The salary of a job offer is usually the most eye catching, persuasive element in a person’s decision to accept a job offer. More recently, there has been a shift in what drives employee happiness and productivity. Money is no longer the sole motivator of employees and companies are starting to observe this shift in the trends.

Work-life balance is on the radar a new point of importance when deciding if a job is a good fit for you. You will be spending around 40 hours per week on this job, or, depending on your work ethic, upwards of 60 to 80 hours per week. You need to make sure that you find the optimal balance between work and your personal time to keep stress levels low and to enjoy life as well as the money you’re working so hard for. Keep in mind that this “balance” is a very personal decision. It’s not a one-size-fits-all concept, and nobody should dictate what your balance should look like.

Corporate culture and overall happiness is a growing concern as people recognize that the environments in which they work as well as the professional relationships that they develop in the workplace are important. We are spending more and more time in the office with our coworkers and the more enjoyable and harmonious that these relationships are, the more likely we’ll be happier at work and with our employer.

Most of employees view their employment moves as “stepping stones” to a greater end-goal. Does the position that you’re considering offer opportunity for growth, greater responsibilities, and more challenges and stimulation? Will your role help you develop the skillset and knowledge base that you’re pursuing on your career journey? Do you have the chance to foster a mentor-mentee relationship and experience a higher level of professional growth? Determine how important this is to you, and then figure out your growth potential within your role and within the company.

At the end of the day, regardless of what others say, salary matters. It will always be an important component of deciding whether the job offer is an attractive one, but it isn’t the only point off of which to base your future career path. The job you accept should be one that you’re excited to get out of bed for every morning, one that will make every effort to accommodate your work-life balance goals, and it should be with a company that you’re proud to work for.[/fusion_text][/one_full]