Should I Work Here?
Lately many of my former students have been contacting me about job opportunities. I am thrilled they are seeking employment and happy to learn there are so many job openings. They have been detailing the job for me and then asking my advice about whether or not they should take the position. It’s a tough call and I often don’t give an opinion one way or another. After all, I am only being presented with one side of things. That being said, I remind my former students about what we discussed in the interview/job opportunity lecture.
A good fit is imperative. Meaning you should like the place you are working. You should like the people, the surroundings, the way it feels and smells. You should meet with the person you will be reporting to and get a vibe. If the fit doesn’t seem right, no amount of pay will make it a good job. You must feel good about it and the fit must be good.
Pay is of course important. I have seen compensation from 30% to 70%. It depends on many factors. I can never advise someone on this but I do recommend that personal needs and finances be taken into consideration. Also factor in taxes and consider that 30% will come off the top for taxes. Meaning, if you are making $30 per hour for a massage, about $20 of it will really go in your pocket. Can you live on that? Depending on where in the country you live and what your financial needs are, the answer may be yes.
More important than the actual pay per hour is how you are valued for your services. That is often tied to a number as well. So ask yourself, if I make $40 per hour, will I feel valued? Or if I make 50% of a massage, will I feel valued?
A good fit, pay rate and ultimately, value are my top check points when considering a job opportunity. Talk to the staff there and see how they feel about their jobs. Chances are it’s a good benchmark.
Stay focused.