When you are considering changing careers, it is important to decide what you wish to do and what expectations you have. Are you seeking something that will provide personal satisfaction? Are you seeking a large salary? Or is a good benefits package your main priority? What will give you the most satisfaction? Determining your expectations is just the first step.

If money is your highest priority, it is important to understand that there are many different ways to look at salary. For instance, if you find a job, which is offering you $80,000 per year without benefits, you may be better served with a job offering $50,000 per year with a full benefits package. Having medical, dental and eye care covered can mean a great deal to you. One trip to the hospital can cost well in excess of the $30,000 difference in salary. But it is equally important to understand whether you will be paying part of the coverage and whether there are deductibles. How much will it cost if you need a family plan?

And do not forget to compare the sick time and paid time off. Some companies are very generous with their employees, as they understand that employees do sometimes catch the flu, water pipes burst or family members need you. Be sure you understand company policies concerning time off, if the company has a no tolerance policy you could find yourself quickly dissatisfied. Some companies also offer short term and long term disability to cover you if you cannot work. They may also offer life insurance. Be sure that you are aware of any probation periods before your benefits begin.

Vacation time is equally important. You will need to inquire how much time you will have and whether you get more time after you have been with the company for a while. You also need to know what the rules are. It does not help you to have four weeks vacation if the only time you can take it is in February and your kids have summer vacation from school.

Most companies no longer offer retirement packages but may offer 401K Plans. Of course, there are also rules, which govern those plans. Some companies match dollar for dollar whatever you place in the account, others may not add any funds to your account.

So you see, a job that offers you a huge salary but does not offer benefits may not be the prize you first thought. Likewise the job that seemed nice, but did not offer as much money, may be the best choice if the benefits are good. Of course, it all depends on what is important to you.

If you are looking to climb the ladder, it may be beneficial to you to have a high paying job on your resume, whether it comes with benefits or not. One example of those types of jobs may be coaching careers. It may be necessary to start small, and build a resume of experience.  The type of job you are looking for may determine what criteria you set for your expectations.