Tips asking getting time off work

Tips asking getting time off work

At the end of May, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that it would officially recognize “burnout” as a medical diagnosis. WHO defines burnout as “chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed,” which can manifest as “feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and reduced professional efficacy.”

Taking time off from work is one of the best ways to prevent burnout or recharge after a particularly strenuous stretch of time. Research indicates that taking a vacation yields numerous benefits such as reduced stress, a lower risk of heart disease, and increased productivity.

But before you can envision yourself sipping margaritas on a beach (or just staying in to binge watch Game of Thrones all over again), you will need to have your time off approved by your employer first. Asking for time off from work can be scary, especially as a new hire, but there are ways to make the process as easy as possible. Here are a few basic do’s and don’ts to remember when asking for time off.

Do understand your company’s vacation policy.

Some companies separate vacation time from sick days, while other companies lump them together as “paid time off” (PTO). Some organizations may not allow employees to use PTO during their training or introductory period (which could last six months or more), and vacation days are usually “accrued” over time (such as one per pay period). Most companies give each employee a certain number of days off, but others offer unlimited vacation benefits.

Before requesting time off, familiarize yourself with your company’s vacation policy. If you’re ever unsure, request a copy from HR. Keep in mind that your company will likely have separate policies for longer periods of absence, such as disability, maternity/paternity leave, or leaves of absence for health-related conditions.

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Don’t wait until the last minute to request time off.

Courtesy matters. Don’t tell your supervisor on Friday afternoon that you will be out of the office the following week for a last-minute trip to Disney World. Many companies will request a certain amount of advance notice. In general, the earlier the better, especially during peak times like the winter holidays.

Do submit a formal request, in writing, for time off after speaking with your supervisor.

It’s always a good idea to mention intended vacation time in person, such as in a one-on-one meeting with your supervisor. But you should also send an email to your supervisor so there’s a paper trail of your request. Follow up by submitting any required paperwork through HR, and put your vacation days on your department’s calendar after receiving approval.

Don’t fake illness just to get a few days off.

Honesty is always the way to go, especially when you know which days you want to take off. You may also need those sick days later, so stick with vacation days and floating holidays when you submit your time off request.

Do schedule your time off at an opportune time for the company, when possible.

Some requests for time off require a specific date, like attending a wedding or a funeral. Others, such as a week-long vacation in the Bahamas, have a bit more wiggle room. After you’ve been at a job for a while, you will have an idea of the cadence of the work. When are the busy periods? When does work slow down? Are you in a role in which vacation time is not permitted in the last two weeks before the fiscal year ends? When in doubt, speak with your supervisor or HR and plan any vacations during a slower period. An added benefit to this is that you will not have missed as much in your absence or be as stressed upon your return.

Don’t leave all your work behind for your coworkers to pick up.

Be diligent in completing your work before you leave. If a few ongoing tasks need to be covered by a coworker, inform that coworker in advance and provide written instructions. In turn, be a good sport when your coworkers ask the same favor of you during their time off.

Do inform the hiring manager of previously scheduled vacation days before accepting a new job.

Suppose you are interviewing for a new job, but your sister’s wedding is taking place a month after your intended start date. When you get to the final interview or have received an offer, let the hiring manager know about the days you will need to be out of the office. This will give the new company enough time to plan for your brief absence, before you even start.

Don’t let your vacation days expire — they’re there for a reason.

Americans rarely use all of their vacation days. In 2018, Glassdoor found that Americans typically sacrifice about half of their earned vacation time, even though time off is essential for maintaining positive health and avoiding burnout. Remember that using your vacation days is nothing to feel guilt or shame about. With proper planning and honest conversation with your employer, you can use your time off in ways that are beneficial for you and for them, as well.

Looking for more career advice? Subscribe to the Scouted newsletter.

Janine Perri is a freelance writer and marketing professional based in New York. She has experience writing about topics in business, marketing, technology, education, travel, and language services. She has also taught English in South Korea as the recipient of a Fulbright scholarship.

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Provide job references email template

You gave a great cover letter and resume, nailed the interview, and even sent a thank you note. Before you get the job, though, there’s just one more important factor.

Your references.

