what's your priority when choosing a job?
By victorywp
@victorywp (3524)
United States
March 24, 2010 10:25pm CST
different people puts different kind of priority while choosing a job. so how do you arrange your priority based of these 5 elements?
- money (salary/pay/allowance/incentive/commission/bonus/etc)
- health risk (location/cleanliness/dangerous level/etc)
- people (boss/superior/senior/colleague/customer/supplier/etc)
- work (job function/work loads/areas of responsibility/travelling/etc)
- other reasons
for me, people is important as they would influence my working mood. as most of the people is spending 8 hours (1/3 of one day) working, if the people they met each day are giving extra pressure, causing unnecessary trouble, not understanding, not helping, etc., this might affect one's mood even after working hours. 
i think money and work should go along. the more money you want, the more work loads or responsibility you need to bear. of course if there is a chance, i will choose a job with less work but more money, but definitely not vice versa (a work giving less money but more work). but i would be satisfied and happy with a smaller job scope (where i can handle everything efficiently and happily) and of course a reasonable pay for it. 
health is a big concern too. even if you are happy working in the company and are earning a good amount of money, suffering from health is not a good exchange too. however, this is altogether depending on how we take care of it in order to minimize/avoid from unnecessary risk while working.
so, my priority order would be like this:
1) people
2) work
3) money
4) health
5) others
how about you? 
i think money and work should go along. the more money you want, the more work loads or responsibility you need to bear. of course if there is a chance, i will choose a job with less work but more money, but definitely not vice versa (a work giving less money but more work). but i would be satisfied and happy with a smaller job scope (where i can handle everything efficiently and happily) and of course a reasonable pay for it.
health is a big concern too. even if you are happy working in the company and are earning a good amount of money, suffering from health is not a good exchange too. however, this is altogether depending on how we take care of it in order to minimize/avoid from unnecessary risk while working.
so, my priority order would be like this:
1) people
2) work
3) money
4) health
5) others
how about you? 3 people like this
36 responses
@amyson (3498)
• Philippines
25 Mar 10
i think you said it all here all.my ist is money how much is my salary can compensate with my cost of living.second is my health i always asking in applying a job if there are sick leave,health insurance and etc.3rd is working condition.i see to it i am comfortable working with ventilated environment.4th is considering co-worker and boss.
2 people like this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
25 Mar 10
great, most of the people do put money as their main priority. i think i am a weirdo for being exceptional. 
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
26 Mar 10
i like your honesty, amyson. but i am honest too for not putting money as my top priority. maybe because i am still single so i don't see money as a big constrain for me.
@sreejithsreenivas (10200)
• India
25 Mar 10
For working atmosphere is very important and salary is very important for any job.Now i am working as a network engineer in a software firm.Now i am enjoying this jog a lot,because i am getting what i expected from my job.
2 people like this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
25 Mar 10
good to hear that you love your job and get what you expected from the job. this is hard to meet but i am glad that you did. 
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
25 Mar 10
I agree with most of your list, although I would reverse items 1 and 2. I think that the job itself is the most important. If you aren't doing something that you like, or that holds your interest, then working with the nicest people in the world won't matter. You won't be happy. I would put 'people' second, because (assuming you stay with the same company) you find that the people you work with and for, will change over time. People leave, people are hired. If your happier with the job, it's easier to get along with the other people, no matter who the are.
1 person likes this
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
27 Mar 10
Sounds like you are only limited by the hours in the day. It's great to have so many areas of interest. Regardless of the people, I hope you don't end up in something that is boring. Well, if that happened, I guess the people could make it bearable. Probably something with a lot of areas of responsibility would be great for you. Good luck!
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
27 Mar 10
no, i won't end up in something that is boring. unless you mean that my interests are boring? 
just kidding! 
just kidding! 1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
27 Mar 10
that's true, catdla. but i have some difficulties here on choosing a job. i have a lot of interests and skills and i know that i can handle the jobs in different fields. that's the reason i have to put people as my top priority because they are the reason i am going to choose the job. one thing troubles me is that i have equal interest on those different fields. 
