The act of finding a job can be very difficult. You will need to find which businesses are hiring, and what positions they are hiring for. Depending on the job, you may not have the proper certifications, be the right age, or have enough experience to be hired. And that's ok!

Every time you apply for a job, you gain valuable experience and knowledge that can be used in the future. On this page, we will discuss what to look for in a job, and what some of the most important criteria are to consider when looking for a job.

5 things to consider when looking for a job

1. Location

Where is this job located in relation to you? Is it right down the street? Or is it an hour away? When applying for your first job, you must consider how long the commute is going to be before you apply/accept any position that may be too far away. You also need to consider how you are going to get there. Are you planning to walk to work? Ride a bike? Take the bus? Drive?  Have your parents or a friend drive you? Keep these questions in mind as you apply to businesses.

2. Room for growth

Some jobs offer the ability to grow from within the company. Others you may have to put in a great deal of time before you are able to get the exact position you want (i.e. working your way up from cashier to manager). It is important to consider how much you see yourself growing with the company. Determine how long you plan to stay with the company and where you would like to end up. Discussing this path with your future employer could potentially set you on the right path to achieve your goals!

3. Skills Learned

What is it you want to learn while working? Is there a skill set you hope to develop while on the job? Future employers love to see what skills employees have to offer, and many of these can be picked up as you gain experience from the various positions you hold. 

These skills can range from:

• Money management
• Customer service
• The ability to speak multiple languages (bi-lingual)
• Management/Leadership Experience
• Communication
• Problem solving skills
• Computer literacy
• Creativity
• Public Speaking
• Adaptability
• Decision making

Take this list into consideration as to some of the skills you may want to learn/already have. These could prove useful in the future as you apply to various different positions!

4. Compensation (pay)

One of the most commonly asked questions asked with any new job, how much money do I make? The federal minimum wage in the United States is $7.25 per hour. Depending on where you work, and what skills you already have, you may be able to negotiate a rate that is higher than this.

Keep in mind that if you are applying for your first job, you may not qualify for a higher rate of pay

Pay can be a major factor when determining where you want to work, and some businesses naturally pay higher than the minimum wage. Take into account what your job responsibilities are, and determine if the pay is worth the time and energy spent doing the work. 

NOTE: Certain businesses such as restaurants sometimes have rates of pay that are lower that the minimum wage. This is because jobs such as hosting and waiting tables are compensated through tips and gratuity. 

5. Happiness

There is a saying that goes "Do a job that you love, and you will never work a day in your life". Finding a job that you love that also pays well can be a rarity in the working world nowadays, and sometimes you have to sacrifice one for another. It is important to consider this balance when looking for a job, as your dream job may not be something that necessarily pays the most money.

On the other hand, you may find yourself in a position that you don't enjoy doing that pays very well. Happiness is a major driving factor for a great deal of people in the work place. Enjoying your work can completely change your outlook of a company, and create a positive work environment for you, your co-workers, and the people that you provide a service for.