What should you look for when you’re on the hunt for a better job or career? For many jobseekers, weighing a potential opening starts and ends with the pay rate. It makes sense in a lot of ways — after all, if the compensation is good, it can’t be that bad, can it?

The realities of the workplace are more complex than that, however. The business world is full of places where employees draw big paychecks and nice perks, but they dread coming to work each day (roughly 25% of employees, according to a new poll from SHRM).

Considering you’ll spend a third of your life at your desk (virtual or otherwise) — about 90,000 hours, give or take — it pays to dig a little deeper and understand the culture and benefits offered by a prospective company.

What things should you look for in a great employer? Here are five to consider. 

1. Opportunities for advancement

One of the main things that distinguishes a job from a career is the potential for growth. From professional development to leadership opportunities, great employers know the importance of continual education and promoting employees in building a strong company culture.

For employees and jobseekers, free educational opportunities are among the most valuable perks you can find today. Opportunities for advancement to look for when evaluating potential employers include: 

• Tuition or certification reimbursement (ideally with no cap on tuition spending).
• Leadership development programs.
• Clear and transparent career path options.
• Mentoring opportunities.
• Support for training, certifications and attending industry conferences.

Many of these advancement benefits are available here at UFG Insurance.  

2. Flexible work arrangements

While flexible and remote work arrangements used to be rare outside of big companies, more and more employers are coming around to the idea as employees demand better work-life balance. 

The best employers offer flexible, hybrid or remote work arrangements, along with generous paid time off, parental leave and other perks that give employees more ability to decide how and when to get their work done.

Here at UFG, flexible work arrangements are commonplace across the enterprise, from underwriting to claims, marketing, finance and more. It’s part of our employee-based mission to support work-life balance, and we believe in empowering our employees through trust, one of our core values.  

Learn more about UFG’s flexible work arrangements.

3. A wellness-focused culture

Considering that you spend a third of your waking hours at work, it makes sense to work somewhere that prioritizes your health and well-being, now and into the future. While so much of our well-being depends on the personal choices we make, from our diets to working out, great employers know that a supportive and health-minded culture can help employees stay on the right track.

Programs and initiatives to look for include:

• On-site gyms or reimbursements for fitness activities and classes.
• Wellness programs that can help monitor your health, help you lose weight or quit smoking.
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) that provide access to expert help when needed.
• Regular events or sessions on elements of wellness.
• Sit-stand desks, treadmill desks or other active office furniture.
• A casual dress code that allows you to dress for your day.

Not only do we have a podcast on all such things here at UFG we are dedicated to supporting our employee’s mental and physical well-being. 

Read more about our fulfilling careers.

4. Volunteering and community service

Great employers aren’t just focused internally — they also give their employees the support and tools they need to improve the communities where they live.

As a jobseeker, check out what organizations or initiatives your potential employer supports, and consider how those fit into your personal values. You may scan the company’s social media pages or their website to learn more about what organizations they prioritize and engage with. 

Many companies even have a section of their website dedicated to their vision, mission and values where you can learn more about their founding principles, core values and the company’s mission.

You may sense a common theme here, but at UFG we offer a promise of support to our communities — in fact, it’s even part of our mission. We also give each employee two full days of community service hours to use however they see fit. 

Beyond that, we’re proud to recognize those who go above and beyond through our Go Beyond Award in remembrance of former president and CEO Scott McIntyre, Jr. Each year, UFG awards one employee and one partner-agency employee with a trophy and a $5,000 donation to the nonprofit of their choice to honor their outstanding contributions to communities. 

5. Great financial benefits 

Most of these points focus on the cultural things that make an employer great, but benefits relating to your financial security are some of the most important considerations when it comes to evaluating job opportunities. 

The best employers work hard to provide their employees with financial tools that can help them feel more secure in their lives. Good things to look for include:

• A 401(k) savings plan (ideally with a company match) and/or pension plan.
• Health savings account (HSA) and flex spending account (FSA) programs (ideally with a company match).
• Life and disability insurance.
• Employee referral and performance bonuses.
• Reimbursement for office furniture purchased for home offices.

Learn more about financial security at UFG by reading over our benefits here. 

Making your decision

Accepting a new job or taking a new career path is one of the biggest decisions you'll make in life, so make sure you're choosing a company or organization that's invested in your success and well-being.

Here at UFG Insurance, we've created a culture centered on success, and based on core values that guide us to do business and treat one another the right way over the past 75 years. If you share our same vision, we'd love to partner with you.

Read more about our careers and apply online today!