Job Searching
Options for Benefits
Ready to start the post-college job search? All of the factors to consider can be overwhelming, from location to industry to salary. But with a little extra thought, you can make your life post-college much easier. Below are some benefits that you may want to consider or ask your potential employers about. Remember to decide what is most important to you when evaluating your job offers.
- Roth 401(k) accounts
- Financial advice
- Standing desks
- Onsite stress management programs
- Health savings accounts (HSAs)
- Gender reassignment surgery coverage
- Acupressure/acupuncture medical coverage
- Consumer-directed health care plans
- Paid parental leave
- Paid time off for volunteering
- Adoption and foster care assistance
- Pet insurance
When considering and negotiating your salary, you may also wish to consider the cost of living in that state. Check out Nerd Wallet's Cost of Living Calculator or MIT's living wage & annual salary calculator. The Economic Policy Institute also provides a very helpful Family Budget Calculator. You can even use this tool to compare the cost of living in two different locations.
Actions Once You Have a Job
Once you have your first job out of college and are earning a regular salary, there are a few things you should consider doing.
- Build up your emergency savings. With each paycheck, set aside enough money to cover 6-9 months of your average monthly expenses in the event of an emergency, such as a medical emergency or loss of your job. If possible, this should be separate from your other savings account(s).
- Clear or reduce your debt. Calculate your monthly expenses and ensure you pay off high-interest debt as soon as possible.
- Understand your insurance needs. Your ability to work is your biggest asset. This is why having the right insurance when you're young is critical.
- Start investing. Give your investments more time to ride out volatility in financial markets by investing early.
- Big-ticket expenses. Always budget for essential expenses before thinking about your wants.