Wait, I Don’t Get Health Insurance?
by Kelsey Alpaio, Senior Associate Editor
When I started applying for jobs after college, I had no understanding of what “benefits” were. I accepted the first job offer I received — no questions asked. It wasn’t until a few weeks in that I realized what I had agreed to.
Wait, I don’t get health insurance? There’s no retirement plan? We don’t even have an office? Oh, the joys of startup life.
At the time, I played it cool. I was getting paid to work in the field of my choice — what more could I possibly want? Plus, I could stay on my family’s insurance for a few more years, no one saves for retirement in their 20s anyways, and I love working from coffee shops!
Luckily, as the company grew, so did our benefits. I eventually got health and dental insurance, a 401(k) with company matching, and my very own desk. By the time I was ready to apply for jobs again, I knew which benefits were important to me and what to look for in my next role.
I wanted a higher salary, flexibility in work hours and location, great health insurance at a lower cost, a retirement plan supported by the company, and a good time-off policy. Of course, there were other benefits I cared about, but by identifying and prioritizing the ones that mattered most to me, I was able to find a job that matched my career goals and my values. Because of that, I’ve felt fulfilled and supported in my current role.
When you're eager to find a job, it can be hard to focus on the full benefits package of an offer. But please, learn from my mistakes. Make understanding and identifying the benefits that are important to you a priority.
These articles can help you get started.
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2yThanks for posting