Is balancing work and personal life one your priorities when looking for a new job? It can be hard to figure out what to look for when balance is a priority. Here’s some tips to help you find the trade-offs that will give you the life that you want.
Figure out your non-negotiables
If there are absolute items you don’t want to compromise on, figure them out first. It will make it easier for you to eliminate jobs that don’t suit your needs. For example, if a long commute is out of the question, you can refine your search by distance, eliminating the temptation to apply to jobs that are too far away. If it is a deal-breaker, take them out of the running at the beginning.
Time
One of the most obvious ways to achieve balance with work is to assess the demands on your time. Time is more than just hours listed in the job description, but the entire amount of time work impacts your life. Take a closer look at the amount of time you’ll spend on your commute for example, or if the company includes vacation and personal days as part of their compensation package.
Aside from the amount of time the employer expects you to be in the office, find out if the job will include travel or work on projects outside of the workplace. Especially for salaried positions it is important to uncover the full scope of demands on your time and find the work-to-reward ratio that makes sense for you.
Work Environment
A hidden way that work can impact the balance you want in your life, is your ability to leave work behind when you are taking time for yourself and for family. If you can, talk to someone that works for the company and ask what they think of working there. Feeling satisfied with your job and your work environment at the end of the day can help you leave work at the office and increase the quality of the time you have in your personal life. Evaluate the physical space as well.
Check the potential surroundings by considering the mood and well-being of the people that work there. If the employer cares to make the work location pleasant and uplifting, it speaks well for the care that they show for their employees’ state of mind.
Professional Development
Check the job posting or company careers page to find out if they invest in your professional development during work hours. If the employer pays for additional training and/or provides you with time during your work week for it, that saves you the time and money you would have had to invest on your own. Especially early in your career or during a career change, this benefit can have a huge impact on your wallet and your watch.
Benefits
Many companies today offer wellness programs and other unique benefits that can increase your quality of life in and outside of work. Check for employers that boast their fringe benefits such as paid childcare, retirement fund matching, gym memberships, and wellness incentives. Employers that invest in your well-being can greatly impact your life in both the short-term and long-term.
Salary
Lastly, when considering the ways that a job impacts your life, it is important to remember to factor in salary. If an employer is willing to pay you well for your time, you might be able to offset costs that are necessary but not a high priority for you to complete personally. With a wide variety of services available today from house cleaning, to laundry services, all the way to pet daycare centers, there are many ways to free up your time outside of work if your salary will allow it.