1 person likes this
@annierose (18926)
• Philippines
30 Mar 10
hi victorywp,
First all of all, I would like to get a job that suits my interest. I graduated with a degree of Bachelor in Secondary Education major in English. It means that I am a teacher. So I wanted to work as a teacher so I can apply what I have studied for four years. It will also help me to grow professionally.Secondly, I would prioritize my salary as well. I don't care if my job is near or far from home but it must pay me good enough. I also agree with you looking for a work which gives less work but more money rather than more work and less money. And last is all about my workmates. I know I cannot please everybody but I want to work with a friendly environment.Since I be with them for many hours during weekdays, so I and they must have good relationship with each other. As for now, those are my priorities.
1 person likes this
@pasopatione (6)
• Indonesia
30 Mar 10
hi Annierose
I agree Where any body must be self but life not just working, life become very nice when some one has been to find what they looking for they know what must they do, let life to walk like water flow and to bring we to some place where we are would, work hard with your mind focus to the point and let shine from God to shine we heart, because there is really life, grow with blowing like flower and the money automatic coming soon to follow what you do and your ask yours self how much more what you would use imagine that believe or not (for just sharing experience)
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
4 Aug 10
hi annierose! sorry for my very late reply! oh my goodness, it has been 5 months passed! i must have missed out your reply earlier. really sorry about that. 
i hope you are happy working as a teacher. actually i wanted to become a teacher too. let's see how it goes.
i hope you are happy working as a teacher. actually i wanted to become a teacher too. let's see how it goes. 
@ckyera (17332)
• Philippines
25 Mar 10
hello victory,
usually when i am applying for a job the first thing that i consider is if i fit with the job offer and if its something that i like. i am not really choosy as long as i know i can handle the situation. i believe that the people around me can be good or bad towards me depends on how i deal with them, money, well i usually starts on the minimum wage...hehe and as long as i know that the salary i am receiving is with accordance to the law then i'm good with it. i also consider the possible career growth with the company. i am someone who usually sticks with the job that i have...coz when i like the work that i have, i will be doing my best for it and i don't get tired...hehe
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
25 Mar 10
wow, that's very good, ckyera. when you say that you don't get tired working, it simply means that you love your job. 
if a person doesn't like his/her job, they would easily gets tired, waiting the time to pass faster, or even finding excuses to go back early or skip their job. 
if a person doesn't like his/her job, they would easily gets tired, waiting the time to pass faster, or even finding excuses to go back early or skip their job. 
@scififan43 (2434)
• United States
4 Aug 10
My proritys are as follows 1. Money. 2. work. 3. people. 4. health. 5. other factors. they are all inportant in choseing a new job. I have recely changed jobs and some of the same factors aplyed in my chioce but not nessecary in that order.
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
4 Aug 10
that's good to hear that you have changed jobs. surely there are good things about the new company that prompt you to quit in your current company.
as for myself, i have been working in the same company for five years now, ever since i graduated from my university. i really hope to have a change in my working environment in the near future. it has been stagnant for a while now.
as for myself, i have been working in the same company for five years now, ever since i graduated from my university. i really hope to have a change in my working environment in the near future. it has been stagnant for a while now. @scififan43 (2434)
• United States
5 Aug 10
Yes I have changed jobs. the new one is less money but also less responsillity than my previous one. I will with my old employer for about 10 years before the change. there were also other factors that were invloved in the decition as well.
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
26 Mar 10
so can i become your colleague? oops, sorry for being rude. i mean you as my superior?
@celticeagle (158672)
• Boise, Idaho
25 Mar 10
I would have to be excited about the work (meaning something I would enjoy doing), then I would have to be able to relate to the other people working there, salary would be important to me, and insurance and location would be the last two items. If it is too far away it wouldn't really pay me to work there. And it would have to have good health coverage.
