Question: I’ve interviewed for a job and gotten an offer. There are a lot of great things about this job, but also some aspects I’m not crazy about. How do I know if I should accept or not?
Answer: Ultimately, you’re the only one who can decide if you want this job, but we can help by offering some perspective on what to look for in a job in Israel.
Work-life balance
Does this workplace expect you to work overtime, be available till late at night and take your computer with you even when you’re on vacation? Or are they more respectful of time off and expect you to spend time with family when you’re not at work? If you enjoy a fast-paced workplace and don’t need much downtime, you’ll thrive in the first type of office. But if you prefer to put more life into the work-balance equation, look for an employer with the same values.
Workplace vibe
When you visit the offices of a company and speak to the people that work there (potential bosses, HR professionals, acquaintances and anyone else you meet), you get a feel for the vibe of the workplace and whether you will fit in there. Do the employees represent a diverse cross-section of Israeli society or are they all similar in age, religious/secular affiliation, ethnicity etc.? Is there a feeling of tolerance and support for your lifestyle? What are the policies about things like kosher food in common areas or leaving work early to attend a protest?
Also take into account your personality and how important it is for you to feel comfortable in the workplace. If you’re more of a keep your head down and do your work kind of person, you are less likely to be affected by the office vibe. But if you’re the kind of person who enjoys socializing with coworkers at the water fountain or even outside the office, choose a job where the vibe aligns with yours.
Bosses and colleagues
It’s awesome to find a job where you love the people you will be working with. But it’s important to remember that anyone can quit or be fired, and you may find yourself working with totally different people than the ones that are currently there. So, while liking the people is certainly a factor, it shouldn’t be the main one (unless, of course, you really don’t want to work with the current bosses and colleagues).
Salary
The amount you’ll be paid at this job is, of course, of utmost importance. You want to ensure you’re being offered a salary that is commensurate with your experience and skills. You can’t do your best work if you feel undervalued.
Generally, you want to command a bigger salary than what you were getting at your previous job. But if this is your first job in Israel, you’re going to be working fewer hours or you are choosing more meaningful work, it’s OK to accept a lower salary. Make sure you can afford to live off the salary being offered.
Commute
How will you get to work and how long will it take you? How many days a week do you need to be in the office? Will you be traveling during rush hour or when traffic is better? Job burnout is much more likely if you’re adding a long commute onto an already lengthy day.
Vacation days
Israeli law mandates a minimum of 12 vacation days for a full-time employee, on top of the national holidays that are not work days. Depending on the sector you work in, the norm might be mandated vacation only, additional vacation days or even unlimited vacation. If you often visit family abroad, enjoy international travel or have young children with lots of days off from school, the amount of vacation days you get can be an important factor.
Sick days
A full-time employee can use up to 18 sick days a year. The more crucial question, though, is whether you are paid from day one or only from the second day onward. According to the law, the first day is unpaid, day two and three are 50% and full payment starts on day four. However, some employers offer full payment for all sick days, which is especially important if you use these days to care for sick children and want to split them with the other parent.
Job perks
Are there any job perks that are offered by this employer? Think food allowances, car leasing, private health insurance and Keren Hishtalmut (education fund). These perks can be worth a lot of money and are worth considering as additions to your salary.
At the end of the day, no job is perfect — every offer will have its pros and cons. The key is figuring out which factors matter most to you and whether this position checks enough of your boxes to make it worthwhile. Trust your instincts, weigh the realities, and remember: accepting a job isn’t a lifelong sentence. It’s just your next step — and it should be one that moves you closer to the life you want to build in Israel.
