What are the best ways to compare career advancement options?

When comparing career advancement options, focus on alignment with your long-term goals, the potential for skill development, and work-life balance. Consider the compensation and benefits offered, along with the company culture and job security. Evaluate how each option supports networking and mentorship opportunities, which are crucial for future growth. Reflect on your passion for the role and the impact you’ll have. Finally, seek advice from mentors and peers, and research market trends to ensure your decision aligns with both personal and professional aspirations.

Assessing your current situation is the foundation of career design. I encourage professionals to conduct a thorough life audit, examining not just their professional achievements, but their values, passions, and overall well-being. This holistic approach often reveals unexpected insights. I've found that using tools like energy mapping and workview reflections can illuminate hidden patterns and desires. By understanding where you truly are, you create a solid launchpad for exploring where you want to go.

Market data is key here. Whether it's Jobs EQ by Chmura Economics of Lightcast, these resources are critical to use when identifying the market for your skills.

The willing and able function in JobsEQ or the KnackApp can identify potential new industry or job functions for one to pursue. Asking your network is a great option too. The time to start looking for your next job is day one of your current job.

Evaluating options requires a multi-faceted approach. I guide professionals to consider not just salary and title, but how each option aligns with their core values, contributes to personal growth, and impacts overall life satisfaction. To structure this evaluation, I often use decision matrices that incorporate both objective and subjective criteria. I encourage paying attention to emotional responses as well. How does each option make you feel? Excited? Anxious? Indifferent? These gut reactions often provide valuable insights.

Decision matrix is a good option to list the attributes and assign weights to the decision criteria. There are many paths to get to a desired outcome.

Career coaches and mentors are critical in making the final decision. If your network is not as deep an area as it should be, then start conducting informational interviews with people you want to know.

Seeking feedback and advice is crucial, but it is an art. I encourage the creation of a diverse "personal board of directors" - mentors, peers, and even constructive critics. However, I also stress the importance of filtering advice through one's own values and intuition. I've witnessed how valuable outside perspectives can be, but also how they can sometimes cloud one's inner wisdom if not balanced carefully. The goal is to strike a balance between being open to external wisdom and staying grounded in your own truth. It's about gathering a wealth of perspectives to inform your decisions, while ultimately trusting yourself to make choices that align with your authentic self and aspirations.

A consulting project in a new organization or industry would be an ideal step to test the waters before making a leap. So many gig workers are doing this to expand their income, you can do the same with your career.

A visual board is a transformative tool that can help you map out your career advancement options. -Firstly, it provides a clear and organized way to visualize your goals and the different paths you can take. By mapping out your options, you can easily see the pros and cons of each and make informed decisions. -Secondly, a visual board helps you track your progress and stay motivated. As you move forward in your career, you can update the board to reflect your accomplishments and adjust your roadmap accordingly. -Lastly, it's a great communication tool. You can share your visual board with mentors or colleagues for valuable insights and guidance.