Things to Consider Before Applying for a Job

Applying for a job takes time and effort. Before you apply, it can be useful to check whether the role is right for you and whether the employer is offering the terms you are looking for.

You do not need to have everything figured out before applying, but understanding the job can help you make an informed decision.

Contract and employment type

Check what type of employment is being offered.

You may see terms such as:

  • Agency work: You work through an employment agency, which can arrange temporary or permanent work with another organisation. Check who employs you and the terms of the arrangement.
  • Apprenticeship: You work while completing training and a qualification, with time spent working and learning.
  • Self-employed or contractor: You provide services on a self-employed or contract basis rather than being employed in the usual way. Your rights and responsibilities can be different, so make sure you understand the arrangement.

These arrangements can have different terms and legal rights.

If you are unsure about what type of arrangement you are being offered, ask the employer for clarification before accepting the work.

Flexibility

If an employer describes a job as flexible, check what this means in practice.

For example, flexibility might mean:

  • Different start and finish times
  • Working from home on certain days
  • The ability to change shifts
  • Flexibility around particular commitments

Do not assume that “flexible” means you can choose your own working hours.

If flexibility is important to you, ask the employer what arrangements are available.

What will you actually be doing?

Job titles do not always tell you what a role will be like day to day. Read the job description carefully and think about what you would actually spend your time doing.

Consider:

  • What would a typical day look like?
  • Would you mainly work alone or with other people?
  • Would you regularly speak to customers or members of the public?
  • Is the work mainly physical, practical, office-based or computer-based?
  • Would you need to meet targets or work to tight deadlines?
  • Would you need to deal with difficult or stressful situations?
  • Would you be expected to travel as part of the role?
  • Are there tasks you would particularly enjoy or find difficult?

If something important is unclear, it is reasonable to ask the employer or recruitment contact before applying or accepting a job.

Qualifications and requirements

Check whether the job requires particular:

  • Qualifications
  • Licences
  • Training
  • Experience
  • Right to work
  • Driving requirements
  • Professional registrations

Some requirements may be essential for legal or safety reasons.

Do not spend time applying for a role without first checking whether you meet requirements that are essential to the job.

Think about the working environment

The environment you work in can have a big effect on how comfortable and confident you feel.

Think about things such as:

  • How busy or quiet the workplace is
  • Noise, lighting, crowds or other sensory demands
  • How much interaction you will have with other people
  • Whether you will have a quiet space to take breaks
  • Whether you will work indoors or outdoors
  • Whether you will be sitting, standing or moving around for long periods
  • How predictable or changeable the working day is
  • Whether you will work independently or as part of a team

There is no “right” type of workplace. Some people enjoy busy, social environments, while others prefer quieter or more predictable settings.

Training and development

Think about whether the employer offers opportunities to learn and develop.

You could look for information about:

  • Induction and training
  • Apprenticeships
  • Professional qualifications
  • Mentoring
  • Career progression
  • Internal development opportunities

Training is not guaranteed simply because a job advert mentions “career development”, so if this is important to you, ask what support is actually available.

Workplace and employer

Think about whether the organisation and workplace are a good fit for you.

You could research:

  • What the organisation does
  • Its values
  • Its reputation
  • The type of workplace
  • How large the organisation is
  • What employees say about working there

Be careful when relying on online reviews. Individual experiences can vary, so use several sources where possible.

You can also ask questions during the recruitment process about the team, management style and working environment.

You might want to find out:

  • How managers communicate with staff
  • Whether employees are treated respectfully
  • Whether people are encouraged to ask for help
  • How the organisation responds to mistakes
  • Whether staff are given opportunities to give feedback
  • How the workplace approaches bullying, discrimination and harassment
  • Whether people are expected to work beyond their contracted hours
  • Whether the workplace appears supportive or overly competitive

You can research the organisation, read information from different sources and ask questions during recruitment. Remember that online reviews are based on individual experiences, so it is useful to look at several sources rather than relying on one review.

Benefits and other terms

The salary is not always the only thing to consider.

Depending on the employer, benefits might include:

  • Pension contributions
  • Paid holiday
  • Sick pay
  • Workplace discounts
  • Health or wellbeing support
  • Flexible working arrangements
  • Training or professional development
  • Other employee benefits

Check the terms carefully. Benefits can vary between employers and some may have eligibility requirements.

Reasonable adjustments

If you are disabled and need reasonable adjustments to take part in the recruitment process or do the job, you can ask the employer about this.