Many job seekers have a lot of questions about the best way to provide a job reference. Some people are intimidated at the prospect of asking someone to be their reference. Others aren’t sure who to ask.

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here’s what you need to know about references to land that next job.

When to Provide a Reference

For most jobs, a reference is a crucial aspect of the vetting process. For some, though, it’s not incredibly important, and they’re not very interested in checking references. Because you can’t be sure which one the job you’re looking for will be, have your references ready in case they ask.

A good general rule is to have your references printed out to bring to your job interview. Of course, if your potential employer asks for your references before that (say, in your application), you should supply it at that time.

Since the hiring process can go fast, have your references in line right away when you apply for the job. Don’t wait for a potential employer to ask for it to start putting it together. Instead, follow our guide to getting killer references below.

How to Get Great References

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Make a List of Potential References

The first step in getting the right references for a job is deciding who to put down. Make sure that your recommendations are a good fit for the job that you’re applying for and that you had a good working relationship with in the past. If there’s a supervisor you butted heads with in the past, then you may want to choose another leader in that organization.

Some good people to ask for a recommendation include supervisors, colleagues, and workers that you’ve supervised. You can even ask someone you’ve had a working relationship with in the past, such as clients, business contacts or vendors. Anyone that can speak to your professional qualifications can potentially make a good reference.

A little lacking in work history? If you’re new to the job market and don’t have professional recommendations, you still have options. Character references from teachers or professors, volunteer leaders, or another leader in your life could help fill in the gap.

You will need three references, but have more lined up in case someone can’t provide one for you.

Also read: Tips For Choosing Your Job References

Ask Politely

Ask for a reference.

Always, always, always.

Don’t leave your reference in the dark and let them be blindsided by a phone call or email by your prospective job. They could be caught off-guard and not give you the glowing recommendation you need.

You may be tempted to blast off a generic email to all of your prospective references, but keep it personal. You’re asking for a favor, and you want them to be enthusiastic. A generic and bland email won’t accomplish that for you.

Make sure that you make it easy for them to refuse. You want a friendly reference, not a hesitant one. A hiring manager can sense a lack of enthusiasm from your references, so make sure you only get people who genuinely want to provide it for you.

Also, remind them of your accomplishments. It may have been a while since they’ve worked with you and you may have more achievements that you would like them to know. Jog their memory by sending a short resume to help them speak better of you.

Here’s a good example of an email asking for a reference:

Dear [REFERENCE NAME]-

I hope you’re doing well. I can’t believe it’s been three years since we worked at [FORMER COMPANY] together! I learned so much from you and have such great memories from our time working together.

I have been working at [CURRENT COMPANY} for the past two years and have decided that I am ready to handle some new challenges. I’ve begun to search for a Managing Director role and hope to relocate later this year. I was thinking about who would be a great reference for me and felt that you would be one.

I recall our time working together on [SPECIFIC PROJECT] and I thought that given the role that I am searching for, you would be a great person to speak to my qualities as a leader and dedicated worker. A positive review from you would be a great help in my job search prospects.

Do you have time in the upcoming weeks so serve as a reference for me? I would be happy to send you my resume and the job description to give you an update on my experience and the type of position I’m seeking.

Thank you for considering this. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any question or need any additional information from me.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

[YOUR NAME]

[YOUR NUMBER]

Write Your References

When it comes to creating your reference sheet, keep it simple and clear-cut. Keep the same font and format as your resume and cover letter to make it easy to read.

For each reference, provide their name, title, organization, phone number, email, and a sentence briefly explaining your working relationship with them.

For example:

Jane Smith

Manager

ABC Company

555-555-5555

j.smith@xyz.com

Jane was my direct manager for three years, during which we worked on five major product launches.

Send a Thank You

Keep a good relationship with your references by sending them a thank you note or email right away. Besides the fact that they’re doing you a favor, you never know when you might need a reference again. A little bit of gratitude can go a long way to ensure you have a great recommendation in the future.

Let them know every time you’re submitting their name. If they agree once and get a call about you months later, they may no longer be prepared to speak to your accomplishments.

Also, reach out to them to let them know the outcome of the job search and when you get a new job. Everyone loves great news, and your reference can feel good knowing they helped you land a great job.

