For many, taking on a job seems like an isolated event. The decision is often made based on the offer and what it means immediately to the person’s financial and professional satisfaction. Although these are critical factors, every job should contribute to the larger picture of where you see your career going over the entire professional life.
Doing so can be tricky when early into the career and landing a job — any job — is an accomplishment. But even with this challenge, it is important not to take too many uncalculated steps, because that is the time to set the tone for where you want to be going.
Wherever you are in your career, here are some points to consider when accepting a new job to make sure not to take a wrong turn career-wise.
Is it a move up?
If you want to advance, make sure that each step or a new job takes you forward. That doesn’t mean that every job has to be offer something more senior in terms of title. In many cases, a job that requires more skills or opens the door to learn and receive better training and opportunities is a step forward.
That is why when considering a job, look at what the job is exactly about. Ask questions during the interview about specific duties, the chain of command in decision making, and what the role enables you to do exactly. If it appears to be a situation where you will be able to get more powers or better opportunities for learning and advancing, it is a good position to move to. If it seems to be a parallel position to what you currently do, ask what yourself what can be gained from the move.
Employer type
Jobs are not isolated from employers. If you’re trying to build your career within a certain niche, stick with employers serving this niche. For example, some people build their career within government agencies. Others work for multinationals, while many target start-ups.
It is not only about the employer’s name or type. It is also about the consistency of resources and practices. If you want to maintain and grow your knowledge in a particular area, and to have the right resources and support, make sure when you switch employers you are looking carefully at the new employer’s profile, scale and resources. Again, based on professional preferences, you may be looking at different aspects of what the employer can and may offer.
Opportunity to advance
It doesn’t make a lot of professional sense that you move to a job that leads to a dead-end. Although taking a different job in a couple of years is always an option, do look closely at the structure and hierarchy you’re moving into and where your position will fall. If it appears that turnover happens around your role and higher positions are static, that is probably a place where you don’t have a chance of climbing up the ladder.
It is a matter of deciding whether you want to take a short- to medium-term job there or not. If the opportunity that you’re seeking offers a lot of growth in itself, it may be worthwhile regardless. If it is similar to your current position or slightly more advanced, it may make sense not to pursue it any further.
Compromises along the way
If your focus is to build your career rather than just get a good job today, you have to make some key decisions that might involve some compromises. For example, you may refuse to relocate to an area where the concentration of employers in your field is low. Similarly, you may at certain point turn down an attractive job offer to stay with your current job despite the fact that you won’t see it payoff until several years in the future.
These conscious compromises help you stay on track and avoid distractions that waste precious time. When you focus on building the career, there will be a stage when great opportunities coupled with decent remuneration will come along. It only takes patience and persistence.
The writer, a former Gulf News Business Features Editor, is a Seattle-based editor.
Build your career
Set a plan for your goals.
Avoid random job changes.
Make some compromises.
Study a new job and employer carefully.
R.O.
