You have a passion to help people through physical therapy. Graduation is either quickly approaching or you have graduated and you’re feeling paralyzed about what to do next. Picking the right workplace is a daunting task. You want to find the sweet spot—comfortable environment, friendly coworkers, and adequate workflow that doesn’t lead to burnout—but how do you find that?

This process doesn’t have to be a mystery, but it will take some thought, patience, and effort. Putting the work in now will leave you feeling more satisfied with your first job and will put you on the path you desire for your future. Below are some key factors to consider when evaluating physical therapy jobs.

1. Know what you want

Before you start hunting for jobs, you need to know what kind of jobs you’re looking for. There are many different types of PT. What are you passionate about? Maybe a particular body system appeals to you—would you rather work with the brain or bones? The heart and lungs or joints? It’s important to know what kinds of people you want to work with—do you prefer children, the elderly, or a mix of people? Perhaps you would like to explore the world; consider a travel job. Answering these questions will help you find a good starting point. But remember, you’re not committing to this company for the rest of your life. Use this job as a way to explore some options if you’re not sure. See this job as a learning opportunity. Learn as much as you can and move on if it’s not right for you.

2. Research companies

As you explore PT jobs, researching the companies is vital. This will help you feel more confident going into interviews and will keep you from wasting the interviewer’s time. Examine the company’s website, read their vision statement, look at the staff bios. Ask around. Does this seem like a place you want to work? Get a feel for their philosophy of care—does it match up with yours? How do they treat one another in the workplace? Do they have any reviews on Glassdoor? What about their patient reviews—are they generally positive? If not, ask questions about what the management is doing to improve them.

3. Network … with caution

Networking is vital to finding a job. Tell everyone you know exactly what kind of job you’re looking for. Give them your contact information so that they will know how to reach you if they hear about an opening. However, don’t assume that their recommendations will be your dream job. If they only used the physical therapy office as a patient, they may not know how dysfunctional the place could be for an employee. Networking is important, but you still need to do some legwork to ensure that the places they recommend are places where you want to work.

4. Know where to look for openings

There are plenty of online job search websites with PT jobs available. Start by setting up a profile on LinkedIn. It’s great for networking by connecting you with hiring managers and employees of companies you may be interested in. LinkedIn will also flag any mutual connections you may have, which may get you a foot in the door. Follow companies you’re interested in and read their blogs and posts to get a feel for their personality and philosophy.

When you’re ready to start interviewing, upload your resume to sites like Zip Recruiter and Indeed. You can customize your searches to find the jobs your looking for in the areas you want to live in. Check your notifications settings so that you’re getting notified right away about new openings.

5. Manage expectations

Once you get to the interview process, you need to start thinking about factors regarding specific jobs. How realistic are your expectations? Remember that if this is your first job out of school, you will have the least seniority. You should expect to work later hours and, depending on the setting, some holidays. As you gain experience and prove that you are a trustworthy employee, you will eventually earn better hours and be able to work in an environment that’s closer to your ideal. But don’t expect that early on.

Your boss will also have expectations of you. Ask what they are! Do they value punctuality? Do they expect good bedside manner? Do they frown on too much conversation with the patients? What kind of management style do they have? If you’re deep into the interview process, ask if they would allow you to observe for a day before making a final decision. The best way to manage expectations is to know what they are before you take the job.

6. Observe the work environment

What kind of environment do you like to work in? Do you want to work in a hospital or a small practice? Is the office clean and organized? Would you prefer to work downtown or in a rural area? You may not get your ideal work environment in your first job, but you want to minimize the things that will make you want to quit after just a few weeks.

7. Learn what systems they use

Are you familiar with the types of software the office uses? Do they offer anything other than physical therapy? How many patients will you be expected to see in a typical day or week? How do they schedule vacation time? Knowing the systems they use in advance will help you determine if this is the right workplace for you.

8. Ask about training and continuing education

How long will your training period be? Is it paid? What does it entail? How quickly will you be left on your own? Remember, most people feel overwhelmed when starting a new job. Not all companies are great at onboarding new employees, so asking questions about training will help them to think about things they may have missed and will pave the way toward early job satisfaction. Talk to other physical therapists and keep up with trends in the industry so that if their training is lacking a bit, it won’t trip you up.

Being a physical therapist, you will need to keep up on all the latest technology and advancements in the industry. Will your employer pay for some of your continuing education? If not, you will want to factor that into your budget.

When evaluating PT jobs, remember that you want this to be a good fit for both of you. Be honest about any concerns you may have. Go into your job search knowing what you want. Do your research to minimize surprises. You have put in a lot of time, money, and effort to get to where you are. Don’t drop the ball at this stage in the game. Be patient, do the leg work, and you will find the right job that will put you on the path to a satisfying career in physical therapy.