Also read: How to Write a Thank You or Follow Up Email After an Interview

Get the Job with a Great Reference

A great reference can mean the difference between getting your dream job and getting passed over. Get enthusiastic recommendations by choosing the right people, asking nicely and thanking them for their help!

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Create office plan next vacation

Also read: How Delegation Will Make You a Better Employee

There’s a reason that Americans are infamous workaholics: a whopping 52% of Americans didn’t use all of their time off in 2017. In fact, forfeited vacation days added up to the equivalent in $62.2 billion in lost benefits!

Taking time off isn’t just good for your mental and physical health, though. It’s actually good for your career.

Many people assume that chaining themselves to their desk means more productivity. Yet time and again, research shows that humans are more productive when they take time off. When you work past your capacity and forgo a much-needed vacation, you lose your ability to perform at your best.

The problem that many people run into, though, is how stressful leaving the office can be. They find their vacation frequently interrupted by emergency work calls, or drown in the amount of work that piled up while they were gone.

You deserve a relaxing, stress-free vacation. The best way to do that is by coming up with an effective Out-Of-Office (OOO) plan. With a bit of forethought and preparation, you can seamlessly take time off with minimal stress and overwhelm.

Get the time off you need with our guide to creating an OOO plan.

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Step #1: Give Everyone a Head’s Up

The best way to ensure that your time away goes as smoothly as possible is by giving advanced notice. Avoid the temptation to drag your feet: this will only make taking time off harder. Everyone will appreciate the heads up.

Block out your time off on the group calendar as soon as you get approval from management. This way, it also serves as a reminder for everyone on your team instead of coming out of nowhere.

Step #2: Delegate Your Responsibilities

The last thing you need to come back to after your time off is a backlog of work and potentially upset clients, vendors, or coworkers. Delegate your tasks among your coworkers so that everything works as seamlessly as possible in your absence.

Make a running list of all that you do each day. It can be easy to forget the jobs you do on autopilot, so give yourself a couple of days to make a note of everything that needs to get done as you’re doing it. Once you have a list, you can make sure that the appropriate tasks are delegated out to your coworkers.

Take time in the week before to talk with your coworkers about the responsibilities they will be taking for you. Make sure that they understand what they need to do and be available to answer any questions that they might have.

Make covering for you as easy as possible. Set up reminders for them depending on what needs to be done. Write a post-it, for example, if you need a coworker to do a daily task. You can also make a notification on their Google calendar when they need to do a particular job.

Step #3: Create a Manual

No one can do your job quite like you. The last thing you want during your time away, though, is being constantly bombarded with questions. Create a short, one-page manual on a Google Doc that gives everyone in the office a quick run-down of your tasks and any valuable information.

Write out your duties, passwords, company accounts and any valuable information they might need to reference quickly. This way, anyone in your office can find what they need without bothering you. You can also put your coverage plan on the document so that everyone knows who to contact and delegate to while you’re gone.

Step #4: Clean Up Your Workspace

One of the worst feelings is coming back to chaos after time away. It raises your stress levels before you’ve even had a chance to check your email inbox!

In your rush to get out as quickly as possible, take a few minutes to tidy up your space. Organize your desk, wipe down your screen and keyboard, and file important papers away. Although it may not seem like a big deal when you’re trying to rush out of there, it can make a big difference in how you feel arriving back at work.

Also, check to make sure that you’re not leaving any food behind, either in the break-room fridge or your desk. Your coworkers won’t appreciate the unpleasant odor from forgotten food, and they definitely won’t be happy cleaning up after you.

Also read: Tips for Asking for (and Getting) Time Off From Work

Step #5: Set-up an Away Message

According to research in the Harvard Business Review, an away message is the perfect chance for social connection. Although you won’t want to sound unprofessional (I’m getting drunk at the beach is too much), do let people know why you’re going. Are you celebrating an anniversary or having a baby? Let people know! It will help people feel positively towards you, which will make them more likely to do business with you and deepen your business relationships.

Also, don’t be afraid to customize your away message. Most email systems (such as Google) allow you to draft two different emails: one for internal and one for outside your organization. This will enable you to be more personal with your coworkers and more professional with everyone outside the office.

