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It is a good time to look for a new job. There are more open positions than job hunters. Employers are scrambling to fill head counts and retain the workers they have, and prospective hires are now in positions where they can afford to be morechoosy.
A candidate’s market is truly a candidate’s market.
There are 22 side jobs that can make you richer than a full time job.
Younger workers in particular are finding that the supposedly greener pastures weren’t what they expected when they jump ship into the “Great Resignation.”
According to a recent survey by The Muse, a majority of job seekers feel that a new job is very different from what they thought.
They may be a part of the problem. Short-staffed themselves and desperate to fill vacancies, proper due diligence may be giving way to a crisis approach of hire.
It can be hard to get a sense of what a job is really like, as it has become more common than ever to sign on for a job without ever stepping foot in a company’s office or meeting anyone face to face. According to Dr. Shonna Waters, vice president of strategic alliances and partnerships for BetterUp, remote work creates a void of office culture that has serious consequences for an employee’s sense of well-being.
It’s more difficult to form a sense of belonging with co-workers and fully participate in company culture with the rise of remote work.
The impact of the culture on the day-to-day experience shouldn’t be underestimated, as it represents the shared values, attitudes, behaviors and standards that make up a work environment
According to BetterUp’s recent report, “Connection Crisis: Why Community Matters in the New World of Work,” 42% of employees say their organization isn’t doing enough to help them feel a sense of connection. They found that employees who have few friends at work are more likely to look for a job outside of their organization.
That is a big problem, and perhaps a reason why we are seeing the workforce exploring new employment opportunities at high rates.
How can a jobseeker be prepared for that surprise and regret? In an interview, experts say the questions you ask are key. Good questions can help you stand out from the crowd and give you a signal as to whether or not you will really be happy.
Our experts suggest four questions you should ask.
1. What Kind of Financial Wellness Benefits Do You Offer?
The director of investing for Betterment at Work says it’s important for job seekers to consider the value of the job beyond the salary or signing bonus
She said to pay attention to the financial wellness benefits in your compensation package.
Their matching contribution to your 401(k), any wellness stipends, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts and employer-sponsored emergency funds are included.
Yu says it is worth asking about student loan management solutions for recent graduates and younger workers. Financial and debt repayment advice can be offered by some employers, as well as contributions to student loan matching programs.
While they might seem like a small amount compared to the salary, these benefits can’t be underestimated when people are considering setting themselves up for long-term financial success
2. What Does Your Company Do To Foster Belonging?
A culture of connection will make your work experience better. According to Waters, high rates of belonging have been linked to higher job performance, increased ability to innovate, and improved mental health.
Isolation at work is likely to lead to stress, anxiety, and depression.
It is important for job seekers to hear from the people they are interviewing with that the company is flexible in workers’ specific needs as realistic as possible, and that team leaders are creating space for employee connections and that there’s a plan to immerse new hires in this
3. How Will My Success Be Measured?
Waters says it is important for employees to understand how they are evaluated and rewarded in order to make sure their expectations are clear and reasonable.
Questions like, “What do you expect the person in this role to accomplish in their first 90 days?” could be related. They will expect you to be results-oriented and this shows that.
Candidates might ask the interviewers what their most successful employees do.
Waters said that this will show the hiring manager that you are thinking outside of the box, but also give them a sense of what qualities they value and ultimately reward.
4. What Are You Excited To Be Working on Right Now?
To get past the carefully crafted job description and lists of benefits, seeking out personal anecdotes from your interviewer is a good way to get a better sense of what the day-to-day might really be like. She suggests asking about the management style of the team in order to find out if it meshes with the way you like to work.
According to Waters, many employees value health and wellbeing over financial compensation, so candidates may want to make sure the work environment, expectations and benefits are a good fit for their priorities in life.
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