As you navigate the interview process in today’s competitive job market, you may be laser-focused on selling yourself. But keep in mind that interviews still go both ways! Salary requirements and good benefits are always important, yet other factors can add more to your long-term job satisfaction.
The best employers value their employees by investing in their futures and celebrating their wins. So how can you spot a workplace that puts people first before you’ve accepted the offer? Look for these four things:
- Learning Opportunities
A whopping 94% of employees say they would stay at a company longer if it simply offered continued learning opportunities, according to LinkedIn’s 2019 Workforce Learning Report. Training used to mean night school or pricey conferences. Now an employer can provide online training that suits your schedule.
To-do: When you interview with a supervisor, ask about future learning opportunities. You’ll see if they expect to invest in your brain; they’ll see that you mean business.
- Appreciation
At Paycom, we regularly show appreciation to our employees because we know they’re the reason for our success. From quarterly employee gifts to anniversary flowers, we celebrate our employees all year long. Publicly appreciating individuals and the unique value they add to their companies feels good to those who get noticed and to those who elevate their peers.
To-do: If you get the chance to interview with future co-workers, ask what makes them feel appreciated at work. You could ask specifically about employee recognition programs and public appreciation.
- Generosity
What is offered to employees just to make them happy? Free coffee, snacks, Friday breakfast and other benefits can elevate your quality of life at work and at home. Little freebies add up fast for employers and they don’t contribute directly to the bottom line. That means when a company invests in an on-site meditation garden, walking trail or quarterly gift, it really is a way of saying, “We care about you and want you to stick around.”
To-do: During interviews or office tours, keep your eyes and ears open for hints of those little things that make a big difference.
- Spirit
Team spirit is the name of the game to connect with co-workers. For Paycom’s recruiting team, quarterly kickoffs have become bonding events, with remote staff flying in from different cities to meet in person. Now those meetings are happening via video conference, along with virtual fireside chats, happy hours and video conferencing competitions.
To-do: Check LinkedIn to research your potential boss and teammates at the company you’re exploring to familiarize yourself with their history. (Showing that you care about those personal details can score you major points in an interview.)
Paycom is always finding new ways to invest in and celebrate our people. Want to join our team? Apply now at paycom.com.
