A good salary can make almost anyone happy. You’re able to pay your bills and have a roof over your head—what more could you ask for?
Well, maybe a little health insurance for starters.
One of the most important aspects of any job is the money you make, so many people forget to consider the other perks (or drawbacks) that come with where you work. Here are some other perks to consider when looking for a job that are just as important as that almighty paycheck.
Health Benefits
If you enjoy not dying of treatable diseases, health insurance is a must-have. Plus, you’ll be penalized if you don’t have it—which means less money to spend from that all-important salary. Some employers offer health insurance through your job, and it's often much cheaper than if you were to purchase it individually. If a potential employer is unable (or, let's be honest, unwilling) to offer you health insurance, that's probably a red flag to take your job search elsewhere.
Paid Time Off
What happens when you get sick, or you have something you really need to do in the middle of the day?
If you work for a company without paid time off, probably not much.
Balancing your work and personal life can help you be happier at work, improve your overall health, and decrease the chance of burnout. But all of that is next to impossible if you're worried about making ends meet because time off is eating into your paycheck. Even if you're not a big vacation person, you still should find a company with a PTO policy because everyone needs a break once in a while.
401(k) Plan
Your retirement is probably decades away, but you should be thinking about it now. A 401(k) can give you a sizeable nest-egg, so that you don’t run out of money and have a tight budget when you’re ready to retire on the island in Fiji.
Not every 401(k) plan is the same, and each has differing waiting periods, vesting, automatic enrollment, and employer contributions. Some workplaces match your contributions 100% up to a certain amount, while others have a cap on how much you can actually put into your 401(k) for the year.
Regardless of a company's particular 401(k) configurations, saving for the future is a must when working out your financial priorities.
Performance Bonuses
Everyone likes to get a pat on the back for doing a great job, but there are better ways to reward employees than unsolicited physical contact. Good companies offer performance bonuses for workers that go above and beyond. In some cases, a performance bonus is barely enough to cover a fun Saturday night, but sometimes it can be high enough to cover your car payments or other bills.
Flexible Scheduling
Unless you work a job that requires face-to-face communication on a regular basis, you may have the ability to work from home or follow non-traditional hours. So, if you're a night owl that gets your best work done at 2 AM rather than 1 PM, flexible scheduling can be a real bonus. Whatever your reason for wanting to avoid the 9 to 5 grind, a job that allows you to work on your own time gives you the chance to work more efficiently.
Maternity and Paternity Leave
Thinking into the future as far as kids may be impossible for you to imagine right now, but maternity and paternity leave are important, even if you plan on being childless for the time being. A newborn requires a lot of attention, and being there for the first few weeks enables the parents to bond and give the baby the love it needs. From your end, a generous parental leave plan means your childbearing co-workers are home long enough with their kids to return to work refreshed and ready to be productive.