way to assimilate into a new work environment. Make an active effort to avoid negativity and the archetypical malaise and gossip around the water cooler. The last thing you want to be labeled as is as one of those actively disengaged employees.

Failing to ask your boss how to best communicate with him/her

All bosses are different in how they prefer interaction with their employees. So why not ask them upfront? Do they prefer email, voicemail, instant messaging, a weekly meeting, or the always healthy in-person drop by? Do not assume your new boss communicates like the other managers you had before. Ask.

Taking on too much work

There is an enormous gulf between trying to impress your new coworkers and burning yourself out with work volume. Relax. Rome was not built in a day. It’s much better to focus on work quality than quantity. After all, the number one reason people quit their jobs is stress/burnout. Your company wants an employee for the long term!

Ignoring corporate culture

This is a big and very common error that can negatively affect the impression you make on your new colleagues. Rather than fall victim to culture blindness, actively seek to discover the following aspects of your new workplace culture:

What are the organization’s beliefs, values, goals, and strategic mission?
How do things get approved?
How do people dress?
What are the office politics? (Often difficult to identify without the help of a trusted coworker or boss).
What are the unwritten “policies” that you would not find in the employee handbook?
What are the organization’s policies vis-à-vis social media and the internet?
How about the policies and expectations regarding personal cell phone use?
What are the organization’s policies on being able to work remotely, as well as having flexible work hours?
What are the absolute “No-Nos” of the culture or the acts and behaviors that are highly discouraged?
What are the most common roadblocks to getting things done, as well as the corresponding workarounds?

Discovering the answers to these kinds of topics will hyper-speed your assimilation to a new work environment, delivering you to profound success.

Not writing things down

When onboarding new employees, companies shower them with a waterfall of information, from new names and faces to tasks, assignments, technology, and even your boss’ preferences. It’s hard to remember everything, but having to be told the same things multiple times will make new hires look bad.

Numerous studies have shown that writing things down creates better retention of information, so it’s smart to take notes on everything during your first few weeks. For complex instructions, it’s always good to have notes you can refer back to later anyway. Writing things down also demonstrates an extra effort to your new coworkers and boss that you are engaged and care about doing a good job.

Talking too much about your last job

You definitely do not want to be the person who is referencing their old job repeatedly. Simply put, the re-hashing of your old job to your new coworkers becomes stale pretty quickly. People might also interpret your remembrances as longing to have your old job back, which is obviously not the message you want to send.

Failing to take initiative

There are always ways to go above and beyond what is expected. If you aren’t showing that initiative from the very beginning, it’s a missed opportunity to make a positive impression on your new boss and coworkers.

Start before you start. For example, prior to your first formal day, proactively ask your manager for recommendations on how you can prepare for your first day. Ask for reading materials about the company, its products and services, and employee communications such that you can prepare to onboard (e.g., notes from town hall meetings, employee newsletters, annual reports, a new hire checklist, etc.).

Once you start the new job, be quick to offer help to others. If meetings are optional, such as town halls or brown-bag lunch and learn, make it a point to attend. Seizing learning and development opportunities is an awesome way to establish yourself as a go-getter and accelerate your career and personal growth.

Onboarding new employees are hard for companies, but it’s even harder for new hires! Whether you’re about to start a new job or you have no plans on leaving your company, bookmark this onboarding checklist so you have it just in case! Being aware of potential pitfalls makes it much easier to avoid them.

FSC Career Blog Author: Kevin Sheridan is an internationally-recognized Keynote Speaker, a New York Times Best Selling Author, and one of the most sought-after voices in the world on the topic of Employee Engagement. For six years running, he has been honored on Inc. Magazine’s top 100 Leadership Speakers in the world, as well as Inc.’s top 100 experts on Employee Engagement. He was also honored to be named to The Employee Engagement Award’s Top 101 Global Influencers on Employee Engagement of 2017 & 2018.

Having spent thirty years as a high-level Human Capital Management consultant, Kevin has helped some of the world’s largest corporations rebuild a culture that fosters productive engagement, earning him several distinctive awards and honors. Kevin’s premier creation, PEER^®, has been consistently recognized as a long-overdue, industry-changing innovation in the field of Employee Engagement. His first book, Building A Magnetic Culture, made six of the bestseller lists including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. He is also the author of The Virtual Manager, which explores how to most effectively manage remote workers.

