Job hunting? 5 things to look for in your next role

Job-seekers are becoming far more discerning than they used to be – and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. After all, we spend a third of our lives at work and if you apply for a job, you want to make sure the workplace is one you’d be happy in.

Here are five things that may result in you feeling happy at work and more inclined to stay in a job, according to our 2022 Feel Good Index Report.

1: There’s a collaborative company culture

Lots of companies claim to be collaborative, but what is true collaboration? It’s not just the occasional once-a-month meeting where you’re asked to all bring your ideas to the table and have a brainstorm.

True collaboration is actually built into the culture of the business, and is part of the workflow and processes employees follow every day. The leadership and management consider it a vital part of communication and innovation – so employees are aware of their purpose and feel like their voices and opinions matter.

2. Employees can work autonomously

A good workplace can turn toxic fast with a micromanager at the helm – and it can affect your mental health, too. So looking for companies that are big on autonomy and trust their workers to just get on with the task at hand. It certainly doesn’t happen at every company!

If you make it to interview stage, you’ll definitely want to ask questions around how employees work. Are they able to finish tasks within their own time, use procedures in a way that works for them, and have the autonomy to structure their day effectively? Does the company value creative thinking and an engaged, happy workforce? If yes, those are all good signs.

3. The company leadership is positive

Working under good, positive leadership was the number one priority for employees who responded to our 2022 Feel Good Index Report survey. And for good reason! Leadership can make or break your team, lead to poor retention and a miserable workforce.

The right kind of leadership is focussed on being collaborative, consulting regularly with teams, helping individuals reach their full potential and being flexible. Good leaders are dedicated to creating positive and empowering working environments, building the strengths of their team members and recognising their achievements.

4. The company offers learning and development

Companies that invest in their employees and offers structured, relevant learning and development (L&D) are considered far more attractive to job-seekers, according to our findings. Often there’ll be a budget for individual training or the company may offer customised skills training, corporate university options, leadership development programs or other forms of training to ensure employees can develop or hone in-demand skills.

L&D benefits the company – which will have a skilled, capable and knowledgeable workforce that drives higher performance. But it also helps employees future-proof their careers and feel secure about their career pathways and career progression.

5. The company cares about employee wellbeing

If the company you’re applying to makes worker wellbeing a priority, that’s great. And we’re not talking about perks – in fact, our research found perks are way down the priority list for job-seekers who are looking for a new role. So what does workplace wellbeing look like in action?

Well, it’s about offering work/life balance to employees, and understanding that they have a life outside of work. It might be a company that’s flexible about scheduling shifts, offers mental health support or free counselling sessions, financial wellbeing programs or extra paid parental leave. Or it might be a company that offers structured wellness programs or subsidised gym memberships. If the company is big on wellness and walks the talk, it could be somewhere you’d be very happy to work.

Want to know what else leads to happiness at work

Download our 2022 Frontline Feel Good Index Report for a heap of stats and intel. It’ll also help you figure out what’s important when applying for your next role.