It can be difficult to find a job, even as a skilled worker. So there might be a few doing a double take when we tell you not to jump at the first opportunity you’re offered. As a contractor, you’re getting in a line of work that needs a lot of skill and care. If your next employer doesn’t offer the same, you should consider the offer carefully.

They have training opportunities for you

As a skilled contractor, working on your specialization is important. But you need to think about the overall scope of your career. You might want to start your own business, which requires a certain level of overall knowledge. You might simply want to increase the potential of what jobs you can do. Either way, ongoing training should be a part of your career path from your very first job offer. Don’t let anyone pigeonhole you into one responsibility. That’s how you stagnate. Keep that up and you’ll find it harder to keep climbing in your career.

They don’t have respect for your needs

Besides training, employees have some very vital needs. Needs like a respectful, healthy and safe workplace. If the workplace seems hostile, it’s sign of a boss who doesn’t know how to handle people properly. More important, however, is your safety. Contracting can be a dangerous job involving some very powerful tools. You need to make sure that you’re dealing with safe machinery. Does the boss seem to neglect to put care into maintaining and inspecting their equipment? Then you shouldn’t touch that job with a ten-foot barge pole.

They want you to stay

In contracting work, you might be used to the idea of people heading from one business venture to the next. It’s good to stay flexible. But you should be wary of employers who don’t seem to care how fixed a place is, or who comes and goes. Retention is important to a business owner for a couple reasons. It costs a lot less than hiring for one. So poor retention can be the sight of a financially incompetent employer. But it also shows an employer who isn’t as likely to show as much concern for job satisfaction if they’re willing to let you go as soon as a problem arises.

They don’t play favourites

In contracting, you might end up doing a lot of work with a small team. It’s not unheard of for employers to have their sons and other family members on the team as well. However, there’s a boundary between a family business and pure nepotism. If you’re concerned that family members or any other staff are shown considerable favouritism, you might want to stay away. Any disputes that arise might be likely to end up not in your favour. That’s not a positive working environment by any stretch of the imagination.

You can’t afford to go with anyone who offers position in this business. They might endanger your career, your health, and even your life if you’re not careful. As important as working is, so is working in the right place.

This post has been contributed by Ryan Gatt, it may contain affiliate links.