7 Things to Check Before You Apply for Another Job

Looking for a new job can seem like an exciting activity, but it also comes with its share of stress, especially when you’ve applied to plenty of positions before without hearing back from employers.

Before you apply for another job, take some time to check yourself over, and make sure you’re ready to go to the interview ready to impress potential employers.

Here are 7 things you should check before you apply to see if it’s the right opportunity or if there might be other companies that would better suit your needs.

1) How much are they paying?

This is probably obvious, but one of your first questions as a candidate should be about compensation. What are they paying? Can you afford to take a new position without burning your savings and investments?

It becomes even more important if you have significant student loans to pay back or dependents to support.

Discuss what you’re earning now and how much more you’d like to earn. If it’s a lower number than your current earnings, be honest about why you want to take a pay cut. It can help persuade an employer that you’re motivated by career growth and don’t just want a larger paycheck.

If it turns out that they offer significantly less than your current income, see if some other perks or benefits make up for it. Remember: money isn’t everything. A better work-life balance might be worth a smaller salary.

2) Is the role the one that you would enjoy?

One of the first things to do before you apply for any job is make sure it’s a role you would enjoy. If you are passionate about what you do and have a decent work/life balance, it will be easier to continue doing your best at work.

If you don’t like what you do daily, why waste time applying for roles that don’t suit your skills?

Make sure that every application meets these criteria, and only spend time on applications where there is some fit between you and the role.

Find out if you need to have experience in any areas or if they can train you in those areas. Again, it would be best if you took some time to consider each skill's importance and how close your experience level is to what they are looking for.

Note why they’re hiring a new employee, which role they want to be filled, and what skills they need.

3) Does this role represent a promotion?

If you’re looking for a promotion, ensure you fully understand it. Ideally, it would help if you asked your current manager or consulted with someone else in your company who holds that role. This will give you a more accurate understanding of what’s required and how your performance will be measured.

The same goes if you’re looking to move into a new role entirely; ask yourself whether it involves new responsibilities or skills that are very different from what you currently do.

For example, it might not be a great fit if you’re applying for a job as an HR manager but have never worked in HR before. It doesn't mean you can’t learn how to do the job, but being aware of these differences upfront is important so that you don’t set yourself up for failure.

4) Do you really want to move away?

What if you get a job in a different location? Are you willing to relocate?

Some things are more important than money. Be sure you're making a move because it’s what you want, not just because you need more money.

Think about how far away you’ll be from your friends and family; examine any negative effects your new location might have on your social life and overall happiness.

If you still feel certain that moving is right for you, talk with your family about why you want to make a change and listen carefully to their feedback (even if it hurts).

Make sure they understand your reasoning so that they can support you through an exciting but stressful time.

Don't forget to consider whether or not you’ll like where you end up living. So research where you plan to relocate and check out photos of nearby neighborhoods online.

Consider renting in your target area for a few months before signing anything long-term; it will give you a chance to get comfortable with your neighborhood and your new job.

5) Have you done your research on the company/industry?

You must understand what your future employer does and why they do it. By researching your company’s past successes and failures, strengths and weaknesses, you will better identify if this is a good fit.

You don’t want to spend weeks working hard toward a promotion only to realize down the road that it’s not worth it. So always do your homework first.

The more research you can do before applying for another job, the better you will be at success. This can mean everything from knowing how many employees work at your potential new place of employment to identifying problems with management style or office politics.

For example, an applicant may be fully qualified in their skill set but not as comfortable with some of their co-workers; therefore, it may not be a good idea to accept a position where there could be personality clashes.

Additionally, research your prospective employer on Leadar; it has a huge database and should provide basic information on them, so you know what to expect.

And if all else fails, keep in mind: no matter how perfect a new opportunity may seem at first glance, nothing is guaranteed; make sure you like where you’re headed before making any big decisions.

6) Could you see yourself as part of this organization long-term?

At first glance, applying for every role you’re even remotely qualified for is tempting. But before you begin your application process, consider whether or not you could see yourself working there long-term.

Remember: if you don’t believe in what they do and how they do it, it will be hard to stay motivated and committed over time. This is particularly true if you’re applying for roles at larger companies with a large bureaucracy; they can often be hard places to work in terms of culture and hierarchy.

If you don’t feel there would be room for advancement or professional development within a year or two, then perhaps pass on applying for that job.

7) What do people who have previously worked there say about it?

Always ask around and see what people say about working there. If past employees aren’t willing to share their experiences with you, how will they be helpful once you start?

This research can also help weed out companies that are going through restructuring, aren’t hiring, or have gone under.

Asking current and former employees is fine as long as you keep in mind that they may not be aware of recent changes.

Final Thoughts

It’s never too late to change jobs. But before you do, ensure you’re not making any mistakes.
When you’re looking to move on to the next big thing in your career, it can be helpful to do your research into the company where you hope to work next.

You might be wondering what they’re like as an employer, how big they are, and what their business goals are right now, or you may want to know who you’ll be working with and how much room there is for growth and promotion.

Take a step back and check all the right boxes; you may just find a solution that will pave your path to fulfillment in your career.