Last time my blog was about knowing
when it is time for a job change. Being interested in a new opportunity is one
thing, choosing the right opportunity is whole different story.
When exploring new job opportunities,
it’s important to realize as of the start that the grass is never greener on
the other side. It is merely a different shade of green.
There are no tests that can
guarantee that you will like a particular shade of green better but these 5
tips can help you in determining whether an opportunity is worth pursuing.
- Determine your requirements
When a company drafts a job
specification, they spent a lot of time defining what type of candidate they
need. As a jobseeker, you can do a similar thing. Take a close look at what
really matters to you. Are you looking for a job close to home? Is your main
priority the opportunity to grow and to learn? Are you looking for a position
that will allow a good work/life balance or do you want to travel frequently? Are
you open to relocate?
You can use these requirements to
evaluate an opportunity in an objective way.
- Explore the company culture
The importance of a cultural fit
may sound like a cliché but it will determine the success of a job change.
Assessing a company culture is never easy as it evolves around unspoken rules
and ways of working.
I would be stating the obvious when
I tell you to do some research: review the website, have a look at the values,
read employer reviews. Close observation however will reveal a whole lot more
information: how do they treat you at the reception, are the employees that you
meet in the corridors talking to each other, are office doors closed or open.
You can also see glimpses of company culture in the types of questions you are
being asked…
- See how you connect with your boss and with the team.
Having your DNA match the company
culture is important for long-term success. Having a connection with your
future boss and feeling at home in the team is imperative to be successful as
of the start. It all comes down to chemistry. You must be able to walk out with the feeling
that you will be able to find your unique spot in the team and that your
manager will get the best out of you. Take your time to get to know your future
boss by making it a two-way conversation. Ask if you can meet the other team
members.
- Money isn’t all that matters
Tempting as it may be to accept a
job for the salary increase or a bigger car, having money play a decisive role
in your decision-making is never a good idea. After a while the extra money or
the full option car will loose its motivational force.
However, when you have found an
opportunity that meets all your criteria, make sure that you get paid what you
are worth and that you feel happy with the compensation package. Once you have
accepted an offer, there is no room for renegotiating.
- Follow your gut
This is probably the most important
tip. If it does not feel right, if you have doubts during the selection
process…take your time to find the answers. Trust your intuition when you need
to decide whether to continue the process or to drop out. It is usually a very
good guide.
Over the next few weeks I will be
digging deeper into each of the tips. So let me know if you have any comments
or remarks…they will, as always, be great food for thought.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Isabel
Through a personalized and
tailor-made approach, Ingenium Executive Search aspires to assist you in
attracting the right talent that matches the DNA of your company
Follow me on Twitter
@IngeniumSearch