Your message should include:

A leave and return date
Reason for absence
Alternative contact and resources
If you plan on checking your email

Your autoresponder could look something like this:

Hello-

Thank you for your email! I will be out of the office on vacation with my family from 6/10-6/19 and will not have access to my email during that time.

If you have any urgent matters that need to be handled before then, please feel free to contact [coworker name] at [email address] for immediate attention.

I look forward to connecting with you when I get back!

Best,

[Your Name]

An Out of Office for a Better Career

Some time away from the office isn’t an option. Whether you have a work trip, family emergency, or you need time away to recharge your batteries, there will come a time when your office will have to run without you. Make it as stress-free for everyone involved with a good OOO plan.

You AND your coworkers will be grateful!

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Should you get an internship

The world of work has changed immensely and not just in the past 50 years, but in the past decade. With the advent of technology, expectations of knowledge are vastly different than they used to be. And while a college degree is still important, it’s no longer something that makes you stand out. Even having a master’s degree is becoming commonplace.

What employers really want to see is that you have some real-world experience, and this can be where an internship can come into play. While you want to be careful about what internship you take, they can have a lot of benefits that will help you down the line. Here we are going to highlight some of the reasons to get an internship and how to make sure it’s worth your time.

Gain Real World Experience

While school is an excellent place to learn and gain experiences, it is completely different from working in an office environment. Employers like to see that you have some experience in an office, and know how to handle yourself professionally. Having even a few months of experience at an internship with a good recommendation can go a long way to boosting their confidence in hiring you. It also gives you a chance to get used to how office environments function in a more low-pressure situation so that when you start on your first day you’re not completely overwhelmed.

It’s also a very sad reality these days that you need some related experience to get even entry-level jobs (which is what we’re working to change here at Scouted). While your parents might have had more on-the-job training, there are so many well-qualified candidates out there, you often need to show you have some experience to even get a foot in the door. Internships have become almost as expected as a college degree.

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Make Connections

One of the best ways to get good jobs is still through your network and connections, and an internship is a great way to get your foot in the door to the world of work.

A lot of big, well-known companies bring on large classes of interns that actually pay or offer college credit and these can have two huge benefits:

You get a big name company on your resume that people will be impressed by and
They often look to hire entry-level people from this pool of interns once they graduate.

While turning an internship into a job is never a guarantee, aiming your sights for more well-known companies will help you in the long run (and they are also more likely to have the funds to pay at least a little). If you perform well at the internship, then you can get in with people who will want to help further your career, and can write you good recommendations which is major for making the next step.

Find out What You Like

It’s hard to know what you want to be when you grow up, we get it. Even if you think you know 100% of what you want to do, it’s never a bad idea to actually try it out and make sure it’s a good fit.

Internships are a fantastic, low-pressure way to test out different roles and industries to see what you like and what you don’t. It is highly likely that you will go through a few different careers in your working life, current statistics show that most people go through 5-7 careers changes so why not test things out a bit first and start to narrow it down before you’ve even graduated?

Build Confidence

Internships are also a great way to build your confidence and will give you something besides your senior thesis to talk about at your interviews. Entering a professional work environment can be an intimidating experience, once you have some knowledge of how offices work and how to communicate in a professional way, it can start to feel much more manageable. It will also help you to feel more confident sending out your resume since you will have more relevant experience to what you hopefully want to do with your future. While industries have their own little idiosyncrasies, most offices have a lot in common.

There are many reasons to get an internship, but you do want to be smart about the internship you choose. Internships can help to set the groundwork for your career, and while many people do jump around, you want to make your internship work for you. Finding one that is related to what you hope to do after school can help you build connections and gain crucial experience that will give you a definite advantage over other recent grads. If you can find one at a well-known company that also pays, it is going to be competitive so leveraging alumni connections can be a useful strategy to get your foot in the door.

Internships are the perfect way to get the experience and connections you will most likely need to get your first real job after college. Also keep in mind that some internships are available to recent grads as well as current students! So if you’re already graduated, it’s not too late. Check out the internships and roles for recent grads on Scouted!

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Weve rebranded

Check out the new Scouted!

A note from the CEO:

We often get asked, out of all the businesses we *could* have created, why did we create a platform that helps people get jobs?

The short answer?

Because a person’s first, second, or even third job has the ability to change the entire trajectory of his or her career.

