Tips for Evaluating Career Opportunities

Dear Abby: I'm interviewing with a company and trying by best to do my due diligence - what can I do to make sure this is the right next step for me?! Never take a job "just to take it"; take it because you feel it is the right fit (culturally, current responsibilities, and long-term growth) for you. I want the excitement for the new opportunity to outweigh any anxiousness from starting a new position. Here are a few tips to make the best choice for your career! 1. Get a good read on the culture. Try and speak with more than one person if you can. I always like to ask why the interviewer enjoys working there and really listen to what they say - any red flags? Do they have passion behind what they're saying? If you're doing an in person interview, pay attention to the employees as you're walking through the office. Are they happy overall, enjoying each other and enjoying being there, or are they looking at you with pleading eyes that seem to be saying "get out while you still can!!" 2. Take some time before applying/interviewing for positions and really hone in on the top 3 most important things you're looking for in a new opportunity: commute, hybrid, management, having a good mentor, being a good mentor, working under a CPA, culture, work/life balance, industry, gaining certain experience, etc. Only you know what you want in your next position. Define those and be intentional in your job search to find the position that hits those main drivers. 3. The Back Door Approach. Dial in on where you realistically want to be in the next 5-10 years. What does that look like? Back into where you are currently and what you are interviewing for. Does this new opportunity put you on the right path to get you where you want to go? 4. Don't be afraid to ask questions or express your concerns (tactfully) during the interview process. If a company has poor reviews - ask them about it. Give them the chance to speak to those. If something was said by someone in an interview and it didn't resonate - ask them about it, get further clarity. You are interviewing them as much as they are you. Both parties (companies and candidates) want to find a good fit and it's better to either flush this out or get reaffirmed during the interview process than to find out 3 weeks in that it's not a good fit. 5. If something isn't sitting right, there is probably a reason. If you are trying to convince yourself that it's the right position, then it's probably not. "I mean I can do the work... the position is fine... the people are nice..." You aren't excited about it. Wait and find something that aligns with your long-term goals! Again - you want to feel so excited that this is the right next step for you! There will always be variability in a new position, but do what you can to feel as confident in the transition as you can. Grab a time with anyone at Prospex Recruiting to talk about your interviews/long-term goals more in depth! #hiring #dearabby #siliconslopes

You get two job offers that are virtually the same in salary, benefits, and career growth opportunities... how do you determine which one to pick? When faced with two job offers that are virtually the same in terms of salary, benefits, and career growth opportunities, there are several factors you can consider to help you make a decision. Here are some key points to evaluate: 1. Company Culture: Research and consider the company culture of each organization. Think about the work environment, values, and how well you would fit into each company's culture. Consider factors like work-life balance, team dynamics, and the overall atmosphere. 2. Job Responsibilities: Evaluate the specific job responsibilities and tasks associated with each offer. Consider which role aligns better with your skills, interests, and long-term career goals. Think about the potential for growth and learning opportunities within each position. 3. Commute and Location: Assess the location and commute requirements for each job. Evaluate the proximity to your home, transportation options, and the impact on your daily routine. A shorter commute can contribute to better work-life balance and reduced stress. 4. Work-Life Balance: Consider the expected work hours, flexibility, and the company's approach to work-life balance. Some organizations may offer more flexibility in terms of remote work, flexible hours, or other arrangements that can impact your overall quality of life. 5. Company Reputation and Stability: Research the reputation and stability of each company. Consider factors like financial health, industry standing, and long-term prospects. A company with a strong reputation and stability may provide more job security and growth opportunities. 6. Opportunities for Advancement: Evaluate the potential for career growth and advancement within each organization. Consider factors like promotional opportunities, training and development programs, and the overall track record of the company in supporting employee growth. 7. Gut Feeling and Personal Considerations: Trust your instincts and consider any personal factors that may influence your decision. Reflect on your personal goals, values, and the overall feeling you get from each job offer. Consider factors like potential colleagues, work environment, and how the job aligns with your long-term aspirations. By carefully evaluating these factors and weighing their importance to you, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your career goals, personal preferences, and overall well-being. It can also be helpful to discuss the offers with trusted mentors, friends, or family members who can provide valuable perspectives.

There are two schools of thought about how to transform your career. One is the traditional plan-and-implement approach. Reflect on what you're good at and what you want. Research what's out there based on your experience. Weigh the pros and cons of all options. Build and execute a plan to achieve your goal. This path has served many of us well, but for others, it's panic-inducing. The plan-and-execute approach assumes you know exactly what you want to do and who you want to become. For most of us, life is not linear, and our self-concept is not singular. We're interested in many career paths, so starting a journey toward one pre-determined destination might feel limiting. What if we choose the wrong destination? Think of all that wasted energy, time, and maybe even money and reputation. It's easy to see why many avoid career transformations even when wildly discontent. The second approach to career transformation—test-and-learn—is, in my view, more liberating. Rather than commit to one path upfront, you 'flirt with your possible selves' and explore new identities until you find one that aligns with your values, interests, and skills. So, what does the test-and-learn approach look like in practice? ✍ Make a list of all the possible careers you might explore. Ask yourself, "What if?" and "Would I enjoy doing X? Could I be good at Y? Would I be able to make a living doing Z?" What intrigues you? Think broadly about the range of possibilities. What did you long to do or be when you were a child? What are you afraid to put out into the universe but secretly dream of? Write it down. ✍ Next, review the list and identify the fastest, lowest-cost experiments to try first. Remember, you're not making a complete career change. These experiments could be a side project, a temporary assignment, a new credential, taking a course, or doing advisory work at a nonprofit. Or, keep it simple—network with people in a new field, talk to recruiters in the industries you're interested in or write every day for 10 minutes for a year. The key is to start somewhere small and learn as you go. ✍ Know what you're going to measure. Determine what you'll evaluate and what data you'll collect to help you refine your choices further over time. ✍ Inventory your fears. What are you most afraid of? The goal is not to overcome your fears while experimenting but to note when they surface. I don't want to oversimplify career transformation—there's more to it than the above steps imply. Eventually, you need a more decisive plan. And, examining your assumptions, narrative, network, non-negotiables, identity, and values are all essential parts of the process. But the above steps, based on Herminia Ibarra's work, are a helpful starting point if you feel stuck.  Need support from a coach who will keep you accountable? Let's chat: https://lnkd.in/gffzAPEW #careertransformation #careerchange