a Flo + a Blog = a Flog

We are going through hard economic time, but sometime opportunities or will to change can bring a situation where you will have to evaluate your situation to find out which one is preferable.

I have tried to compile all the criteria that you would think about and evaluate in order to assess positions.

Pay/Salary
This is obviously the most common but I really think it should not be depending on your lifestyle and age – young people indeed more incomes than older one. You will find this criterion important if you have to pay your studies, debts or even if you are trying to buy a first home.

Over Time and Workload
Knowing the salary pay tag, one will want to understand how many hours of work are included. How many hours a week will you have to work in order to earn this amount? Also you want to know when O.T. kicks in, if you are entitled to any. The point here, no one should be a work slave. You may want to think of it as some sort of salary aka earning / sanity ratio. Earning a lot of money is yet important, but your sanity is even more.

Incentives
Along with the regular salary a company will pay you, one needs to look at all the other things that the company may (or may mot) pay for you. Those includes things such as: Cellphone, car, Internet, work from home

Bonus
Most of the private companies offer some kind of bonus. You want to know how it is calculated. Goal based? Fix?

Benefits
It is hard to find out during the hiring process but it is the source of a few legitimate questions to your future employer. As an employee you should already know what is covered. Here are some points one should inquire about:

• Regular coverage, you know the regular medical expenses as an individual
• Spouse/Family coverage, will they cover your family?
• Dental, those can be expensive
• Eyes
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment, a nice to have

Holidays
Everyone needs a break. Along with regular “paid” days off, you should find out how many floaters you will get – days you can use during the year anytime. Also you need to find out the sick day policy, while you are not planning to be sick for a long time, you will want to know how they can be used.

Pension
RSSP does not suffice if you are just a middle class worker. Check out what rate is your company contributing to your retirement. It is nice to have a company who matches your contribution. Of course, you want to find out the percentage of contribution as well.

Commuting Time
Commuting takes time and can be tiring. Depending on the length and comfort of your ride, commuting can be useful and pleasant. You could spend some time reading or playing mind games. Obviously it is not a good idea if you are driving. If possible chose a job to where commuting takes less than 1 hour and more than 20-30 minutes so it provides a break from work. This criterion should be included for your sanity ratio.

Workplace
While it is hard to find out at first. You may want to have a tour of the workplace. Check for social things like: kitchen, agora and even a gym. Also be sure to find out the amount of light present in the office…winter can be hard on you sometime. It is all about working a la google or cubicle rat. Reports publicly visible should give you an idea if your company is a probable great workplace.

Coworkers
Well you know what you lose but never what you will gain. This is the very same with your coworkers. It is hard to know with whom you will be stuck with. From the interview, maybe trying to talk to current employees, you will want to subtly find you about the ambiance and probably about your future boss!

Reasons for this job
Not the reason for you doing this job but the reason of existence of this very position. Is this a new position? Taking over someone else? you may want to find why the previous person left or why a new position is created.

Company’s Health
This is the hardest thing to evaluate, unless you are a senior psychic analyst. It could be based on how the company’s stock is doing. But yet in economicaly difficult period it is hard to understand. However the help of search engine and other social networking (facebook, linked…) you should find some articles and feedback about the company.