We saw way too much talent get overlooked for opportunities because they didn’t attend the *right* school or didn’t have the *right* former title and we realized how much both candidates and companies were missing out.

Maybe you want to transition careers and need to parlay how your skills transfer from one industry to the next. Maybe you’re on the hunt for your first job, eager to kickstart your career.

Regardless, here at Scouted, we’ve always believed that you are more than your resume. This has been our driving force from day one and it still is today. That’s why we created a platform that shows off your talents, personalities, and potential!

While we’re at it, we decided we could be doing a better job of this for Scouted, too. So, we treated ourselves to a big upgrade – we got a new look, new website, and new experience. Not only will this update better showcase our unique personality, it’ll help us better showcase yours. But, we’re more than just a pretty face… you can expect an improved user experience and even more amazing opportunities to come your way.

We’re delighted to share our new site with you and, as always, we’re committed to supporting you along your career journey in whatever way we can.

Keep it real,

Jax
Co-founder & CEO
#hirepeoplenotresumes

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Conduct informational interview example questions email template

Whether you’re working or still in college, it can be difficult to explore a variety of career paths. Not everyone has the time or opportunity to shadow an employee or intern for a summer at their dream company. Informational interviews allow you to learn more about a potential career and what others have experienced in the field.

Throughout the informational interview, usually lasting about 30 minutes to an hour, job seekers or college students can ask questions about someone’s career or experience at a company they are interested in, and seek their advice on how to best navigate the recruiting process. Informational interviews provide an opportunity to build your network, and may potentially lead to an internship or a full time job offer in the future.

This past year, I conducted around 10 informational interviews with alums of my college to learn more about their careers in Marketing. I really enjoyed hearing their individual stories and experiences, and greatly appreciated all of the thoughtful advice I received. The most difficult, but also most important, part of an informational interview can be the preparation. Showing up prepared demonstrates your organization and commitment to use your interviewee’s time wisely. Below are the steps I’ve followed over and over to continually be prepared for any informational interview.

Step 1: Identify friends, family, or alums of your university who currently work or have experience in these industries

Take a look on LinkedIn and search for connections you have within the industry you are interested in exploring. Search for companies that you’d love to have a job at one day, and connect with one of their employees. Additionally, speak with your career services office and see what alumni work in this industry. They usually can provide you with an email address, which can help increase the likelihood of someone responding to your message.

If you’re still in college, ask professors in your major to see if any of their past students now work in the industry you’re interested in. Make a list of four or five contacts that you want to request an informational interview with.

Step 2: Reach out via email or Linkedin

Write a brief message to your contact sharing a little about yourself, your career interests, and why you are interested in connecting with them. This information will help them know if they are able to give you advice based on their past career experience.

Some things to include:

A snippet about your major, college, work experience, and career interests
Why you are interested in speaking with them & how you are connected with them
A request for a short, informational interview

Your message could look something like this:

Hi [Interviewee’s Name],

I’m a [title] for [company] (or I am a [Class Year] at _______ College/University studying [Area of Study]), and am interested in pursuing a career in (insert industry). Through (insert how you found their information/how you know of them), I found that you work with [Company Name]. I would love to have a brief conversation with you to learn about your experience with [Company Name] and your career plans after you graduated from _______ College/University. Would you be willing to schedule an informational phone call with me?

Thank you very much for considering my request and I look forward to hearing back from you.

Best Regards,

[Your Name]

Also read: 5 LinkedIn Updates To Make Before You Apply for the Job

Step 3: Formulate a list of questions

Hopefully they’ve accepted your request and you’ve set up a time to chat. Before hopping on the phone, formulate a list of questions that you want to ask during the interview. Having questions prepared demonstrate to your interviewee that you are taking the conversation seriously and took the time to create thoughtful questions.

It may be helpful to email your questions to the interviewee beforehand so they can think about their responses. Below are some suggestions, but make sure to cater them to your particular interests and potential career.

What does your work look like on a day to day basis?
What opportunities are there for growth?
What are your main responsibilities?
How did you navigate your career path post-grad?
How did you decide to pursue a career in _____?
What skills are important to develop for this career while in college?

