4 Things to Look for in a Company

Looking for your first internship or your first full-time job can be overwhelming. There are many companies and organisations to choose from and many different opportunities to consider. If you add on the possibility of securing remote work from an employer abroad, the opportunity is limitless.

As a fresh graduate, it can be confusing trying to navigate the job market. Therefore, it is important for you to consider all aspects of the company (and the opportunity!) before making your final decision. Here are four things to consider when you are looking for your first internship or your first job:

1. Potential career development opportunities.

At the early stages of your career, you have a lot to learn and discover. For that reason alone, it is important to find a company that allows you to learn and develop yourself as much as possible. This can range from anything between internal training to external training and development opportunities. A good company will always support their employees’ growth and development, and a good manager will always support your career goals.

Additional note: Search for companies registered under the National Structured Internship Programme (MySIP) on MyNext. Not only can you get a monthly allowance through a MySIP internship, but these internships are also structured and can provide you with lots of training and learning opportunities to develop your skills. Companies under MySIP can also claim double tax deductions for approved expenses related to internships, which include training and development fees, so you may have more opportunities to take advantage of.

2    2. Compensation, benefits, and additional perks.

Yes, it is not all about the salary (although that is also an essential aspect of career planning!). Consider other perks and benefits that make up the full compensation package. This can be anything from the flexibility to work from home, medical and dental insurance package (for you and your family), personal development fund, additional allowances for travel, internet or mobile phone, and even the number of annual leaves you get per year. Some companies may even offer additional perks at the office, such as free-flow coffee and tea, free lunches, free gym memberships, free or subsidised mental health treatments, and more.

Depending on your current situation, some perks and benefits may be more valuable than others, so think wisely about what you can benefit from!

Additional tip: Make a list of things that are important to you when looking for a job or an internship and rank them according to priority or importance. This can be from location to flexibility to working hours.

      3. Mentoring opportunities.

As a student or a fresh graduate, being mentored by a seasoned industry professional is a huge plus. This can give you insights into the industry, allow you to learn from a mentor’s journey, and provide you with tips and tricks on how to survive in the working environment. A good career mentor can be a source of inspiration and motivation and can also help to connect you with other industry professionals.

Additional tip: Utilise LinkedIn to look for potential mentors within and outside the company. You can also attend industry networking events, such as the #WalkWithMe mentoring programmes and the #WomenCareerConvention by TalentCorp, to expand your network and connect with industry professionals.

      4. Company’s values and culture.

Lastly, it is also important to ensure that you work in a company that shares values and beliefs similar to yours. As you will spend most of your day at work, you want to ensure that you work with a company and a team that fits your values and personality. It is not just about finding the right job, but instead, it is about finding the right-fit job for you. For instance, if you value creative and artistic freedom, working in a corporate culture may limit your creativity, thus suppressing your potential.

Additional tip: On your MyNext profiling, you answered a series of tests, including a Work Values test. This test shows you the work values that are important to you – such as Independence, Recognition, Security, Economic Return, Belonging, and Leadership. Use the results to identify your work values and find ways to use them as you search for your next opportunity.

As you go on to chart your career journey, don’t forget to stop, pause, and think about what is important for you in a job, and how a company can support you in chasing your professional goals. And don’t forget to sign up on MyNext Talent to find your next paid internship spot today!