Kevin received a Master of Business Administration from the Harvard Business School in 1988, concentrating his degree in Strategy, Human Resources Management, and Organizational Behavior. He is also a serial entrepreneur, having founded and sold three different companies.

Links:

www.kevinsheridanllc.com

Twitter
LinkedIn

https://www.instagram.com/kevinsheridanllc/

Email: kevin@kevinsheridanllc.com

FSC Career Blog | March 11, 2020

#CareerAdvice : #JobSearch – 9 Important Things to Discuss With #HR Before Accepting a #NewJob …If you are Offered a #NewPosition, Here are Nine Important Things that you Need to Talk With HR about Before you Accept the Offer.

September 24, 2018/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

At one time, many people had the mindset that jobs were hard to come by, so they should take whatever was offered to them with no questions asked. Today, people are becoming choosier about their career paths, and they know that they are deserving of more than the bare minimum.

In our job seeker-driven labor market, people aren’t content to take anything that is being offered, and they know that they need to ask certain questions to make sure that they are going to be treated like a valued employee and not just a number.

If you are offered a new position, here are nine important things that you need to talk with HR about before you accept the offer.

1. Ask About Benefits

It is important to know what is included in the benefits package. If the benefits are not appealing, this may not be the right company for you to work at. Find out about provider options, how much you have to pay into the health plan yourself, what is covered (including prescriptions and specialty services), if dental and vision care is covered, etc. These days, with the high cost of health care, it is important to know that you have excellent health care coverage through your employer.

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Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

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What Skill Sets do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Continue of article:

2. Ask if the Salary Is Negotiable

Depending on the employer, and the job being offered, the salary may or may not be set in stone. Most employers aren’t going to come right out and tell you that salaries are negotiable because they want to pay as little as possible. This is information you are going to need to dig for, so you are just going to have to come right out and ask. You will never know unless you do, after all. Besides, you may be pleasantly surprised by the answer. In many cases, if the candidate has enough to offer an employer, the employer is going to be more than willing to negotiate the salary a little bit.

3. Ask About Other Perks

These days, it is not always enough for companies to offer competitive wages and benefits packages. The more perks a company offers, the more attractive the job offer is going to be. So, you need to find out what other perks might be available to you should you decide to accept the position being offered. Perks can be anything from flexible shifts and working hours to office parties to paid time off and more. Some of the best perks to ask about are advancement training and promotion opportunities.

4. Ask about Vacation Time

Now may not seem like the most appropriate time to ask about vacations, but it is as good a time as any. Plus, you need to know before you take the job if you are going to actually be able to take vacations at all. Some companies only let you take time off that is unpaid, while others offer paid vacations once you have worked for them for a certain amount of time. Don’t forget to ask if you can roll over any unused vacation days and use them in the following year.

5. Ask What Other Employees Say About the Company

You can tell a lot about a company by listening to what current and past employees have to say about it. If it is a good company to work for, the HR person should have no problem telling you what employees are saying about the company, and even find people within the company for you to talk to. (Of course, you can always check Glassdoor reviews as well!) If you find out that the employees are happy in their jobs, chances are you will be as well, and that this is a company that you would like to work for.

6. Ask About Incentive Compensation

Some companies will give bonuses to their employees as compensation for certain incentives, such as taking on additional responsibilities, pay raises based on performance, etc. Find out if monetary bonuses are offered, and if so, what the criteria are to be eligible for these bonuses. The more you know about how you will be compensated, the more you will strive to really earn those bonuses and be the very best that you can be when it comes to doing your job.

7. Ask About Relocation Expenses

If you are going to have to relocate in order to take the position, you need to find out if the company is going to help with any of the relocating expenses. Obviously, they are not going to pay for everything, but if they expect you to move for them, they should be expected to help in some way. For instance, they may offer to pay a percentage of the actual moving expenses or put you up in a rental unit until you are able to find an appropriate and affordable place to live.

8. Ask About Education Opportunities

Many companies will offer incentives for employees to go back to school or receive additional training that is going to help them advance in their careers. In fact, this is one way that companies can ensure long-term employees, because these employees are grateful for the help, and want to give back. Some companies will pay for a portion of tuition, and some even allow you to take a leave of absence in order to get your degree. The more education you have, the more you will have to offer your employer, and they often recognize this and will help.