An adjustment could include changes to the recruitment process or workplace arrangements.

You do not need to decide everything before applying. If you need an adjustment, you can discuss this with the employer or recruitment contact.

See “Requesting Reasonable Adjustments” for more information.


Consider your mental health and wellbeing

It can be helpful to think about whether the job is likely to support or place additional pressure on your mental health. This does not mean avoiding anything that makes you nervous or assuming that mental health difficulties prevent you from doing certain types of work. Instead, consider what you need to work well and what challenges feel manageable for you.

For example, if you experience social anxiety, a job involving constant interaction with large numbers of customers might initially feel overwhelming. You might prefer a quieter role, or you might decide that a customer-facing job is something you would like to work towards gradually. If you experience difficulties with sleep, very early starts or frequent night shifts may be particularly difficult to manage.

Think about whether the demands of the role are something you can realistically manage alongside looking after yourself. A job should challenge you and help you develop, but you should also have enough time and energy for sleep, relationships, hobbies and other important parts of your life.


Think about safety

Your safety at work matters. Consider whether the role involves any particular risks, especially if you are working alone, travelling between locations, working late or dealing with members of the public.

For example, think about:

  • How you would get home after late shifts
  • Whether you would ever work alone
  • Whether you would handle money or valuable equipment
  • Whether the role involves working with vulnerable people
  • Whether you could be exposed to difficult or upsetting situations
  • What training would be provided for potentially risky tasks
  • Who you would contact if something went wrong

You do not need to know everything about workplace safety before applying, but you should feel able to ask questions if something concerns you.

Think about your boundaries

Starting work can involve learning how to manage boundaries between work and the rest of your life. Before accepting a job, consider whether the expectations seem reasonable and whether you understand what will be expected of you.

For example:

  • Are you expected to answer messages outside working hours?
  • Is overtime voluntary or expected?
  • Will you be contacted regularly when you are not working?
  • Are breaks provided?
  • Are you expected to take work home?
  • Do you understand who to speak to if you are struggling?

You do not need to accept unreasonable behaviour simply because you are new to work. Learning to communicate your boundaries respectfully is an important part of working life.

Think about your longer-term goals

You do not need to know exactly what career you want, but it can be useful to think about what you would like to get from the job.

You might want to:

  • Earn money while studying
  • Gain experience for a future career
  • Develop confidence
  • Learn practical or technical skills
  • Meet new people
  • Work towards a qualification
  • Build your CV
  • Gain experience in an area you are considering as a career

A job does not have to be directly related to your future career to be useful. Skills such as communication, teamwork, organisation, problem-solving and reliability can be valuable across many different types of work.

Think about whether the job fits your life

It is easy to focus on getting a job and forget to think about what life will be like once you have one. Consider whether the role leaves you enough time and energy for your other responsibilities and the things that matter to you.

Think about your:

  • Education or training
  • Family or caring responsibilities
  • Friendships and relationships
  • Sleep and physical health
  • Mental health
  • Hobbies and interests
  • Travel time
  • Financial needs

You may need to make compromises when choosing a job, particularly when you are starting out. However, if a role would consistently leave you exhausted, overwhelmed or unable to manage important parts of your life, it may be worth considering whether another opportunity would suit you better.

Questions you might want to ask

You do not need to know everything before applying.

If something important is unclear, you can ask the employer or recruitment contact.

For example:

“Could you confirm the usual working hours for this role?”

“Is the role office-based, hybrid or remote?”

“Is the advertised salary based on full-time hours?”

“Is there any travel required as part of the role?”

“Could you tell me more about the training provided?”

Asking questions does not mean you are difficult. It can help you decide whether the role is suitable for you.

Before you apply: quick checklist

Before submitting an application, consider:

  • Do the working hours fit my circumstances?
  • Can I manage the commute and travel costs?
  • Do I understand the pay being offered?
  • Do I understand the type of contract or working arrangement?
  • Do I meet the essential requirements?
  • Do I understand what the job involves?
  • Does the working environment suit me?
  • Are there any benefits or terms that are important to me?
  • Do I need any reasonable adjustments?
  • Can I manage the demands of the role?
  • Would this job support or significantly affect my wellbeing?
  • Do I feel comfortable with the workplace culture?
  • Do I understand what support and training are available?
  • Are there any safety concerns I need to ask about?
  • Would the job fit alongside the rest of my life?
  • What would I like to gain from this experience?
  • Is there anything I need to ask the employer before applying?

Further information