A job search is challenging for many different reasons, but one you might not think about too often is the challenge of weighing different options. But to ensure that you are setting yourself up for long-term success in a new position, it’s worth weighing the various pros and cons of each offer before you make a decision. A common comparison is culture and pay. Every company you work for will offer a unique culture in which you will be expected to work. This can impact your overall effectiveness and happiness on the job, so be mindful of how that culture will influence your decision making.

On the other hand, pay is an important factor too of course. Your starting rate can make one offer distinctly more attractive than another, but also consider long terms trends of pay growth within the company you are considering. If they are offering you a nice onboarding package but the company is unlikely to promote from within, you can be setting yourself up for future frustrations. All these decisions can help you better understand what will and what won’t make you happy and content in a job for the long term, so consider all angles carefully before making a selection.

But there’s more to culture and pay that will influence your success within a new role. Here are a few additional elements of a job that can help you decide which job will be the better fit.

COMMUTE

How long it takes you to get to/from work every day can have a very real impact in your overall happiness within a role. If you find yourself frustrated to sit in traffic for long periods of time, a long commute may be a good reason to not take a certain job. It can mean less time with family, and more money spent on transportation expenses. So, take everything into account when evaluating whether it’s the job for you. Keep in mind that if a long commute does make a job less attractive to you, it’s worth talking to the hiring manager about remote options if it makes sense for the role. Even for those with a long commute, a day or two working from home can make a big difference.

TRAVEL

Many jobs these days do require travel. Make sure you know what you’re signing up for before accepting an offer. Whether you will be required to get yourself from point a to point b, or if the company will be footing the bill, large amounts of travel can be a challenge for some employees, particularly those with families at home. On the other hand, if you love to travel such a job might seem like more of an exciting adventure than a burden. Ask the question and weigh the value for yourself.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Mentorship and professional learning opportunities hold a great deal of value for employees looking to advance their career. Many companies do invest heavily in the development of their staff, so if you are interested in growing internally, a job with a mentorship program and a strong L&D department (learning and development) might speak to you more than opportunities with less focus on professional growth. Again, weigh the advantages and your preferences carefully, and pick the one which is most meaningful to you.

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For more ideas on how to pick the best job for yourself, connect with a career advisor at US PRO today or explore these open positions.