9. Ask for Everything in Writing

Ask if you can have the job offer, and everything that you have agreed on, in writing. This way, there is little chance that the employer is going to pull back on the offer. A written agreement is much more binding than an oral agreement, and if you have everything on paper, they can’t turn around later and say that something wasn’t part of the offer, add work that isn’t in the job description. If they don’t want to give you anything in writing, it is a good sign that this may not be the best company for you to work at.

GlassDoor.com | September 24, 2018 | Posted by Jane Hurst

#CareerAdvice : #OnBoarding – Starting A #NewJob ? Follow ‘The 30/60/90 Plan’…By Organizing & Prioritizing, you Can Make the Most Out of the Initial Stages of your New Job.

July 28, 2018/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Starting a new job comes with a multitude of emotions, some good and some bad. Fortunately, the wonders of organization come to the rescue, yet again, as the transition is eased through the 30/60/90-day plan.

An unfamiliar routine, or lack of a routine altogether, can cause for added stress as well as the growing pressures to impress and succeed at the new position. Although your stress may build for a variety of reasons, getting organized always alleviates the nervous tension at the hip of getting started.

A plan of any sort provides us with a tangible version of where we are going and where we want to be, all while tracking our progress and achievements along the way. By planning out your goals of the first 30, 60, and 90 days on the job, you have created your own vision and you are sure to take advantage of your full potential as a new hire.

In just a small time frame, you are expected to learn how to do your job successfully, in addition to discovering how to fit in. Your 30/60/90 game plan can get you there. Here is a sample outline of suggested goals to incorporate into your own customized plan:

1. 30 Days – The Learning Stage

One common mistake of new hires is never taking the time to understand exactly what it is that the company is trying to accomplish through their strategic plan. As a new hire, it is extremely important to put in the effort to study and learn the internal lay of the land as follows:

Bring the mission statement and vision to life and discover the plans the company abides by to reach these core values.
Understand your boss’s expectations of you.
Begin forming professional relationships with coworkers.
Learn about your customers and clients.
Investigate the overall company culture.

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2. 60 Days – Adding the Y-O-U

Once you have taken time to fully assess the company, begin adding your strengths to the equation:

Progressively begin building your own personal brand within the company by showcasing what you do well.
Brainstorm the ways in which your own personal touch can accelerate company growth.
You may have started with listening much more than talking, which is recommended. By this stage, begin leveling out the playing fields by contributing to the conversation.
Furthermore, be an effective communicator by being open. You’re the newbie, but don’t hide behind your computer screen two months in.
Become more versatile by taking on some tasks outside of your set responsibilities.
Continue to be mindful of your boss’s expectations of you.

90 Days – The Transformation Stage

By this time, you should have a firm grasp of the role you play in the company. Your confidence is likely to have grown since your first day and leadership qualities are hopefully itching to be put to action. At this point, consider the following:

You know your employer well enough by now to be proactive when it comes to company happenings.
Be attentive and aware of new projects and come ready with possible solutions.
Analyze the growth in your network.
Dodge your novice mistakes.
Look into broadening your horizons by getting more involved. You can do this by joining a club, council, board, or committee.
Make time to notice your growth and reward yourself for your progress.

Your 30/60/90 plan is your written path from a new hire to an effective leader. By organizing and prioritizing, you can make the most out of the initial stages of your new job.

In what ways have you eased the first few months of starting a new job? Do you find the power in planning and organizing when starting something new? Let us know below.

GlassDoor.com | July 22, 2018 |Posted by Heather Huhman

Your #Career : #CareerAdvice – 5 Email Templates to Use When Asking for a #Reference …It’s No Secret: Asking for References can Be Intimidating. We Reached Out to #CareerExperts for Right Way to Ask Someone to Serve as a Reference Over Email.

June 27, 2018/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

It’s no secret: asking for references can be intimidating. Since references often don’t come from the company you’re working at currently — especially if you haven’t yet told them you’re sniffing out new opportunities — you often must reach out to colleagues from across the spectrum of your career.

This means contacting people you may not have spoken to in a while, and asking them to take time out of their schedule to remember your attributes and speak about them with your potential employers. The quality of your references can make or break certain hiring processes, so it’s of the utmost importance to find the right people.

Although sending the same stock email out to each potential reference can save you time, it’s not advised. A reference request should be personalized to the person you’re sending it to, and the type of relationship you had with them.

