Find the right job for you by following these steps
With the UK economy expected to increase by 1.8% this year, and new ventures like FinTech and InsurTech exploding in size over recent months, there are plenty of opportunities for the discerning job-seeker to take advantage of. The number of senior-level and partner hires across the market increasing, as companies grapple with each other for market dominance and try to expand their businesses into new areas, whilst demand for legal talent is at an all-time high; consequently, it can be tempting for candidates to accept the offer of a large paycheck from the first firm that offers it.
However, there are other factors you should be considering first. A job is more than just a place you go, and a series of tasks you do between nine and five: it’s also the place where you could spend up to 47 years- and of that, around 9,000 hours of unpaid overtime. It’s a place where you can make lifelong friends, get involved, develop your career- and ultimately if you’re not happy there, then you’re going to have trouble staying motivated.
With studies showing that 68% of employees saying that their business isn’t doing enough to create a positive work culture because of poor cultural fit, it’s worth taking the time to make sure that the role you’re choosing really is the right option for you.
Here are some steps you should be taking before you say yes.
Grill your Recruiter
Recruiters can be an invaluable resource when it comes to finding the perfect job, especially at senior level- for more information on just how useful they can be, check out our blog here. Recruitment agencies are becoming an increasingly popular way for companies to find their next star hire- especially for senior-level partners in General Insurance or Financial Services. With access to a plethora of jobs and an expert knowledge of the market, they’re much more likely to find you a job that suits your personality and goals.
However, it’s also worth taking the time to properly interrogate your Recruiter, especially when they’re putting forward job opportunities to you. What’s the company like? Do they have a good company culture? What would your team be like? Your Recruiter should be your first port of call, and if they can’t answer the questions the chances are the company hasn’t provided enough information, or that the Recruiter doesn’t understand the firm; either way, the signs aren’t good.
Do your research
It goes without saying, but if you know the company that you’ll be applying to, then it makes sense to do as much research as possible. Find the company on social media: for instance, LinkedIn and Twitter. Are their pages professional, and fully completed? What do they say about the company?
Take a look at their employee reviews on sites like Glassdoor and Indeed, too: they can be a goldmine of information and offer a real insight into what life is really like at your prospective organisation- especially as 69% of people are more likely to apply to a job if an employer actively manages its employer brand. If you have connections on LinkedIn that work there, message them and ask them what it’s like. Compare what’s being said about the company with what you can see from its website and social media pages: does this sound like somewhere you want to work, and can see yourself spending years at?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions
The interview process isn’t just where prospective employees decide whether or not they like you; it’s also a place where you can decide whether the job and company is one that you’d like or not. Take the time to ask your interviewer the questions you’re still unsure about, whether it’s the company culture, the onboarding process or the opportunities they have for career development. After all, it’s your job and this is your best opportunity to gain a rounded picture of your potential workplace.
Pick your benefits
Employee benefits are fast becoming a hot topic of conversation in recruitment circles, with firms across the market turning to an ever-growing package of employee benefits to attract, engage and retain their staff. Law companies are starting to recognise the stress that many Lawyers face as part of their job, and are working to mitigate it: Pinsent Masons, for instance, offers a range of benefits based on three pillars: personal, social and financial, whilst Herbert Smith Freehills offers a network of mental health mentors who can provide support and advice to staff.
Flexibility is also becoming a priority, with up to46% of financial services firms providing flexible benefits to staff, and legal firms like Farrer&Co are now starting to implement flexible working policies that are spreading throughout the market. Equally, Hogan Lovells’ UK branch offers a huge range of employee benefits to its staff, spanning everything from a gym membership to dental insurance.
Finding the right employee benefits package for you should therefore be of utmost priority. Whether it’s flexible working, health insurance or discounted gym memberships, decide what’s important to you, and check what benefits the company offers before you accept a job offer with them: given that employees who are satisfied with their benefits are almost four times more likely to be satisfied with their jobs, it’s an important thing to get right.
Find the right fit
What’s the company culture at your new workplace like? Having a culture that suits you can make all the difference. Whether it’s open leadership or values that chime with yours, like CSAA Insurance Group, who changed their entire company culture and developed a workforce ethic based around innovation and rewarding their employees. As both employees and employers become increasingly aware of the importance of company culture when it comes to happiness at work, it’s vital to evaluate the way in which your workplace runs before making the jump and accepting a job offer.
Look further with IDEX
At IDEX Consulting, we take the time to match talented candidates to job opportunities that we feel will be the perfect fit for them. Browse our selection of vacancies, or discover more market insights in our Knowledge Centre.
