Tell me if this sounds familiar. Feeling unfilled at your current job, you decide to look for greener pastures. Eventually, a different company catches your eye. They seem interesting and offer a good salary and benefits. So, you decide to make the switch.
At first, it’s exciting working for your new company. But soon things start to change. The work begins to feel stale. The company doesn’t feel as vibrant as it once did. And before you know it, you’re looking for another job.
It doesn’t have to be this way—there is a company out there that will make you give up your wandering ways. To find it, though, you start by knowing what to look for in a company. And spoiler alert: it’s not just about salary.
3 important things to look for in a workplace
1. A company that values development
As human beings, we have an innate desire to grow. So, it should come as no surprise that one of the most important things to look for in a job are opportunities to develop.
If you don’t want to feel stuck in a few years’ time, look for tangible signs that development is a priority (and not just a buzzword). You can usually find development success stories on the company’s content hub or their Glassdoor and Indeed reviews. Another option is to ask the recruiter about the development programs their company offers.
2. A company whose values mirror your own
Every company has a set of values. If those values line up with your own, you’ll feel good about helping the company succeed. However, incongruent values might cause friction. That’s why one of the qualities to look for in an employer are values that align with yours.
Take time to learn what makes the employer tick. For example, Progressive’s Five Core Values are at the heart of who we are as a company and drive the decisions we make. If these values are a match, then Progressive might be a great fit for you.
3. A company that has a strong culture
The average person will spend a third of their life at work. Who wants to spend that kind of time in a crummy work environment?
It’s not hard to find out about a company’s workplace culture these days. Whether it’s online or in-person, people are always willing to share their experiences. Look for these telltale signs of a healthy company culture: collaboration, respect, recognition, and (of course) fun.
No company is perfect. And you often get out of a company what you put into it. But searching for employers with these qualities could increase your odds of finding a company you can commit to for the long haul.
Not sure what a culture like that looks like? Check out Progressive’s culture. We might be biased, but we think it’s pretty amazing.