We reached out to career experts Tiffany Franklin, who is the founder of TFJ Career Coaching and works in career services at an Ivy League School and Emily Kapit, MS, MRW, ACRW, CPRW, career strategist and owner of ReFresh Your Step career consultancy, to learn more about the right way to ask someone to serve as a reference over email.

“You want them to feel like you’re asking them because you truly want them to be a reference, not just because you have to have three,” says Kapit, underscoring the importance of tailoring each request to the person you’re reaching out to.

To get an idea of what personalized email requests for references would look like, these five templates give a full idea of what type of language is appropriate for different relationships.

For A Former Boss

Hi Donna! I hope you have been doing well. It’s hard to believe it has been three years since we worked together. I learned so much while we were working on the XYZ project and have fond memories of working at [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][company name].

Things have been good here. I have enjoyed working at [company name] for the past two years and getting to explore the city of Denver. After much contemplation, I’ve decided it’s time for new challenges, so I’m beginning to search for Marketing Director roles and hope to relocate to San Diego later this year.

Would you be available to serve as a reference and provide a positive recommendation for me? If you are, I would be happy to send you my resume and a sample job description so you have an updated view of my experience and what I’m seeking.

Thank you for considering this. I look forward to connecting with you again and hearing your updates.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

This reference request, written by Franklin, masterfully re-establishes the connection with the former boss and brings them up to speed on your recent professional history. “The wording of your message to re-introduce yourself to a potential reference will depend on the nature of the relationship (former boss vs. coworker), how close you were at the time, whether you saw each other outside of work in social settings and exactly how long has it been since you last connected,” Franklin says. She adds that it’s also important to consider the timing of your request and how far you are in the job search process, which can determine the likelihood that they will be imminently contacted.

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For A Former Collaborator

Dear X,

I hope you’re well. I’ve been following your career via LinkedIn for the last several years and see that you’ve moved up to [new role] — congratulations! In the last few years, I have also moved up and am currently doing [current role]. I’m looking to transition to an even more senior role and am conducting both an internal and an external search regarding future opportunities. In doing so, I was reflecting on who would be a really good reference for me, and felt that you would be one.

I recall our time working on [particular project] and I thought that given what I’m looking for in that next role, you would be a great person to speak to the skills I bring to the table as well as the kind of hard worker that I am, and would really appreciate if you could serve as a reference for me.

Of course, I am more than happy to do the same for you at any point in time. Please do let me know. Additionally, if you would be so kind as to put the recommendation on my LinkedIn profile, I would greatly appreciate that. Again, I would be more than happy to do the same for you.

I wish you continued success in your career and look forward to being in touch. Please do reach out with any questions!

All the best,

[Your name]

This template, written by Kapit, contains a few powerful elements. First of all, it gives the recommender a specific reason why you’re asking them, of all people, to be your reference. Second, you’re following what some call the “golden rule of networking”: offering your help to someone else, so that they may offer their help to you. This particular template offers to recommend or serve as a reference for the other person in return for them doing the same for you — a great strategy for making the “ask” feel much less one-sided.

For A Former Mentor

Hi Mr. Thomas! I hope you’re doing well. It’s hard to believe that it’s already been four years since we worked together at [company name]. How have you been?

I really appreciate all I learned during that time and the guidance you provided. It has been so helpful with my client projects here at [company name]. I have been networking as you suggested and recently became aware of an interesting opportunity to become a Marketing Manager. Given my work on client projects over the past few years, I feel it would be a perfect fit and great next step. Would you be willing to provide a positive recommendation for me? I’ll be happy to provide you with my resume, full details of the job and any other info you would find helpful.

Thank you for considering this. I hope we can catch up properly soon.

Warm regards,

[Your name]

This request, written by Franklin, shows the power of a brief — yet humble, respectful and professional – email. When you have reservations about sending a request to someone, or are worried that the connection might be too tenuous, always defer to a humble, professional tone. In addition, Franklin says, “when making any request in life, it’s helpful to use empathy and think about how you would feel if you received a similar request. If you get a feeling in the pit of your stomach that you’re asking for too much or it sounds like you’re sucking up or something like that, re-think the email.”

For A Former Direct Report

Dear X,

I hope all is well with you. I heard you were promoted to [new position] at [former company]. Nice!

