Page 335 - Keys To Community College Success

WORK IT Build Your Brand

Be Specific About Your Job Needs

21st Century Learning Building Blocks
■ Business literacy
■ Initiative and self-direction

As you consider specific job directions and opportunities, begin thinking about a variety of
job-related factors that may affect your job experience and personal life. These factors include
the following:
■ Benefits, including health insurance, vacation, 401(k)
■ Integrity of company (its reputation)
■ How the company deals with employees
■ Promotion prospects (your chances for advancement)
■ Job stability
■ Training and educational opportunities (Does the company offer in-house training or fund
job-related coursework?)
■ Starting salary
■ Quality of employees and physical environment
■ Quality of management
■ Nature of the work you will be doing (Will you be required to travel extensively? Will you be
expected to work long hours? Will you be working in an office or in the field?)
■ Your relationship with the company (Will you be a full-time or part-time employee or an
independent contractor?)
■ Job title
■ Location of your primary workplace Managing Money
■ Company size
■ Company’s financial performance over time

Think about how important each factor is in your job choice. Then list them separately, giving
each a rating on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the least important and 10 being the most impor-
tant. Keep in mind that even if you consider something very important, you may not get it right
away if you are just beginning your career.
Finally, consider the results of a survey of college students conducted by the National Association
of Colleges and Employers. According to students, their top two reasons for choosing an employer
are integrity of organization in its dealings with employees as number one and job stability as
number two. How do these top choices compare to your own? 20

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