Which is more important when looking for a job, great pay or great benefits?
Which is more important when looking for a job, great pay or great benefits? With today’s economy, you may be thinking “any job” would do. However, looking long term, when one wants to be truly happy in a job, which is most important?
In the years since I graduated from college, my take on what is most important in a job has evolved. In the beginning, I was happy to have a regular full time paycheck. Then I realized, that paycheck right out of college didn’t go as far as I had hoped. My benefits were expensive and the paycheck was minimal. I then started to climb that corporate ladder and ended up working for a large Fortune 500 company. The pay was great, the benefits were amazing; but the toll that the position took on my family time wasn’t worth it. It took me almost two years to get back to a position that was local (very important with kids) and that had a good balance of pay and benefits. I have learned that without a company’s support of work life balance (which very often shows in their benefits package), it is very hard to enjoy the higher than average paycheck.
In talking with Shelly Farmer, HR Manager for Community Health and Counseling Services, it is abundantly clear that they offer an amazing benefits package. They recognize 12 holidays (as well as two half day holidays – Christmas Eve and New Years Eve), a very generous vacation package and an insurance option that is at no cost to the employee. In looking through their benefits, I also see that they have a retirement plan as well. A close friend of mine works at CHCS and despite having to have numerous weeks off due her battle with breast cancer, she hasn’t missed a single day of pay. CHCS allows their employees to accumulate sick time year to year and then allows the employees to donate their sick time to fellow employees who are in need of more days. This friend of mine is also a single mother; and to have her pay uninterrupted during her treatments for breast cancer has allowed her to fight her disease without the worry of losing pay. Now THAT is an amazing benefit!
So, when you are interviewing, listen closely when the talk of the company’s benefits come up. If nothing about the benefits is mentioned, it is reasonable to ask what the benefits are when the interview turns to your turn to ask questions. It is also reasonable to ask for a copy of the benefits when offered a position, before giving your answer of accepting the position or not. If you do your research beforehand, most company’s have their benefits listed right on their website and you can ask clarifying questions at the end of your interview. I remember the day that the almighty dollar was all that I was personally looking for. However, now I can honestly say that I wouldn’t trade a job that pays my bills, allows work-life balance and gives peace of mind in it’s benefits package for anything!