I’m reaching out today because I’m looking to make my next career move, and I’m in need of references for the positions I’m applying for. Given our extensive working history together, I thought that you would be able to speak to my ability as a manager, and I was wondering if you would be willing to serve as a reference. If asked, I think that the example of [X project] we worked on together would be particularly salient.

Of course I would be more than willing to act as a reference for you or provide you with any sort of recommendation. Please let me know if you have any questions!

Kindly,

[Your name]

While it’s less common to ask someone who you formerly managed to be a reference for you, it can be appropriate in cases where you’re looking to show off your management skills to the hiring team. Reaching out to a person who was your subordinate has a slightly different tone than asking someone who you worked under. “You want to mirror the tone of the relationship that you had with them in your prior role,” Franklin advises. “That way, the style of your request is consistent with how you have always interacted with that person and won’t seem outside the balance of what that relationship [is] and always [has] been.” Franklin also provides a number of templates outreach examples in her “Essential Guide to Securing References for a Job Search.”

A Former Client

Dear X,

I just heard news that your company recently [accomplishment]. Congratulations! I’m always heartened and delighted to see what your company is doing in the world.

I’m writing today because I’m looking to transition into a new role doing [new job], and I’m looking for a few people who can serve as references for me and speak to my skills as a [your profession]. I thought that the project we worked on last year was a great example of how I can [list skills]. I would be very grateful if you were able to serve as a reference for me.

Please let me know if you have any questions — and I’m also happy to refresh your memory on the details of the project and the role I played if you want me to send anything over.

All the best,

[Your name]

“Try to be specific regarding why you’re asking that particular person to be a reference for you,” counsels Kapit. In this template, praise is given to the former client in order to remind them of their connection to you. In addition, listing specific skills tied to the project you worked on together can help trigger their memory of why exactly they would be qualified to comment on your professional prowess.

GlassDoor.com | June 27, 2018 | Posted by Lillian Childress

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#CareerAdvice : #BestofFSCBlog -The Simple Trick that has Helped me #LandJobs Without Having to Apply….Must REad!

April 2, 2018/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Author Anna Davies hasn’t applied for a job through a portal in over a decade.
Instead, every few years, she sends our her a “hire me” email and sends it to her contacts — including old coworkers, bosses, neighbors, landlords, people she trained with for a marathon, and more — via BCC.
To keep up your own network, Davies recommends helping people out when you can, becoming a mentor, and volunteering.

Networking is simply tapping into your social circle and the people you already know, to try to find the best fit for a position that aligns to your interests and abilities,”

Every few years, I pull out my “hire me” email and bcc it to my contacts, which includes old coworkers and bosses — but also former neighbors, landlords, people I trained with for a marathon, and so on. It looks like this:

Hi all,

After a really fun two years of traveling and freelancing — currently sitting in a cafe in gloomy Edinburgh — I’m planning to settle back in New York City on 10/5 and am looking for a full-time job in editorial or copywriting. Above all, really looking for a position at the senior-editor level or above with challenging work and great coworkers.

A bit about my resume: Was last a senior editor in magazines, but left my last job in November 2012, and since then have been freelancing for magazines and websites, as well as writing YA novels — 13 published for various houses. Interests include brand copywriting — can turn around copy fast — health, psychology and relationships.

Resume attached, and thanks in advance for any leads!

Thanks to this email template, I haven’t applied for a job via a job portal in a decade — I’ve always been able to find opportunities through my network. But my confidence in the approach took a dive when I shared it with a former coworker recently. She was job-hunting and frustrated by the lack of response from sending applications through online forms.

“It’s like I’m sending them into a black hole,” she said. “I don’t even know if they get read.”

When I suggested my email trick, she wrinkled her nose.

“Doesn’t that sound desperate?”

I flushed. I hadn’t thought so, but did it? The technique had been successful, but what if it seemed like I was just begging for a job?

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A few weeks later, I reached out to the same friend to see if she wanted to take on some freelance work. She replied back, saying she didn’t have time — she had tried the email trick, got five interviews and just started a full-time job. Even though it felt uncomfortable, it was clear: The networking approach works.

While the word “networking” may conjure up visions of people mingling around a badly lit ballroom, bedecked in name tags, it doesn’t have to feel artificial.