Step 4: Create a 30-second elevator pitch

Even though you initiated the informational interview, the person you are connecting with will most likely want to learn about your studies, past experiences, interests, and skills. Prepare a short summary of relevant details to share with your contact in the interview. For example, you may share your past internship experience, or talk about a recent organization you joined on campus.

Step 5: Stay in touch post-interview

After you’ve finished your interview, make sure to thank whoever you interviewed for their time and keep them updated on how their advice has assisted you throughout your internship or job search. Lastly, connect with them on Linkedin if you’re not already.

Also read: How to Write a Thank You or Follow Up Email After an Interview

Conducting an informational interview is a great way to explore potential careers, practice your networking skills, and expand your professional connections. Reaching out for an informational interview can be daunting, but knowing you’re prepared will ensure that the conversation goes smoothly. Keep us updated on how your next informational interview goes!

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Questions always ask job interview avoid

Here at Scouted, we want you to have your best interview possible. We often spend time with our candidates coaching them on interview best practices, giving them insider info on our partner companies if we can, and helping them navigate negotiations if needed. We love helping you put your best foot forward, which is why we have to say this:

Interviews are a two-way street and we’ve seen too many candidates act like they’re in an interrogation.

Believe us, nothing is worse than when a candidate gets turned down because they simply “didn’t seem that interested in the position.” Because oftentimes, that’s just not the case! We know that if you take the time to apply, participate in a phone screen, travel to an in-person interview, then it’s more than likely you want the job.

In this blog post, we want to help you show employers that you mean business. We want to show you the right questions to ask during your interview that will make you stand out as interested, invested, and knowledgeable in the role you’re interviewing for.

Questions to ask during your job interview:

What would a normal day look like in this role?
What would a successful employee look like in this role?
How would you describe your company’s values?
What are key performance indicators (KPIs) that I should care about?
What are your expectations for this role during the first 30 – 60 days?
Why did the last person who held this role move on?
How would you describe your company culture?
Who do you consider your top competitors, and why?
What are the biggest challenges facing the company/department right now?
What do you like best about working for this company?
What is the typical career path for someone in this role?
What are the next steps in the interview process?
What is the company’s management style?
Who does this position report to? If I am offered the position, can I meet him or her before making my final acceptance decision?
Why is this position available?
How many people work in this office/department?
How much travel is expected?
What are the prospects for growth and advancement? Or, How does your company handle personal development?
What is the typical career path for this role?
Do you have any reservations about my qualifications?
What is the best part of working for this company?
If I am extended a job offer, how soon would you like me to start?
Would you like a list of references?
Are there any other questions I can answer for you?

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Avoid these types of questions during your first interview:

Questions about vacation time, compensation, benefits, and perks.

These questions are important to know, but you don’t want it to seem like they’re the only reason you’re applying for the job. That being the case, you may want to wait to ask these questions until a second interview or even after an offer is made.

Questions that you could have found the answer to in an online search

It’s always important to make sure you’re prepared for your interview and a large part of that is simply researching the company. Look up their history, read their FAQ page, their “Work With Us” page, their YouTube and social media channels. Lastly, be sure to brush up on recent news about the company. If they’re a startup who recently raised a large round of funding (probably the reason for expanding their team) be sure to congratulate them.

Overly specific questions that may raise red flags

Say you had a bad experience at your last company. It happens. You might be wary to make sure it doesn’t happen again (understandable), but it could be a red flag if you ask too many questions about a specific topic.

For example, if you had a poor experience with a past manager and you ask several questions about who your new manager is, their personality, management style, accountability, etc., it could be seen as a red flag that you have issues with authority. Whether or not that’s the case, ask what you need to know, but do try to play it cool. Instead, try asking if you can meet the person you’ll be reporting to or save some of your more specific questions for later in the interview process when you’ve been able to build a stronger relationship with the hiring managers.

Of course, you don’t need to ask every single question above, but hopefully by the end of your conversation with the hiring managers, you’ll know the answers to most of them. Again, an interview is a two-way dialogue where you learn how you best fit within the company, why they need to hire someone like you, and what your life will look like when working there.

What are questions you like to ask during a job interview? Leave your favorites below and maybe we’ll add them to the list!

