How’s your job? Thinking beyond the salary

By: GeraldOchoa

You’ve probably heard the phrase “it’s not about the money” a million times. Of course, at work, compensation is important—otherwise you probably wouldn’t be there. But other factors can make or break a job, factors that are just as important as your salary. Looking at these things one-by-one can help you get an idea of how your job is really going.

So, what are these factors? Let’s look at a few of the most important ones.

  1. Company culture: What’s the culture like? Do you feel like you fit in? Do you feel like your values align with the company’s values? These are important questions to ask yourself. If you don’t feel like you fit in or that your values are aligned, even if you’re making a good salary, it might be tough to feel motivated and engaged at work.

2. Work-life balance: How easy is it to achieve a good work-life balance in your current position? Do you feel like you’re always working and never have time for family, friends, or hobbies? If so, your work-life balance might be off. It’s important to have time for both work and your personal life—otherwise, you could end up feeling burned out.

3. Benefits: Benefits factor into your overall compensation and quality of life. What kind of benefits does the company offer? Do they providegood health insurance, dental coverage, 401(k) match, life insurance, employee discounts, and paid vacation days? These benefits and more are all important to consider. If a company doesn’t offer good benefits, it can be tough to feel valued.

4. Relationship with your manager: Do you have a good relationship with your manager? Do you trust each other? Do they support you and help you grow? Or do they micromanage you and make you feel like you’re not doing a good job? If it’s the latter, that can add a lot of stress to your job. A good manager is someone who will help you grow and develop in your career. They should be someone you can trust and rely on.

5. Potential for growth: Is there potential for growth in your position? Do you see a clear path forward? Are there opportunities to move up within the company? If not, it can be tough to feel motivated in your job. We all want to feel like we’re moving forward in our careers and that our hard work is leading to something. If there’s no potential for growth, it may be time to look for opportunities elsewhere.

6. Learning opportunities: Does the company offer opportunities for learning and development? Do they invest in their employees? If not, it can be difficult to feel like you’re growing in your career. Learning opportunities are important for keeping your skills sharp and for feeling like you’re moving forward.

7. Whether the job lines up with your overall career goals: Maybe you took the job when you had different career goals, or maybe your position changed as time went by. Assess whether what you’re doing, day-to-day, aligns with your overall career goals and where you want to be in five or ten years.

Source: iQuanti