“Networking is simply tapping into your social circle and the people you already know, to try to find the best fit for a position that aligns to your interests and abilities,” notes J. Kelly Hoey, career expert and author of “Build Your Dream Network: Forging Powerful Relationships in a Hyper-Connected World.” Having someone vouch for your skills can go way beyond what a hiring manager gets from your resume and a 15-minute phone screen.

Today, finding jobs through who you know is easier than ever. Jane McGonigal, a video game designer and author, has gotten gigs via Twitter — simply by tweeting what she wishes she could work on. “I’m constantly tweeting about cool projects,” she says, adding that part of her success is due to her 150,000 followers. “But I think this approach can also work for other people. When you talk about the things you love, people take notice.”

The other benefit of networking? It can save you hours spent on job search engines. “I’ve never applied for a job,” says Lelia Gowland, a 30-year-old entrepreneur from New Orleans. “I had a lot of internships in college, and I stayed in touch with all my hiring managers. That’s how I got my first job at the Dallas Zoo, where I stayed for a year.”

Gowland found that having a large network in her corner helped her make the leap to entrepreneurship. “My network is everything,” she says. “I think it’s all about showing interest, seeing what other people are doing, and seeing how your skills match their needs and interests. It’s a give-and-take relationship.”

Here’s what I’ve learned from tapping my network of friends and colleagues — and how you can make it work for you, too.

1. Seek out examples

Networking language varies across industries. Some, like mine, can be informal, while others are more buttoned-up. If you work in an industry like finance or law, join professional organizations and go to events, suggests Hoey. You don’t need to pitch everyone; being friendly and engaged is enough.

2. Get social

Think beyond LinkedIn — Twitter, Instagram and Facebook can be valuable platforms for networking. Having discussions, following people in your industry, and making sure your LinkedIn is up-to-date are all easy ways to stay relevant online.

3. Give in return

Remember, this is a relationship, so it’s important to give something to the other party, too. A simple “congratulations” when they’ve been promoted, for example, can keep things on good terms, Hoey suggests. Send things that don’t need a response — a short message, an article link, or a forwarded invite to a talk. The other person won’t feel like they need to do anything, but you’ll keep the conversation going.

4. Know when to take a break

It’s enticing to keep in contact with a powerful person you met, but if all you’re getting in return is radio silence, step back and focus on other connections.

5. Say ‘thank you’

“People want to help, and if their advice or introduction led to a job, tell them about it!” says Hoey. A sincere “thank you” will go a long way.

6. Keep searching job sites

If you already have a large network, it’s easy to get complacent. Don’t. Having a resume on-hand and being knowledgeable about industry news means you won’t need to play catch-up if an interview comes your way.

7. Volunteer

One of the best ways to meet people is through volunteering, especially if it’s industry-adjacent, says Hoey, who began volunteering with the group 85 Broads (now Ellevate) when she wanted to pivot from her legal background. Later, she was tapped to lead the group as president. When you show your skills in an authentic way, people want to work with you.

8. Be a mentor

Offer time to talk over coffee or help mentor people at your alma mater who want to get into your industry. They may have no power now, but you have no idea where they’ll end up a few years down the line.

Businessinsider.com | April 1, 2018 | Anna Davies, LearnVest

Your #Career : How To Discreetly Look For A New Job While You’re At Work… You Can’t Always Do your #JobSearch After-Hours. Here’s How to Be Inconspicuous When you Have to Do It at Work.

February 28, 2018/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

If you clicked on this article, there’s a high probability that you’re considering finding a new job. Maybe you’re actively applying. Maybe you’re just “keeping an eye open” (or you know, just “sneaking a peek” at those LinkedIn job alerts). Regardless of where you stand, though, you know the one cardinal rule: Do not, on any account, job search at work.

Seems obvious, right? You’re being paid by your current employer, and so you should use your work hours to do your job. Even if you’re unhappy. You’re ethically and contractually obligated to do the work they’re paying you for . . . right?

Well, here’s the “unpopular opinion” part. Following that rule–the one that we all know by heart because it’s just so obvious–is actually impossible. We’re about to argue that you can’t not job search at work. And–dare we say this– that’s okay.

ON WHY MOST OF US DO IT

Simple facts first. You spend at least 40 hours a week at work, probably more. And you’re not alone. As a society, we’re at work longer than ever. And that’s problem No. 1.