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5 tips working startup

Working for a startup is no cakewalk, but it is very fun! Startups are risky, fast-paced and constantly changing, and as a result, startup jobs are hard. People who work for small companies can be under a lot of pressure, but their jobs can also be very rewarding. Here are 5 helpful tips for working at a startup!

1 | Time management is key

When you are working for a startup, there are always tasks to be completed, projects to work on, and ways to help out. It’s easy to spend too much time on one specific task and accidentally leaving other projects to the wayside. You should always be aware of how you are spending your time, and always check to make sure that your time would not be better spent doing something else.

Pro tip – make a daily list of what you would like to accomplish before going home, and at the end of each day, reflect on what you did or didn’t get done. This is a useful exercise for two reasons. First – it will give a chance to consider all of your daily tasks and decide how to prioritize your time at the start of each day. Second – there is great value in reflecting on how you’ve spent your day. It can make you aware of time management habits you may not have noticed about yourself, and it provides the opportunity to improve.

Also read: How to Get a Job at a Startup

2 | Always look for ways to help

Growing a company is hard. Startups have limited money, very little time, and intense competition. With this shortage of resources, it is important that you are pulling your weight and helping where you can. Before you approach your supervisor asking if they have any work for you, it’s often a good idea to look around and find ways you can help out on your own. This way, you aren’t making someone else use their time to try to find work for you, and if you look for work on your own, you can get involved in the things that interest you and are helpful to the company!

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3 | Be aware of what your coworkers are doing

Because startups are small, each employee often has a variety of responsibilities, some of which may not even directly relate to their position. Some departments may even only consist of one person! One issue with startups is that when they are really small, if one person is out sick or quits their job, it can be hard for others to know how to fill in for them. This is why it’s important to know what your coworkers spend their days doing, and how they do it.

Knowing about what your coworkers are doing will also help you do your job better. Virtually all of the departments in a small company must constantly communicate with each other, and knowing how your co-workers spend their days will not only make you more useful to them, but it can help make communication between departments better.

Also read: What Size Startup Should You Join?

4 | Always be learning

In a startup, every employee matters, and every decision is consequential. As mentioned earlier, employees of startups wear many hats, and are responsible for a variety of projects. Because of this, it is crucial to always be learning. Learn both from the projects you are working on, and also take time to learn outside of the office. Keep up with current events, read books, and pay attention to the industry, even if your job doesn’t directly require you to do so. You never know when something you’ve learned may end up being useful, or when you’ll have the next big idea!

For example, as an employee of Scouted, I was tasked with researching new and innovative ways to get to know the personalities of Scouted users to better match them to job opportunities. In the process of combing through assessments, quizzes, and scientific psychology journals, I learned quite a bit about how a person’s personality can predict the types of work environments they would thrive in. The things that I learned ended up not only being useful for Scouted, but they will be useful at any other startup I work at in the future!

5 | Make sure you are having fun

Startups are a lot of fun, but only if you allow them to be. Fast-paced environments can be stressful, and it can be easy to get too wrapped up in your work. Employees of startups often feel that they never run out of work to do. It is not uncommon for people who work at startups to unintentionally neglect their friends, family, or health because they are unable to find work-life balance. This can be avoided with careful planning. It is crucial to draw a line in the sand and make it clear to not only yourself, but also your co-workers and boss what your limits are. At the start of any startup job, write out a list of what your work-life balance demands are, and stick to them. For example, “I will not do any work after 9:00 PM more than three days per week” could be a good goal to have.

It is also key to plan vacations one or twice per year, and take a few self-care days in between. Everyone needs time off to maintain their sanity, no matter how important work may feel. Depriving yourself of sleep, exercise, or free time to decompress will not only hurt you, but it will hurt your productivity, which in turn affects your company. Kick-off your shoes and watch that show you’ve been too busy to start, read that book that’s been collecting dust, book tickets for that band that’s finally going on tour, or stay in bed past noon on a Saturday. Taking a break every once in a while isn’t just fun – it’s essential.

If you have any pro tips of your own that you’ve used to impress your boss, keep to deadlines, or have more fun at work please leave them in the comments below – we’d love to learn from you!

