Career Move Preferences

Having spent 7 years as an Executive Search consultant and a career advisor , I have seen such a wide range of preferences when you ask people where they would like to work.

Some of the key preferences that emerge from such conversations are as follows:

1) I want to work for an MNC

2) I want to work for companies that work 5 days a week

3) I want to work for a higher designation

4) I want to work in a senior corporate role

5) I want to work for a large firm or a firm of a particular size

Personally having worked with a range of companies including an Indian firm, a startup, a European firm and a US fortune 10 company during my career and subsequently having started our executive search and career advisory company, I feel I am positioned well to contribute my views on this entire topic of work preference and priorities.

So, what should a professional consider while looking for a change?

- Look for the companies which have their heart in the right place

- Look for companies which are value based and strong on governance

- Look for people oriented culture

- Look for companies with a meritocratic approach to career progression

- Look at the kind of people in the company- the boss, peers and juniors.

- Evaluate if the organization would give opportunities for growing and learning in different functions - horizontally or vertically

- Also, ascertain how is the firm’s current culture without putting too much emphasis on the company’s perception in the past.

While there is no right or wrong way of looking at these preferences while considering a change , this approach gives a long term point of view and possibly ensure longevity, learning and growth for a professional. Everything else can follow in due course of time as life is a marathon and not a 100m race!!

What are some of your views ?