Job searching is no easy task. Whether it is navigating your first big step into the world of work or if it’s changing your career, there are a lot of things to consider. Here are 10 questions you should ask yourself before you interview for a job.
1. Will I be happy to wake up and go to work everyday?
People always say, if you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work. Well, that statement holds a lot of water. I know many people who have been in their careers for 20-30 years and still love doing what they do. When you’re happy to get up and go to work, it’ll never feel like you’ve worked a day in your life. So take the time to think about the job you’re interviewing for and if it truly has the potential to make you happy.
2. Is this a place where I can begin building a career or is it a temporary solution?
You need to know before your job interview if you plan on this job being a part of a career move or if it is just a temporary fix to pay the bills. It’s important to know the answer to this before you interview so that you know what you expect to get out of the working experience.
3. Will the job be enough to pay my living expenses?
Even if the job seems absolutely perfect, you should always look into about how much you can expect to make – especially if it is an entry level job. It’s important to get some kind of an idea of the salary range (if they don’t post it with the job posting there are a few websites, like Glassdoor, that you can check out) so that you know what you will be bringing in. You need to make sure that you make enough money to cover your living expenses with a little added breathing room.
If it doesn’t look like you will be able to do that with the job you’re interviewing for but your heart is set on it, then consider picking up a second job somewhere to make sure you can make ends meet. It’s no fun to have to leave a job simply because you are living outside of your means.
4. Is this a company I can build a future with?
If the job interview goes well and you get the job with this company, is it a place where you can grow in your career? This is important to think about because being able to grow in the company gives you goals to strive for while you’re working.
If you get a job where no growth is available, it might hinder how hard you’re willing to work. But knowing that there’s something to continue to strive for will help you continue to push yourself.
5. Is this a company I believe in?
You also need to know if you believe in what the company does and whether or not you can stand behind it. Check out their website or research reviews from workers online (you can usually find this simply by searching the company name and reviews). Going into a job interview knowing that you are shooting for a company that you believe in will give you extra drive during the interview process. Also, being extra educated because of your research will impress your potential employers.
6. Are the hours what I’m looking for?
This is an important question because the hours you work will determine the lifestyle you live. Are you willing to work a job where you have to get up at 3:30 am to be at work by 5 am? Or are you willing to work nights or weekends? Make sure you think about what lifestyle you are willing to live for this job. If you aren’t happy about the life you’d have to live in order to work the job, chances are you won’t be happy working, and then your work will suffer.
7. Is the commute worth it?
Depending on where you live and where you are trying to work, the commute may be a major pain. You might be commuting over an hour just to get there and an hour to get back home. You have to know if that’s a sacrifice you’re willing to make. If it’s your dream job or a great foot in the door to getting started in your ideal career, then the commute may not matter to you at all. But it’s still a question worth pondering.
8. Am I ready for the job?
Sometimes, you can be offered a job that you may not be ready for and then you end up way in over your head. So before you go in for a job interview, think about all the responsibilities that will come with the job. Are you feeling overwhelmed already? Then you may not be ready for it.
However, if the responsibilities excite you, then you may be ready to dive right in! But it’s important to think about it so that you know what you’re getting yourself into before you even walk through the doors.
9. What are the benefits?
Many times when employers post a job, they will post what benefits come along with it. If they don’t, then try to do a little research because it may be posted on their website or on company review sites. As boring as it might sound, it is important to think about 401k opportunities and health insurance. Especially with insurance, since it is becoming expensive and companies are changing what type of insurance they carry- it might be important to you to know what they offer. Single coverage? Family? It’s a daily expense so it’s important to think about what you need a company to offer you for benefits.
10. Will I be proud of myself?
If you get this job, will you be proud of yourself? Proud of where you work? Will you be excited to share your news with family, friends, and on all of your social media sites? If the answer is no, that’s not a good sign. But if the answer is yes, then you can bet you’ll be happy in the position. Being proud of yourself and accomplishing the task of landing this job is important, you want to feel good about yourself and what you do.
Many people spend more time working than they do at home so it’s important to make sure before you even go in for a job interview that you’ve thought through the decision. You want to make sure that you’re as ready as you can be, so that if the job is offered to you, you’re confident in your choice.
It doesn’t take a long time to think about these 10 questions, but they can help prevent you from making a huge mistake as you job search. Or, if nothing else, they can help to prepare you and give you the confidence you need before the interview. Happy job hunting!
