If you’re searching for a new social care career, you need to start a shopping list.
Not the milk, eggs, bread and bottle of Prosecco kind but a list of job priorities.
It’s so easy to be wowed by an attractive salary and fancy pants job title that sometimes other important aspects of a role are forgotten: friendly colleagues, learning new skills, a nice boss.
Trouble is, sometimes we don’t really get a feel for these until six months into the job.
So before you start searching s1jobs for your next social care post, draw up your career shopping list to compare personal priorities and potential compromises.
This way when you spot something on s1jobs, you can see at a glance whether it’s a perfect match.
Detailed descriptions
Hopefully the vacancy matches your skills and abilities but does it look like a care role you’ll enjoy? Ask yourself if you’re attracted to it because it looks shiny and new or because it’s something you’ll really like.
There’s a temptation to romanticise a potential new job – it’s a bit like hitting it off on a first date – but consider your potential relationship with your job in a year’s time. Will it still be all hearts and flowers?
Huge titles
This can be hugely influential when it comes to choosing. There’s very little difference between the actual jobs of a care worker, care assistant, care practitioner, or care facilitator but the titles differ.
Ask yourself if the title really matters or is it the substance of the job that’s key.
Long distances
How far are you prepared to travel? An hour’s commute might seem manageable in the summer but imagine doing it in the middle of winter. Will your working hours make catching a bus or train home difficult? Cause childcare issues?
Getting a good work-life balance is vital for job satisfaction.
Big numbers
We know salary is one of the most important deciders when it comes to a new job but don’t fall into a job simply because it pays well. Set your salary parameters with an upper ceiling and lower limit.
Little perks
Let’s face it, you’re unlikely to get snooze pods in the social care sector but you might get a canteen, free fruit or tea and coffee. On their own they’re unlikely to be the clincher when deciding on a job but they’re often representative of a company’s ethos and how well they treat their staff.
Shop around for the latest Social Care vacancies on s1jobs.