{"id":8377,"date":"2022-06-06T05:57:29","date_gmt":"2022-06-06T12:57:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/?p=8377"},"modified":"2022-06-06T05:57:29","modified_gmt":"2022-06-06T12:57:29","slug":"theres-more-to-a-first-job-than-the-salary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/theres-more-to-a-first-job-than-the-salary\/","title":{"rendered":"There\u2019s More to a First Job Than the Salary"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you\u2019re fresh out of college, it\u2019s common to get distracted by the huge monthly pay and hourly rates. If you crack this interview, you wouldn\u2019t have to worry for the rest of your life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_50 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\" role=\"button\"><label for=\"item-69ef2095c08bf\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span style=\"display: flex;align-items: center;width: 35px;height: 30px;justify-content: center;direction:ltr;\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/label><input  type=\"checkbox\" id=\"item-69ef2095c08bf\"><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/theres-more-to-a-first-job-than-the-salary\/#Things_to_Consider_While_Looking_for_a_Job\" title=\"Things to Consider While Looking for a Job\">Things to Consider While Looking for a Job<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/theres-more-to-a-first-job-than-the-salary\/#1_What%E2%80%99s_the_scope_of_opportunity\" title=\"1. What\u2019s the scope of opportunity?\u00a0\">1. What\u2019s the scope of opportunity?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/theres-more-to-a-first-job-than-the-salary\/#2_Work-life_balance\" title=\"2. Work-life balance\">2. Work-life balance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/theres-more-to-a-first-job-than-the-salary\/#3_What%E2%80%99s_the_career_trajectory\" title=\"3. What\u2019s the career trajectory?\u00a0\">3. What\u2019s the career trajectory?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/theres-more-to-a-first-job-than-the-salary\/#4_The_company_structure\" title=\"4. The company structure\">4. The company structure<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/theres-more-to-a-first-job-than-the-salary\/#5_What_about_the_fringe_benefits\" title=\"5. What about the fringe benefits?\">5. What about the fringe benefits?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/theres-more-to-a-first-job-than-the-salary\/#Final_Thoughts\" title=\"Final Thoughts\">Final Thoughts<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/theres-more-to-a-first-job-than-the-salary\/#About_the_Author\" title=\"About the Author\">About the Author<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, that\u2019s an absurd idea. While money can buy happiness, it can\u2019t do so at the cost of your mental health. If you get a job with a high salary but find yourself facing a lack of opportunities or difficult office culture, you\u2019ll likely <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/fortune.com\/2022\/05\/04\/new-hires-start-job-searching-again-within-three-months\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">find yourself looking for a job soon<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> after.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Isn\u2019t it better to find the right job from the start\u2013 at least one you would happily stick to for a year? Knowing what to consider other than the salary will also help you narrow down jobs on the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">job boards<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Things_to_Consider_While_Looking_for_a_Job\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Things to Consider While Looking for a Job<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_What%E2%80%99s_the_scope_of_opportunity\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. What\u2019s the scope of opportunity?\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The starting salary itself isn\u2019t as important as your potential to earn. Look for jobs where you have the opportunity to test yourself and be rewarded accordingly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some companies have bonuses or raise lined up if you meet certain goals. You should have a clear idea of what metrics the company focuses on to determine high performance. If you can meet those, a lower starting salary doesn\u2019t matter. You will be getting way more in your bank account when you meet those metrics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Work-life_balance\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Work-life balance<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suppose you go for a job with a high starting salary. Perhaps you\u2019re lucky enough to find one where the base salary and potential rewards are amazing. However, is it a company where you can strike a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/community.movnorth.com\/t\/work-life-balance-canada-vs-us\/5780\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">work-life balance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? Is it possible you will be required to work so much that you have to let go of important personal relationships?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the management doing to make your personal life easier? Do they have a hybrid working option? Is remote work a possibility? If it is, you also save gas by not having to commute, which you should consider in the package. Do you log in by the hours, or is the focus on getting the job done?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A high salary with a bad life balance will quickly drain any energy you have towards your job.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_What%E2%80%99s_the_career_trajectory\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. What\u2019s the career trajectory?\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have to consider beyond the first year for the company. Is there a roadmap as to how to get to a senior position? Does the company provide a training program? Try and connect with people from the company you\u2019re considering on LinkedIn. Ask them about the culture and their own<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.co.in\/books?hl=en&amp;lr=&amp;id=NGQA5OFHNbkC&amp;oi=fnd&amp;pg=PR7&amp;dq=career&amp;ots=jI7m4S_IMR&amp;sig=oPIBAc9m809IbP7VZ_2nubAWDqo&amp;redir_esc=y#v=onepage&amp;q=career&amp;f=false\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> career trajectory<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the company.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It would be a good idea to contact someone who left the company. They\u2019re likely to be more honest about it. If it looks like most employees have a short lifespan there, well, you know this isn\u2019t the one.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_The_company_structure\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. The company structure<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the organizational structure of the company? Is it <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s100510050929\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hierarchical or horizontal<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? Which one would work for you?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want more creative input and a chance to branch out, you would prefer a company with a horizontal style. If you feel more comfortable with proper structure and a clear understanding of who to turn to in a crisis, you will feel better with hierarchy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, what about the managers and your teammates? Are the hiring managers kind when talking about their employees? Ask the person who would be in charge of you about the leadership style. What do they envision for the company? What are their values? Do they come off as sincere and honest? Because these good habits will be passed on to the rest of your colleagues.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_What_about_the_fringe_benefits\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. What about the fringe benefits?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do they give health insurance? Are there scheduled vacations and Christmas gifts and parties you get invited to but can turn down with no pressure?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look for things about the company that make it clear they care about their employees. You won\u2019t be happy long somewhere they don\u2019t.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_Thoughts\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Final Thoughts<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For your first job out of college, try to find something you can see yourself doing a couple of years down the line. You will end up switching jobs at one point, but don\u2019t let it be in the first 6 months. Growing with an organization can add to valuable life experiences and opportunities you would never have otherwise.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"About_the_Author\"><\/span><strong><em>About the Author<\/em><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BCjobs.ca<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is Western Canada\u2019s largest job board, with the majority of the jobs coming from Vancouver. For nearly 20 years, BC Jobs has connected job candidates with companies looking to add talent to their teams. If your team is looking to recruit, BCJobs.ca is the right tool for you. Our job board has grown through virtual career fairs, branding, and partnerships. Contact us at community@bcjobs.ca today.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you\u2019re fresh out of college, it\u2019s common to get distracted by the huge monthly pay and hourly rates. If you crack this interview, you wouldn\u2019t have to worry for the rest of your life.\u00a0 However, that\u2019s an absurd idea. While money can buy happiness, it can\u2019t do so at the cost of your mental [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":109,"featured_media":8387,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[15,152,16],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8377"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/109"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8377"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8377\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8389,"href":"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8377\/revisions\/8389"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8387"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8377"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8377"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8377"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}