Identify Your Priorities Before Any Career Decision

As you navigate through different stages of life and career, your needs, desires, preferences, and what you consider "non-negotiable" can shift dramatically.

Before you change jobs, accept an offer, take on new responsibilities, or pivot into a new role, reevaluate your priorities to be sure they're in alignment with this next big step in your career.

1. Salary Expectations

Salary is often the first thing most people think about when pursuing a new job or a promotion, but there are a few different angles to consider:

• Baseline Requirements: What is the minimum salary you would accept if all other aspects of the job were absolutely perfect? This helps set your baseline.
• Industry Standards: What salary range is reasonable within your industry and for your level of experience? Given your knowledge of the industry and what you make now, what salary do you expect to be offered for the kind of role you’re considering?
• Personal Significance: Beyond making enough money to live comfortably, saving for retirement, and having some spending cash leftover, how important is maximizing your salary to you? Your lifestyle needs and financial goals will change over time, so your answer may be different now than it once was.

2. Practicalities

Your daily work environment and schedule can greatly influence your job satisfaction:

• Location Preferences: Do you prefer to work fully remote, within a specific distance from home, or are you open to a hybrid setting?
• Flexibility and Balance: What does an ideal work-life balance look like to you in terms of hours per week, flexible working, and vacation time?
• Relocation and Commute: Under what circumstances would you consider relocating or commuting further than preferred?

3. Recognition and Career Progression

The title and recognition you receive can affect your career trajectory and position within the organization:

• Expected Title: What seniority, title, or rank do you aim to achieve in your next role?
• Opportunities: How crucial is upward mobility for you in your next role? How frequently do you expect promotions and raises?
• Compromises: Are there circumstances under which you would accept a role without your desired title or ability to move up?

4. Job Satisfaction and Alignment with Values

Your sense of purpose and alignment with personal values play a key role in long-term job satisfaction:

• Supporting Causes: How important is it for your role at work to support specific groups, causes, or charities?
• Company Culture: Are there specific industries or companies you prefer or wish to avoid based on their mission or practices?
• Past Experiences: Reflect on what you liked or disliked in previous roles, as this can guide what you seek or avoid in future jobs.

5. Employer Preferences

Depending on your role within the company and personal preferences, the characteristics of the employer itself may be an important factor.

• Company Size: What is your preferred company size? Consider this in the terms that matter to you most, such as number of employees, number of customers, annual revenue, etc.
• Industry Type: What kinds of products, services, or accounts do you prefer to work with? Is there a specific sector you prefer to focus on?
• Business Type: Do you have a preference for the type of organization you work for? Your options may include startups, non-profits, publicly traded companies, privately owned businesses, multinationals, B2C (Business to Consumer), B2B (Business to Business), or government organizations. Each type offers unique cultures, growth opportunities, and operational nuances.

6. Benefits

Don't be fooled by whatever the company cites as your "Total Compensation" when given a job offer. The only non-salary benefits that matter are the ones that are important to you.

Consider which benefits are required, nice-to-have, and meaningless to you:

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• 401(k) / Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Parental Leave
• VISA / Immigration Sponsorship Relocation Benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Travel Compensation
• Continuing Education Opportunities

7. Your Career Values

As you evaluate a new opportunity, understand what matters most to you. Consider ranking the following factors according to your personal priorities. This exercise will help you make informed decisions that align with your core values.

• Competitive and Fair Salaries: Everyone is compensated fairly for their skills and experience.
• Company Mission and Sense of Purpose: The company mission resonates with your personal values.
• Company and Team Culture: The company environment fits your personality and work style.
• Approachable Leadership: Leadership that is accessible and supportive.
• Effective Management: You're part of a team with strong, strategic leadership.
• Autonomy: You have the freedom to shape your work and decisions.
• Opportunity to Make an Impact: You're able to contribute to meaningful projects and make a noticeable difference.
• Flexible Schedule and Work/Life Balance: You're empowered to maintain a healthy balance between your professional and personal life.
• Opportunities for Growth and Advancement: You have a clear career path to advance within the organization.
• Recognition: You receive acknowledgment and appreciation for your contributions.

Loving your job is not about finding a job that has "All of the Above". You will almost always need to compromise on something.

When you prioritize your preferences, you can ensure that your new role has all of your "non-negotiables" in perfect alignment. Forego only the factors that you don't care about as much.

What factors are most important to you when considering a new role?