There are 168 hours in a week. For many of us, at least 40 hours of that week are spent at work. This doesn’t include the time we spend outside of the office working from home, commuting to and from the workplace, or the other aspects of our job that persist after the work day.

It’s no surprise that when looking for a job a primary consideration is the income we will receive from holding the occupation. However, since a quarter of our week is spent working, shouldn’t we hold other aspects of the job important as well? Here are a few other factors to consider:

Employee Benefits. While income is important there are monetary-based employee benefits that affect our income. Some examples of employee benefits are:

• Retirement Plan/ Employer Contributions such as a 401k or 403b

• Health Insurance

• Health Savings Account (HSA)

• Flexible Spending Plan (FSA)

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Life Insurance

• Disability Insurance

• Long-term Care Insurance

• Paid Holidays, Paid Vacation, & Sick Leave

• Paid Leave (voting, jury duty, maternity, sick)

• Bonuses

• Tuition Assistance/ Reimbursement

• Childcare

• Community Discounts

• Gym Membership

Company Culture. How do you fit within the company’s culture? Is the company constantly evolving and seeking change or is the company rooted in well-proven routines? Is there pressure on results, emphasis on inter-company friendships, flexibility, etc.? Knowing what kind of company culture you want to surround yourself with can greatly influence your experience.

Mission and Values. Because a quarter of your week is spent at your job, consider seeking a company whose mission and values you stand behind and are passionate about.

Responsibility Fit. Your job role should fit the amount and type of responsibility you want to take on.

Growth and Long Term Focus. Think about some of your goals you have set for yourself. Does the job help or hinder you from those goals. Is it providing growth opportunities or experience for where you might want to be in a few years? Does it allow for the travel goals you have set for yourself? How about family considerations? Remember that your job doesn’t just affect your present but may affect future opportunities.

Enjoyment. Is the job enjoyable? This may seem obvious, but is the job draining or fulfilling? Is being happy in your job important to you?

There are numerous factors to consider when looking for a job other than income such as those listed, but there are also those that were not mentioned such as commute, flexible work hours, or the company’s financial stability and reputation. Not every consideration is important to everyone, but remember that a job is more than a paycheck.