Look beyond the pay cheque for a smarter choice in your career

Our job will occupy the biggest portion of our waking hours and will contribute in large measure to our comfort and happiness. It makes sense to invest in choosing smartly each time. Here’s how to do it.

Your future

What’s your definition of long-term success? Take a weekend off to figure out the long-term dreams and requirements from your career that matter to you. Don’t do this exercise when you are hard pressed for time. Unless you have a broad vision of your future career trajectory, you may end up taking jobs based on short-term considerations like money or commute time. This will lead to many unrelated or temporary jobs on your CV that could destroy your future. To evaluate a particular job against your long-term growth – ask yourself what the next role is likely to be after this one and thereafter where will that lead to.

Employer

We all put in a lot of research into choosing a cell phone, car or planning a vacation, right. Consider similar or more efforts into researching a future employer. What is the size and stability of the company? What has been its history and how well known is it in the industry? What is the market positioning and what do employees and customers think about it? Make sure you also speak to people. Large brand names and established 50- year old companies are great on a resume and for future jobs search. Start-ups and small firms, on the other hand, offer greater responsibilities, accelerated growth and higher upside. What is more important to you? Decide based on your priority.

Gains

Look at the short-term benefits. Most professionals place undue importance on the quantum of salary offered. Apart from the difference from your current compensation, compare it with industry standards. Check for add-ons like an incentive structure, average increments and increment dates, insurance policy, and reimbursements. For non-monetary or lifestyle benefits check for leave policy, company accommodation/transport, and flexi-timings. Decide on considerations that make a difference to you.

Pains

For a rational short-term analysis, look at the cost side of your decision. What impact will this choice have on your time, expenses and thus your savings? What are the working hours like, how long is the commute and how often do you have to travel? All of these keep you away from personal activities. Will you have to relocate or spend more on travel, or taxes? Will the move impact your children’s education and costs? Can you afford the costs involved in time and money and yet meet your savings target?

Success

Evaluate your chances of success in new role. What are the tangible expectations from the role in terms of targets? What are the intangible expectations from the role? Do these challenges excite you? Are you someone energised by the idea of being the first one to solve an undefined problem or do you prefer structured roles exploiting one skill? Use your own definition of success to evaluate.

Growth

The next criterion is the growth and learning potential from the job you are evaluating. Know that learning can come from an individual, from the role, from the work environment or from the company’s position and aspirations in the market. Where do you want to be in five years’ time in terms of knowledge and skills and how will the new company, management, team, boss or role help you bridge that gap?

Happiness

Lastly, don’t ignore daily satisfaction as a criterion. Your enthusiasm and energy levels at a workplace will depend on the company culture, people and your personal values. Ask around to get an idea of what the work environment is like and if individuals are trusted, recognised and rewarded for results. Finally, consider if the company does meaningful work that aligns with your personal ethics and values and thus adds purpose to your life.

P.S- Do leave your comments, questions, and suggestions on what would you like to hear more about from us. Don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn. To hire us as your career Coach, you may contact us at hello@careerbuddy.net.in.