According to SEEK, national job ads were up 15.5% last month on the previous year, while ABS data reveals they were 107.4% higher than they were pre pandemic in February 2020. The ongoing high level of vacancies gives job seekers a greater advantage in where they choose to work, so it's important that job seekers carefully evaluate what they want from their next job. 

There are several factors you should consider when looking for a new employer, so that the role suits your values, personality, and career goals. To determine if the role is the right professional fit for you, here are some things to keep in mind. 

Company culture 

This can be hard to judge before you start at a company, however there are still factors you may want to consider. Would you prefer working in a small or large company?  What is the dress code? What does the office workspace look like? 

During the job interview, don't be afraid to respectfully ask questions that might help you determine the organisation’s culture. Instead of asking straight up what the culture is like, you may want to ask more specific questions such as: 

• What is the best part about working here? 
• How does the organisation recognise employees and their success? 
• How does the organisation support an employee's professional development? 
• What kind of flexible work arrangements do employees have? 
• How are meetings typically handled? 
• How is conflict and direct feedback handled? 

This can give you a good indication of what it will be like to work at the company. 

Company values and purpose 

If a company’s values are important to you, then research the potential employer by looking at their company website, social media pages, or external news articles, to learn about their values, beliefs and purpose. Do they value the community or work with any charitable organisations? Are they concerned with creating a diverse and inclusive work environment? 

Compare the company’s values, mission or strategy statement and business model to see if they align to your own values and career objectives. If you can’t find much information online, then you can ask these questions in the interview stage. Having values or goals that align with your employer’s can give you a sense of purpose and greater satisfaction in your work. 

Opportunities for career growth 

Jobs that provide opportunities for career growth are important, especially in the early stages of your career where you are looking to advance into more senior positions. It can be helpful to ask the interviewer to describe the typical career path for your job to help you identify if there is career growth to be had at the company. 

Also check if the company offers any training, education or learning and development opportunities, as developing new skills can be beneficial for career growth at any stage of your career. 

Job location  

A HILDA Survey shows that Australians spend on average 4.5 hours a week, or just below one hour per workday, travelling to and from work. So, when considering the length of your workday, you should think about the time it will take you to commute, even if you only need to go into the office two or three days a week. Commuting can add a large amount of time and stress to your workday, and those who spend a long time commuting are more likely to be dissatisfied with their job overall. Commuting can also have an impact financially with the cost of petrol or on-site paid parking. 

For many who are working remotely now, it is also important to understand the team structure. For example, if you work remotely and the rest of the team is located near the office and works mainly on-site, how will that impact your ability to perform or progress in your job? 

Asking more questions about where the team is based, how they collaborate or whether remote work is common in the organisation will help you understand this better.