Everyone knows that you need money to survive in this world. This is probably why competitive pay is one of the first things people look out for when hunting for a new job. However, a job is so much more than a money-making opportunity; It’s also a place to meet new people, develop your skills, boost your self-confidence, and generally increase your happiness. This is why it’s vital that you take other aspects of a position into consideration before you accept it. To ensure that you’ll be happy in your new job, here are five things to look out for.

1. Passion

If you want to determine how happy you’re going to be in a new job, then the first thing that you need to do is take a look at yourself. Passion is vital when it comes to work, because, without it, you’ll have no motivation to get anything done. This means that you won’t have the opportunity to grow, and will instead, remain in a job that you’ve got lukewarm feelings about. Before accepting a position, decide whether it or your new company fills you with this necessary passion.

2. Benefits

Your salary is only part of the compensation that you receive for the work that you do. There is also paid time off, health insurance, retirement contributions, and bonuses to consider. Before you sign your contract, make sure that you ask your potential employer about all of these benefits. You may find that, while the pay is fair, the benefits are almost non-existent. If this is the case, then you could try to negotiate with your potential employer to get something better.

3. Growth Opportunities

You may like the position that you’re applying for, but it’s unlikely that you want to stick with it forever. Because of this, you should speak to your potential employer about opportunities to grow and develop new skills within the business. For example, if you’re working within construction, it’s important to know whether the company covers forklift drivers training or if this is something you’ll have to arrange. This also shows that you’re looking to stay at the company long-term.

4. Hours

These days, not every job is nine to five, so it’s essential that you discuss your working hours before you accept a position. Of course, it’s important that you know when you’ll be starting each day, but you should also ask how often you’ll be expected to work overtime, as this affects your family, as well as yourself. If you’re going to be working hours that are different to your previous job, then you need to have a long think about how this change could impact your life and family.   

Almost everyone in the world needs to work to pay their bills, but that doesn’t mean that your job should be all about the money that you earn. Your happiness is also important, so, before you accept a new position, make sure that you properly consider the areas mentioned above.