Deciding whether or not to take a job is not an easy decision. It might seem like your dream job, but how can you know for sure? There are so many unknowns—the boss that you wanted to work with leaves for another position, the company tanks, you might not get along with your coworkers, you might get bored, or it turns out there’s no room for advancement. But there are several things you can consider as you decide whether to take a job. Here are five ways to decide if a job is the right fit for you.
Is there potential for growth?
Everyone’s interested in moving up within their company. Determine whether you can move up, and if so, how and when. What do those positions look like? What might those salary increases look like? Though you might not want to initiate salary discussions during an interview, you can about growth and professional development opportunities. Ask any contacts you’ve made at the company about their own career trajectories. A lot of industry-related salary information can often be found with a quick Google search. 
Are you excited about it?
If you don’t enjoy the work you’ll be doing at your new job, you’ll burn out quickly. Or you’ll at least get bored. Look at the job description and decide whether those tasks and responsibilities are interesting and enjoyable for you. Which skills will you be performing the most and which skills have you most enjoyed in the past?
Does the location work?
Location might not seem important, but it is. A long commute can have a negative impact on your quality of life and your work-life balance. Would you need to relocate? Is the job close to things that are important to you—family and friends, good restaurants, the beach, the mountains, a major city with nightlife? The location of your job probably won’t change, so if there’s something about it that you don’t love, like a lengthy, grueling daily commute, you might want to reconsider.
Do you fit the company culture? 
The culture within the organization is another thing that probably won’t change while you’re there, so decide for certain whether or not it’s a good fit for you. Do they have a mission statement and values that you can buy into? Do other employees seem committed to those values? Find out how formal the dress code is, whether employees are expected to work overtime or on weekends, and how collaboratively or independently people work. Check out the physical space—does it seem cheery and energizing, where people can be their authentic selves?
Will there be job security?
Consider how stable the company is. Is the industry itself growing or contracting? How effective is the company’s leadership? Do they seem passionate and open-minded? All those factors will determine how safe your job would be in the near future.
For tips on finding a job that’s a great fit for you, check out our website at https://www.chiefofstaffkc.com.
Blog written by Erin Greenhalgh