@celticeagle (158672)
• Boise, Idaho
26 Mar 10
I am now retired and so I have had alittle experience.
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
25 Mar 10
a nice list, celticeagle. yeah, doing a job that we are interested in is always better than doing a job that we don't like but only for the sake of money. you have done some good calculation there.
1 person likes this
@jakill (835)
•
25 Mar 10
Far as I'm concerned it's the type of work that counts; I want some job satisfaction. Next would be the people; I don't want lots of aggro. Then the money; it has to be worthwhile. Then my health. Another one might be where I'll be working, whether I'd have to travel and how long it would take me to get from home to base.
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
26 Mar 10
hi jakill. that's a very clear priority list. it simply means that you are clear with what you want to achieve in the future. maybe you are a perfectionist too, i wonder? 
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
25 Mar 10
1) MONEY It always seems to be the money. I work to earn.
2) LOCATION/DISTANCE of the place of course matters. I don't want to be working too far away from home except when necessary.
3) SHIFTING/TIME: As much as possible, I hate graveyard shifts. As a nurse that is unavoidable though. We always will have this night shift where we work from night until the morning. It's very draining.
4) POSITION - I don't like a job where I'm supposed to be the boss. I would rather choose to be following orders rather than giving them.
5) EXPOSURE TO SUBSTANCES/ OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS - A friend of mine was working at a place where she sniffs in all kinds of dusts from animal feeds. She had a bad case of asthma so she had to give the job up. Yes, she was adequately compensated but it compromised her health so what's the use?
I'm lucky to land in a job where the people I work with are awesome. But the compensation is really poor. That's not so good especially that it's on the top of my list. People are very important to consider but it lands on my lower 5 priority. :)
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
26 Mar 10
that's a great priority list order, Theresaaiza. and theresa is a good name especially for someone who work as a nurse (like you).
hmm, in that case, money is not the top priority for you. since you can accept the work with low compensation because of the people around you are awesome. it seems to me like people is the top priority for you.
hmm, in that case, money is not the top priority for you. since you can accept the work with low compensation because of the people around you are awesome. it seems to me like people is the top priority for you. 
@madteaparty (2748)
• Japan
25 Mar 10
I was thinking that people was the last in my ranking until I read your reasons for that, so you made me change my mind. If I had to make a top 5 of reasons, it would be now money, people, work, health risk and other reasons. Money is still the main reason as it's necessary to live.
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
26 Mar 10
it's great to have enlightened you with what i think.
yeah, although money is not the most important thing in life, but we cannot survive without it.
yeah, although money is not the most important thing in life, but we cannot survive without it. 
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
26 Mar 10
i think everyone loves to receive more money but doing less work.
@siliguri (4241)
• India
25 Mar 10
Actually be genuine...
many of persons give priority to how much money he/she will get at the end of the month...and i also one of them....but working in one company six months ago...they had been paying good money..but the work load is too much...and it badly effected my health...so from that day..i understood...the money is not big deal..then work load..and i had leave that job..and i working in an office..not having so much work load..but salary is less what i earned before..but doesn't matter...now i'm very happy with my work that i'm doing..so my priority order is little bit different from yours...1)work...2)people...3)money...i didn't including health in it..because i think health is depend upon the work load...if the work load is heavy effect the healthiness..and vice versa...
have a nice day...
have a nice day...
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
25 Mar 10
your priority orders are very close to mine. however, i put people as my top priority over work, because i will continue to work (even if it's very hard for me to handle) if my boss is understanding and my colleagues are helping me with it.
if i can handle all my job very well but my boss does not appreciate it and my colleagues thought that all that i have completed/achieved are simple compared to theirs, i won't be happy though.
if i can handle all my job very well but my boss does not appreciate it and my colleagues thought that all that i have completed/achieved are simple compared to theirs, i won't be happy though. 
