You're considering a new job in Business Intelligence. How do you choose the right employer?

1 Assess the BI maturity

One of the first things to consider is how mature and developed the BI function is in the organization. A mature BI function means that the organization has a clear vision, strategy, and governance for BI, as well as a dedicated team, budget, and infrastructure. A mature BI function also implies that the organization values data-driven culture, innovation, and collaboration. Working for a mature BI employer can give you access to more resources, support, and recognition, as well as opportunities to learn from experts and work on complex and impactful projects. However, it can also mean more competition, pressure, and expectations. On the other hand, working for an immature BI employer can give you more autonomy, creativity, and influence, as well as opportunities to shape the BI function and lead change. However, it can also mean more challenges, frustrations, and risks. You need to decide what level of maturity suits your preferences, strengths, and ambitions.

2 Explore the BI scope

Another thing to consider is how broad and diverse the BI scope is in the organization. The BI scope refers to the range and variety of data sources, tools, techniques, and outputs that the BI function handles. A broad BI scope means that the organization collects and analyzes data from multiple internal and external sources, uses various BI tools and platforms, applies different BI techniques such as data mining, machine learning, or predictive analytics, and delivers different BI outputs such as dashboards, reports, or visualizations. A broad BI scope can give you more exposure, flexibility, and growth, as well as opportunities to learn new skills and work on different projects. However, it can also mean more complexity, uncertainty, and demands. A narrow BI scope means that the organization focuses on a few data sources, tools, techniques, and outputs that are relevant and reliable for its core business. A narrow BI scope can give you more depth, stability, and expertise, as well as opportunities to master your skills and work on specialized projects. However, it can also mean more monotony, rigidity, and limitations. You need to decide what level of scope matches your interests, abilities, and career goals.

3 Compare the BI benefits

A third thing to consider is how attractive and competitive the BI benefits are in the organization. The BI benefits refer to the rewards and incentives that the BI function offers to its employees. These can include salary, bonuses, stock options, health insurance, retirement plan, vacation time, education allowance, career development, recognition, feedback, mentorship, networking, work-life balance, and more. A generous BI benefits package can give you more satisfaction, motivation, and loyalty, as well as opportunities to improve your financial, physical, and mental well-being. However, it can also mean more trade-offs, obligations, and compromises. A modest BI benefits package can give you more freedom, autonomy, and challenge, as well as opportunities to pursue your passions, values, and aspirations. However, it can also mean more stress, uncertainty, and sacrifice. You need to decide what level of benefits meets your needs, expectations, and career goals.

4 Research the BI culture

A final thing to consider is how compatible and supportive the BI culture is in the organization. The BI culture refers to the norms, values, and behaviors that shape the BI function and its interactions with other functions and stakeholders. A positive BI culture means that the organization fosters a data-driven mindset, encourages curiosity, innovation, and collaboration, respects diversity and inclusion, and promotes transparency, accountability, and ethics. A positive BI culture can give you more engagement, trust, and belonging, as well as opportunities to contribute, learn, and grow. However, it can also mean more responsibility, conflict, and change. A negative BI culture means that the organization lacks a data-driven vision, discourages creativity, experimentation, and teamwork, ignores diversity and inclusion, and tolerates opacity, bias, and misconduct. A negative BI culture can give you more security, comfort, and conformity, as well as opportunities to avoid, cope, and survive. However, it can also mean more dissatisfaction, distrust, and isolation. You need to decide what level of culture aligns with your personality, values, and career goals.

Choosing the right BI employer can make a big difference in your career success and happiness. By considering these four factors, you can narrow down your options and find the best fit for you. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and you may have to compromise on some aspects. The key is to prioritize what matters most to you and be flexible and adaptable to different situations.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?