Finding the Best Fit: 5 Things to Look for in a Workplace

two middle aged business women with their team at a seminar
08/04/2015
When you’re job searching, it can be very easy to think “as long as I can do the work, I'll take any job offer.” Yet, many people don’t take into account how the work environment can impact their overall job satisfaction. Knowing what you expect from a company and in a workplace can help you evaluate if a position will ultimately be a good fit.
To get you started, here are five things to look for:
    1. Acknowledgment of employee achievements. When you perform a task above expectations or complete it before the deadline, how does the company recognize it? If you collaborate with someone from another department, does the company have a way for you to publicly show your appreciation? Receiving recognition when credit is due can help you stay motivated and engaged in your job.
    2. Acknowledgment of employee achievements. When you perform a task above expectations or complete it before the deadline, how does the company recognize it? If you collaborate with someone from another department, does the company have a way for you to publicly show your appreciation? Receiving recognition when credit is due can help you stay motivated and engaged in your job.
    3. Investment in employee professional growth and training. Most people in the workforce want to continuously be advancing their career. Even if you don’t want to hold a formal leadership position, you'll likely still want to take on more responsibilities and challenges over time. When interviewing, ask questions about formal and informal training programs that can help prepare you for more difficult assignments. If you are interested in a more formal leadership position, you may want to learn whether the company typically promotes from within.
    4. Investment in employee professional growth and training. Most people in the workforce want to continuously be advancing their career. Even if you don’t want to hold a formal leadership position, you'll likely still want to take on more responsibilities and challenges over time. When interviewing, ask questions about formal and informal training programs that can help prepare you for more difficult assignments. If you are interested in a more formal leadership position, you may want to learn whether the company typically promotes from within.
    5. Involvement in the community. Does the company encourage employees to give back to the communities in which they live and work? How does the company support and recognize employees who volunteer? Community involvement is a great way for employees to get to know each other and build company spirit. If you have pride in what the company and its employees are doing in the community, it can build camaraderie among co-workers and a sense of satisfaction in your work.
    6. Involvement in the community. Does the company encourage employees to give back to the communities in which they live and work? How does the company support and recognize employees who volunteer? Community involvement is a great way for employees to get to know each other and build company spirit. If you have pride in what the company and its employees are doing in the community, it can build camaraderie among co-workers and a sense of satisfaction in your work.
    7. Ability to give feedback. Can your voice be heard? If you notice an issue in your department, is there a way to communicate your ideas and implement solutions to the problem? Knowing a company has ways for employees to bring forth new ideas can help you feel more valued as an employee and improve your job satisfaction.
    8. Ability to give feedback. Can your voice be heard? If you notice an issue in your department, is there a way to communicate your ideas and implement solutions to the problem? Knowing a company has ways for employees to bring forth new ideas can help you feel more valued as an employee and improve your job satisfaction.
    9. Friendly and respectful co-workers. Having friendly co-workers can go a long way to help you feel more welcome in a workplace. Do you need to hang out on the weekends or be best friends? Not necessarily, but knowing that there are people you can easily go to with questions can help you be more comfortable in your role. Developing friendly, respectful relationships at work can be an important factor in helping you feel satisfied at your job.
    10. Friendly and respectful co-workers. Having friendly co-workers can go a long way to help you feel more welcome in a workplace. Do you need to hang out on the weekends or be best friends? Not necessarily, but knowing that there are people you can easily go to with questions can help you be more comfortable in your role. Developing friendly, respectful relationships at work can be an important factor in helping you feel satisfied at your job.
Keep these qualities in mind when conducting your job search to help you find a workplace that is the best fit for you.