When hunting for a job as a graduate it can be really tempting to accept the first offer you get, without giving it a second thought.
But this might not always be practical, especially when you factor in the time it takes to get to and from your new workplace.
Public transport up and down the country is constantly improving, however commuting for hours at a time is not for everyone, especially when you factor in ‘rush hour’.
As a result, it can be extremely beneficial to think things over before accepting the offer to ensure you do not end up committing yourself to something that is unpractical.
More time than you think
However long you think your commute might take you, in reality it will likely end up taking you a lot longer. Before you make a judgement, it is important to take into account a number of other factors that can have a huge impact on the length of your journey.
Problems often occur on railways and buses can often be delayed or cancelled, so you just never know whether everything will be running on time. Although being late once every so often might be acceptable with your employers, they may not look on it favourably if it is a regular occurrence.
Compromising your social life
If you are adding an extra hour or so on to your day at work just by travelling, the chances are that your social life is going to take a hit. Whilst it may not seem like a big deal straight away, missing out on a few drinks with your friends, a meal with your family, or any other evening activities will soon start to have an impact.
Having a strong work-life balance is a vital ingredient to performing well in the workplace, so it is important to think about just how much you are trading off.
Ready to work
It is important to remember that once you get to the office, you need to be able to work hard, perform and ultimately impress your new employer.
If you are going to end up looking and acting likely a zombie whilst at work because you are so tired and exhausted, then it is probably best to look elsewhere.
However, if the position offers plenty of career progression opportunities and the chance to develop your skill set, it might be the case that the benefits outweigh losing several hours of your day.
If you’re a graduate looking to kick-start your career, have a chat with Discovery Graduates and see how they can help get you started.