It’s one of the biggest catch-22s of the working world. Everyone has standard work days (more or less), meaning your next potential employer does, too. They’re busy, they’re distracted, and they get to you, the applicant, when they get to you. They go through resumes when they get in on Mondays, respond to questions about timing between afternoon meetings, send requests for a link to your portfolio or references on a 2 p.m. whim. That means all those emails and calls hit you when you’re supposed to be focusing on something else, namely your current job. So you’re faced with a decision: Do you respond immediately to make sure you don’t miss the opportunity, or do you do the “right” thing and wait until after hours?

Back in 2011, a Monster survey found that one-quarter of people are spending over three hours per week searching for a job at work. Presumably that number’s only climbed higher over the last six years. Our access to smartphones means the risk of companies tracking what we do online is much lower. And that means that we’re even less concerned about getting caught.

Actually, a 2015 Pew Research Study found that 28% of U.S. job seekers (and a whopping 53% of 18- to 29-year-olds) use smartphones during their job search. The study also found that 43% of people ages 18-29 and 36% of people ages 30-49 now use social media to look for work as well. Given that checking texts or tweeting personal updates from the office is rampant these days, it’s easy to see why more and more of us are actively looking for jobs at the office.

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ON WHY IT CAN’T BE HELPED

But just for the sake of argument, let’s say you don’t. You define clear boundaries. You keep your worlds separate. You’re ethically sound with a glorious amount of willpower–the kind that helps you just say no to checking your personal email at work, even when you’re waiting to hear back about your dream job. Major props. But . . . what happens when you get home to an email asking you to interview next Tuesday at 11 a.m.?

In this scenario, all of us feel awkward. How do you ask for time off when you’re using it to potentially leave your company behind? For some of us, there are personal days that we can take, no questions asked—although I’ve yet to encounter that. For the rest of us, our companies just don’t really operate that way.

Most of us, when faced with this dilemma, do some variation of a theme: We lie. We tell our bosses that we have a doctor’s appointment, or we call out sick. And in each of these cases–personal day, sick day, vacation day–we’re using paid time off to talk to another company. We’re missing important work hours simply because that’s how job searches work. It’s a sticky situation, one that inevitably feels a bit like betrayal. But when was the last time someone offered you an after-hours interview? What choice do you have, really?

Let’s let go of illusions. Even beyond interviewing, we’ve all used work hours to search for a job. Some of us go full-on, scrolling through job boards when no one else is around, and some of us will try our best to just . . . not. But if a recruiter asks you to take a 15-minute pre-screen call without much notice? Chances are you step out into the hall.

Some might argue such moments don’t count as “job searching at work.” You’re entitled to breaks, and if you want to use one to talk to a recruiter, it’s your time, not your company’s. But even if you’re using personal days or lunch hours to work on job searching, every time you step away to focus on finding a new job, you’re taking your concentration off what you’re being paid to do. And every time you step back, you spend more time reconnecting to the tasks at hand.

Until the interviewing process changes (and it won’t), you will job search while at work. The system is stacked against you–from when hiring managers schedule meetings, to the extra hours you have to log to updating your portfolio and resume, thus resulting in creative burnout come Monday. Adding the burden of job searching to an already packed schedule means that you won’t be able to give 100% of yourself to your current work. It’s okay. Repeat this to yourself if it helps: I am in a transition period, and some things will slip through the cracks.

It doesn’t make you a bad person. It means that you’re prioritizing your own career and growth and putting yourself first. You’ll have to accept that you’re cheating a little. But it’s only temporary, right?

ON JOB SEARCHING AT WORK THE HARD WAY

You can’t avoid the overlap, but the trick is doing it in a way that will least offend anybody. Here are some rules you should follow. They’re a little less black and white.

Just Don’t:

Use your company email address, phone, or computer for job searching. Honestly, this is less out of respect for your company (although that too) than it is for preserving your position while you still need it. Because yes, in some cases, you can get fired for looking for another job.
Over-explain when you ask for time off for an interview. The more fake details about your illness you give, the more likely they’ll suspect you.
If you’re updating your LinkedIn, be careful about alerts. It’s pretty obvious that you’re job hunting if your coworkers or, worse, your boss, gets hit with a bunch of LinkedIn update emails when they walk into the office.
Share with your coworkers that you’re hunting. At least not yet. There may be a time and a place when you need to use a trusted coworker for a reference, but keep in mind, you’re then asking them to take time away from their work to go to bat for you. It’s a big ask, and one that you’ll need to plan carefully.
Slack off. Look, we know it’s tempting, and that some of it can’t be avoided. We also spent this whole article telling you to cut yourself a break. But (because always) you don’t need to scroll job boards during normal work hours. You really don’t. Save the cheating on work behavior for the times it really matters, like when you need to leave early for an interview. After all, you might need those references next time you find yourself hunting.