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
26 Mar 10
nice to hear from you, grkelly. is it hard for you to get a public transport from the place you are living now? or you would like to save cost in that aspect? or simply because you don't like to waste your time in between the journey through and back from your house and working place?
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
25 Mar 10
My priority is not to have to work under someone else, which is why I'm currently unemplyed, but studying, in order to start my own business. I am interested into going into business for myself, so I will be able to make a nice living, but not have to put up with someone telling me what to do.
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
25 Mar 10
great, it is good to have such an ambition to be your own boss. are you born with it? i mean is your parents/grandparents a successful businessman/businesswoman of a business of their own?
@grecychunny26 (9483)
• Philippines
25 Mar 10
The first thing I consider in a job is about the work. I want to know first if there is a job that is similar to my experience on my previous job before I apply. Second is on my application, of course the Human Resource will state about the pay, I will think about it. Third is the people I will be working with, fourth is the health. for me the work is important since I am on the experience, and on the compesation of course at first it is not high since I am just starting, but they have to be real that after six months they will do an appraisal if i deserve.
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
25 Mar 10
thanks for sharing how you arrange your priority when choosing a job. we could use it as a reference while considering a new job in the future.
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
29 Mar 10
I guess i will have more or less the same priorities as u, but my reasons are definitely different.. lol =D
For ple, it's more like having the right person to guide me along during work, when i'm still new.. making sure in me, learning things the right way, according to SOP.. So that, at least i have something to fall back on when anything happens..
I dun care much about the others, mood or whatever.. Because once i'm familiar with the way things work, productivity will bound to increase, and whatever is done by 2, can now be done by me only.. lol =D
With that, there will be more than enough reason to ask for pay rise, citing giving me extra 20-30% of rise, is much lower than paying a useless staff 100%.. lol =D
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
29 Mar 10
Yup, it all depends on where we are working in.. Let's say in the service sector of working in F&B, productivity is a must for there are so many task to do, and nobody is being assigned to just one, for it's so much slower.. lol =D
Well, i'm mylotting, because i'm not working today!! lol =D
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
29 Mar 10
you need someone to guide you, making sure you learn the right way, and when things go wrong, you have someone to blame (by saying that you are only following his/her instructions)? just kidding!
yes, when productivity bound to increase, we can take over certain job done by two or three, but i think that is only applicable in the same department. for example, if you are a salesperson and agreed to customer to deliver your products on a fixed date. you still need the cooperation from production and logistic to get things going smooth. it is impossible to do all that on your own because of time constrain.
nice points and reasons though... so why are you still here mylotting? now get back to work!
yes, when productivity bound to increase, we can take over certain job done by two or three, but i think that is only applicable in the same department. for example, if you are a salesperson and agreed to customer to deliver your products on a fixed date. you still need the cooperation from production and logistic to get things going smooth. it is impossible to do all that on your own because of time constrain.
nice points and reasons though... so why are you still here mylotting? now get back to work! 1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
30 Mar 10
you are not working because you are on vacation leave? or medical leave? or public holiday? or busy mylotting?
@ava152007 (641)
• India
27 Mar 10
I think my priority would be
1) Health
2) work
3) Money
4) People
5) Others
:)
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
30 Mar 10
that's true! we can earn a lot of money now but when we got sick one day, all the money would be used for medication/operation/surgery.
@arunmails (3011)
• India
25 Mar 10
[b]According to me, the job must be comfortable and satisfy me.. then I will manage everything..
Without satisfication and comfortable.. I cannot work in any environment... even if they pay a huge amount..[/b]
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
25 Mar 10
nice, you know what you want and hold firmly on your principle. that's a good thing that you have set comfortability and satisfaction as you main your priority.
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
25 Mar 10
that means you don't have put any priority when choosing a job? after you worked for quite some time in the company (with the exeprience you received), then you would be thinking whether this is the right place for you? whether you want to stay or leave? am i right, LIENROSE?
1 person likes this
