Looking for a Job? It's Not All About the Money, Honey

When searching for a job, most of us are primarily motivated by money. If the salary is right, we figure everything else will fall into place and often enough, it does. But there are many other factors to consider. Having spent nearly 30 years in cubicles from New York to Philadelphia, I can tell you that while salary is important, it should never be the sole factor in deciding whether to accept a job offer.

A job is sort of like a marriage. You're courted, everyone is on his or her best behavior at the outset and you are showered with promises galore. You're falling in love and decide to make the commitment. You sign on the dotted line, confident you've made the right choice and will live happily ever after -- at least between the hours of 9 and 5 -- and sometimes you do... but when you don't, you can end up with that general feeling of unhappiness where it's not so horrible that you're ready to bolt, but there's no compelling reason to stay either.

Aside from attaining your desired compensation, some other factors to consider are ambiance, personalities, the neighborhood, and even the temperature of the office. Yes, I said temperature and I don't mean that esoterically. I mean, when you go in for your interview, is the office chilly? Do you wish you could keep your coat on during the meeting? Are the administrative assistants wearing 'office' sweaters (the kind that are a bit worn and don't really match anything you own, so you keep them to wear in the office)? Think about whether you might be uncomfortable sitting in your cubicle with a vent above blowing cold air, and whether you have enough office sweaters for the duration. If it's summertime, is the office warm and stuffy? In a business casual environment, you might be able to go sleeveless (IF you're a woman. I beg of you, no matter how casual the office, please don't do this if you're male!)

Is the office well lit and inviting? Are coworkers talking amiably in the halls or is it as quiet as a library? Is your interviewer friendly and welcoming or stiff and all business? Remember, you're going to have to interact with this person every day. I was once interviewed by a woman who was pleasant enough but had a bit of a Dragon Lady vibe. Shortly after I was hired, I discovered that she was former military and ran the office like a drill sargent. Within a few months, the workers could no longer stand it and complained to her superior. A bloodless coup ensued and she was stripped of her supervisory duties. Her resentment was palpable. She made everyone so uncomfortable with her icy stares and sullen behavior that staff members went out of their way to avoid dealing with her. More things to consider: Is the company located in an area where there are clean and affordable places to have lunch or is there a company cafeteria? Does it look as if everyone uses the cafeteria or just the lower-level employees? Do you have an hour for lunch or a half hour? I made the mistake of accepting a position in a location where there were only fast food establishments nearby, no shopping area, and I was only allotted 30 minutes for lunch. I'd have to walk for blocks to find anything interesting and then I had to hustle to get back on time.

Most of this information can be ascertained by just opening your eyes and ears and paying attention. For the rest of it, you might rely on information volunteered by a friendly receptionist. Or, if you're called in for a second interview, you're likely to be asked, "Now that we've explained the position, do you have any questions?" Most candidates take this time to ask about the benefits or merit increase structure. Fine, but you might also say, "I was just wondering about the day-to-day aspects of working here. Are there any good places to have lunch nearby? Do most employees go out or stay in?" This will give you some idea of whether or not the employees have to travel so far to find a meal that they prefer to stay in, or the culture is so work-oriented and rigid that employees don't dare leave their desks for any length of time.

It's a known fact that we spend more waking hours with our coworkers than we do with the ones we love. On sitcoms like The Mary Tyler Moore Show where everyone held a genuine affection for one another, that can be great.... But life is not a sitcom. You're just as likely to land in a working atmosphere where your boss is incompetent and your coworkers are scheming behind your back a la The Office. Not so funny when it mirrors your place of employment, is it?

Whether you're a new grad or a downsized employee trying to get back into the workplace, being unemployed for a time can leave you feeling panicky, worrying about that next mortgage or rent payment. That's legitimate, but look before you leap! Like a marriage, you can't be one hundred percent sure of what you're getting into until well after the honeymoon. It might turn out to be something wonderful. Then again, there might have been red flags and warning signs all over the place that you purposely ignored. Pay attention and look for them. If you're going to spend the bulk of your time in the same place every day with the same people, you want to make the best possible choice.