Fastcompany.com | February 28, 2018 | BY JESSICA BENNETT—CAREER CONTESSA 6 MINUTE READ

#Leadership : How To #FindAJob That Keeps You Happy In The Long Term…Looking for a #NewJob Takes Time & Energy, so Be Sure you Know What you Want Before you Even Start the Process.

January 18, 2018/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

If you’re thinking about jumping ship this year, you’re not alone. According to a new survey from Glassdoor, 35% of recruiters, HR professionals, and hiring managers anticipate that more employees will leave their companies within the next 12 months.

While finding another job is often an important catalyst for positive change, let’s be honest: The process itself is not exactly anyone’s idea of a good time. Between resume and cover letter drafting, interviewing and negotiating salary, job seeking can be time-consuming, stressful and draining–so ideally, you want to go through that process as few times as possible.

The key to accomplishing that, of course, is finding a job that you’ll be happy with for years to come. But how exactly do you find that?

The answer, hiring decision makers believe, is to inform yourself as much as possible during the job search. So the next time you find yourself seeking out a new position, make sure to take the following steps.

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FIND JOBS THAT ALIGN WITH YOUR SALARY EXPECTATIONS

Nearly half of the those surveyed (45%) said that the primary motivating factor for employees’ departure was salary, and over one third (37%) believed that employees would be significantly more likely to stay on for longer if they were more informed about salary during the interview process. After all, if you accept a role that satisfies your pay requirements, you won’t have to seek a better-paying job elsewhere.

To provide job seekers with increased transparency, Glassdoor now includes salary estimates on about 52% of U.S. job listings, with that number expected to grow in the future. By looking at these estimates, you can quickly and easily screen out positions that don’t meet your salary needs, saving you valuable time and improving the odds of securing the salary you deserve. Not quite sure what you should be aiming for? Try Glassdoor’s Know Your Worth™ tool to get a free, personalized estimate of what you should be making.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ROOM FOR GROWTH

Besides salary, career advancement opportunities were the second biggest reason that hiring professionals believed employees were leaving. It’s easy to fixate on the present when you’re looking for a new job, but if you want to stay at a company for years to come, that short-sighted thinking is not enough. Eventually, you’ll probably want to move up in your career, whether that means a more senior title, bigger paycheck or additional responsibilities. A few signs that the company you’re looking at will help support your future growth? Clear paths to promotion, training, career development programs and formal mentorship opportunities.

EVALUATE THE BENEFITS PACKAGE

Another major reason employees leave their current positions, survey participants said, was to seek better benefits. It makes sense–after all, salary isn’t everything. Besides your take-home pay, perks and benefits are also core components of your total compensation. A company with incredible benefits like premium-free health coverage, parental leave, and generous paid vacation time may end up saving you more money in the long run than one with higher starting salaries. Alternatively, you might just be willing to accept a lower salary in exchange for a particularly enticing perk. For example, plenty of folks have no problem making a little less if it means that they get to work from home.

GET THE SCOOP ON LOCALE

The last key reason survey participants said employees chose to look elsewhere for employment? Location. If you’re excited enough for an opportunity, a 45-minute commute one way may seem like no big deal–but after the honeymoon period ends, you might not feel the same way. When you receive a job offer, carefully consider where the position is located. Would you have a quick and easy commute? Is it close to public transportation? Would you have to move, leaving your friends and family behind? Some of these factors will undoubtedly matter to you more than others, but it’s still worth taking a good, hard look at the whole picture–you don’t want to commit to a job only to regret your choice six months later.

The bottom line: Well-informed job seekers make for happier employees. Before you even accept an offer–or perhaps before you even apply–figure out what matters the most to you and see how the company you’re considering stacks up. Not only will this help you narrow down the number of applications you send out–it will help ensure long-term career satisfaction.

FastCompany.com | January 18, 2018 | BY EMILY MOORE—GLASSDOOR 3 MINUTE READ