All jobs pay you for your time. But having a job is a very expensive way to make money.
Consider that most of your personal expenses are paid with post-tax earnings. Your income is limited if you are paid based upon salary. You must put in 40+ hours per week regardless of output. You cannot diversify your income, as full time employment is generally exclusive.
To offset the high cost of having a job, you may only want to consider opportunities that feature one or more of the following benefits:
1. Work directly for an amazing manager.
An amazing manager will help to develop you by building on your strengths, identifying and stabilizing weaknesses, and providing guidance regarding career goals. This investment in you will pay off every day for the rest of your career. Think of it like an annuity.
2. Develop new and valuable skills learned on-site.
Developing new skills will increase the number of opportunities where you can deliver value, both to employers and, potentially, your own clients. New skills will also allow you to potentially earn more or at least act as an income hedge.
3. Connect with a network of top performers.
The workplace of great companies attracts the best. These professionals are at the top of their respective fields due to their skills and results. Being around the best raises everyone’s game. Additionally, these people are the folks you will want to call when presented with a professional challenge later on.
4. Meet new customers or get exposure to new markets.
Getting paid to meet new customers or get exposure to new markets can result in an incredible return on invested time. In many cases, it would be completely cost prohibitive to try to do this work on your own.
As you look for your next great opportunity, I hope that you consider the non-monetary value associated with the role. It may end up being worth far more than the salary.
Written by: Austin Meyermann, Founder and President of Hunter Crown, LLC
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