With lots of opportunities out there in a strong market, what makes a good company to work for?
The usual answer: short hours and a decent salary.
Back in reality, we all have our own tastes and preferences when it comes to the kind of place we want to work. But as you’re exploring potential roles for yourself it can be hard to know where to focus your attention.
To get you started, here are four key areas to consider.
1. FLEXIBILITY
A large percentage of candidates would turn down a job that didn’t offer flexible working for one that did. But flexibility isn’t just about letting people chose their hours or work from home.
Often, a great-sounding company will build flexibility into your contract from the start. However, that flexibility soon disappears once you’re on the inside – suddenly the ‘flexible’ arrangements you agreed to become remarkably rigid.
As a result, it’s important to consider the big picture on flexibility – not just what you can get now, but how you can retain your flexibility long term.
2. CULTURE
Every business comes with its own culture and set of values, whether they’ve spent the money to define and record them or not. It’s there in the attitudes of the people they employ, as well as the beliefs and personality of the business itself.
These are all things that are hard to pin down from the outside looking in and, often, companies put their best foot forward when they’re recruiting. Here, taking an active role in an interview and trying to speak to existing team members can be invaluable.
3. RECOGNITION
Companies that recognise the achievements of their employees are where people want to go – and stay, businesses with a high ‘recognition culture’ have lower staff turnover.
In part, this recognition can come in the form of financial incentives and performance-based rewards. But even something as simple as leaderboards can make you feel like your efforts are being seen.
4.DEVELOPMENT
If you’re anything like me, it’s not what a job can offer right now – it’s what it looks like in 5/10 years time.
The challenge for candidates is that finding a great company to work for is part research, part predicting the future. What seems wonderful today might be irrelevant tomorrow.
That’s why training and developing new skills is so important it’s one of few ways that companies can encourage progression, bring variety to roles and keep people engaged and happy in the workplace.
Flexibility, a good culture and recognition are all things that employees need to be satisfied. But development, change and growth are more – they’re the things that humans need to thrive.
For professional, experienced advice on your next role you can trust the advice and opinions of Eventus Recruitment group with many years experience to make your next job move the best decision.