Most people work for about 48hours a week on average. That means if you work from age 20 to 60, you will have worked about 90,000 hours before retirement. If you die at 70, (it’s less likely you will get there if you work in a toxic environment) you will have spent about 346,800 hours doing other things including sleeping. Where is this headed?

Here is the point…

You will spend most of your life working. So it is very important to determine the kind of working environment you want to invest your time in. Your job has the power to determine how happy and satisfied you feel with your life. So, let’s look at the factors you should consider before accepting those job offers.

1. Compensation

Yes, you were right this was going to be the first point. But how much in terms of compensation should you consider?

Well… everything!

A good job should be able to cater to your daily expenses. It doesn’t matter if you are straight from school or a seasoned professional. Why would anyone sleep hungry while still on a payroll? All right it could be for other reasons, but may it never be because your payslip cannot feed you.

Basic needs sorted? Check. Now, can you cater for other responsibilities including your dependents on that payslip? Is there a possibility for future increment? Are there other benefits like health insurance? Because hospital bills are damn expensive.

And when all that is satisfied, you should be able to afford some movie tickets.

Next, please…

2. Nature of your work

This should be the number one determinant of whether you should take that job or leave it. Think about the risks involved. Some jobs need you to be prepared to die on the line of duty.  Others expose you to harmful chemicals and hazardous, life-threatening substances. You might as well end up working for companies carrying out illegal businesses. So, how comfortable would you feel in that situation?

You should pay great attention to your job description and be strong enough to ask for clarity during the recruitment process. The world has seen it all. Someone can hire you to be a track driver, only for you to find yourself trafficking humans.

That is not meant to scare you but hey… Trust your guts. If you don’t feel comfortable drop it like it’s hot.

3. Potential for growth

One of the things to note as you seek a job is that there are companies that will offer you lots of money but they have nothing else to offer apart from that. And you should keep off such places if you are the kind of person that yawns for career growth and development. This is something crucial for graduates and young employees. A good job should offer training to enhance your skill, and new responsibilities to challenge your abilities.

One sure way to tell if a job has growth potential is by taking a closer look at the previous staff and the existing ones. Where did they start? How far have they gone since joining the company? Are there any that have joined other companies for more superior positions? These are great pointers.

Resist taking up jobs that are not growing you career-wise.

4. Impact on your personal life

Finding a job is good but it’s also good to have a very clear understanding of what the job demands from you. The working hours might be longer than you would want to offer.

That leaves you with no time for family or to go mingle if you are not married. Hello…

Some job locations might be far from home. That means you have to stay away from your family or commute long distances to get to work each day. You should consider if that is something you would work with. Some companies will offer you contracts for a specific period with no leave days. They will even demand that you work on some weekends. That means you will most likely suffer burnouts and fatigue. 

If you feel that is not something that will work for you, whether you will be compensated or not, the most reasonable answer is a big no thank you!

5. Your boss and their style of leadership

There is a common saying, people quit bosses they don’t quit jobs. A good boss is approachable; he listens and pays attention to his employees. He/she pays people on time and exercises fairness.  But don’t forget your boss could be all that, and still not be your best fit. This is because you might be the kind of person who likes being in control of things.

A boss who lets you handle things would be a perfect fit for you. If you like to keep seeking direction and approvals, a controlling boss might be your match.

You should do a background check with people who have worked there before or the present staff. This will help you to know what kind of bosses you have. And as much as that may not be possible before you sign your contract, you still have your probation period to decide if the job is right for you or not.

Bottom-line

 A man who lacks a sense of direction will go anywhere. It’s hard to leave a job than it is to say no before taking it up. So don’t waste any time on what does not satisfy you. Take a seat and do your calculations carefully. Make sure the compensation offered for your services can cater to your expenses. Consider the risks involved and what impact they will have on your life before taking up the task. Consider who your bosses are and their leadership styles Toxic working environments will destroy you more than build you.

Learn to say no and hope for better opportunities despite your situation, but…

Most importantly be a good employee yourself and offer value when you finally say yes.