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Choose two job offers

With unemployment near historic lows, it is a seller’s market when it comes to looking for a new job. There’s a good chance that while you’re on the job hunt, you might have multiple job offers in hand and need to make a decision about which one you will choose. While it might be tempting to take the job that offers the higher salary, there are several other factors to take into consideration before signing on the dotted line. Not sure what criteria should be on your pros and cons list? Here are some questions to ask when choosing between two job offers.

What does career progression look like in each company?

Some companies have a defined career path (such as from assistant account executive, to account executive, to senior account executive) over a set period of time, like a promotion every year. Others companies have larger jumps in title and responsibilities (such as from coordinator to manager), but at a slower pace, like a promotion every two to four years. Ask yourself how long you think you would realistically stay at the company and how quickly you want to grow your career. There are merits to rapid growth in smaller increments, as well as significant growth across a longer timespan. Regardless, you will want to take a position where advancement is achievable and the company encourages your professional development.

What is the company culture like?

The Harvard Business Review has reported on research suggesting that company culture and values, rather than salary, tend to be the top predictors of workplace satisfaction. Since you will be spending the bulk of your day at work, it’s no surprise that company culture is one of the most important factors to think about. Company culture encompasses a variety of things, from the atmosphere in the break room to expectations around work-life balance. For example, does the office offer social events, and what does the rapport seem like among team members? Are you expected to work nights and weekends? Are you allowed to work remotely? Do most employees use their vacation days–and are they encouraged to do so?

Also take into consideration what the company’s larger mission is and if it fits your personal beliefs. Maybe one of the companies emphasizes social impact or volunteering, or maybe one provides a solution to a business problem that you think is important. There is no right or wrong answer for what is most important to you, and you should be honest in your assessment of if each company shares your values.

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What is your impression of your future boss?

You may have heard the phrase that you don’t choose your company; you choose your boss. Usually, the person who interviewed you will be your immediate supervisor. When comparing job offers, consider which hiring manager you clicked with the most and who you can envision yourself working with. During your interview, you should have gotten a good impression of each boss’s personality and leadership style, and you should have asked questions about their experience working at the company. Based on what you discussed and observed, think about who would be the best mentor and help you grow in your career. Conversely, if the hiring manager at one of the companies didn’t seem like a good fit for you or didn’t seem to respect other employees, it’s okay to use that negative impression as one of your deciding factors.

What are the benefits like?

Salary is only one part of the compensation package. Retirement and insurance benefits are other major players. For example, there is a huge difference between a job that pays $50,000 but doesn’t offer any insurance and a job that pays $45,000 but covers medical, vision, and dental insurance.

Look for the answers to these benefit questions when filling out your pros and cons list:

Does one company offer 401k matching, but the other does not?
How much (if anything) would you need to pay out-of-pocket for health insurance?
If you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree or continuing education, will one of the companies offer tuition reimbursement?

You should also think about vacation days, commuting benefits, parental leave, and other factors that apply to your unique situation. Sometimes better benefits outweigh a higher salary.

Where is each job located?

If you applied to jobs in different places, location should also be a major determinant in your final decision. Will either job require you to relocate, and if so, will you receive a relocation allowance? If the jobs are located in different cities, how does the cost of living compare? Will moving take you farther away from friends and family?

Even within a city or region, location can be important. If the jobs are local, what will your commute be like? Ask yourself questions about public transportation vs. driving, and transit schedules or traffic based on your expected work hours.

Can you negotiate a higher salary for your preferred job?

After taking all these factors into account, you may find that you want to take the job offering the lower salary. However, there is usually room for negotiation. You can leverage that fact that you have multiple offers on the table in order to garner a higher salary at your preferred company. Come prepared with research and statistics showing a fair salary for the position and the industry, and why your professional experience would be an asset to the company. If there’s no flexibility with salary, you might be able to negotiate a few extra vacation days or the option to work from home once a week. Remember it never hurts to ask for more money or a few extra perks.

After you’ve made your decision…

First of all, congratulations! Accept the first offer in writing, and write a formal withdrawal letter for the second offer. Thank them for their time and explain that you ultimately decided to choose another employer. Most importantly, when saying “thanks, but no thanks” to the second offer, be kind and courteous. You never know when you might cross paths with that company or hiring manager again.

Looking for more job search tips? Check out the Scouted newsletter and the rest of our revamped website.

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