Setting the standard: When to consider a new job opportunity

Changing jobs is super stressful. Staying comfortable is, well, comfortable but not exciting. If you're all cozy in your current posish and want to stay put there's no shame in it. Call it what it is- comfort (sometimes dare I say coasting). Everyone has stayed at a job because it was doable...

But then along comes a recruiter...

Whether you're happy in your position, comfortable but bored, or actively looking, you should have some standards that the next opportunity MUST meet to compel you to change. Here are some boxes to check off:

Financial Threshold: Can I thrive on this? Not always looking for a massive cash grab here. In fact, that should NEVER be your sole reason to leave one job for another. Think about what you require and set the bar- this includes things like health insurance, 401k, stock options, bonus structure, etc. Know the minimum you'll need.

Settle on a threshold- the minimum total package you'd be able to take for the best opportunity.

Career Progression: Is this next position a step up or a step towards where I ultimately want to be? Will it get me out of a silo and working towards where I want to go? I was inspired recently by a candidate who was looking to take a step back. He had been promoted into management in his current company but was willing to take a more junior position to get OFF the management track. His passion was in sales, not SDR management. In order to step forward in the right direction, he'd have to first take a step back to course correct.

Sometimes we are such a team player that we lose sight of our personal goals for the betterment of the team. Before you take a promotion, consider- was this my plan?

Balance: What is the work/life situation that satisfies me? I think this trips people up the most- "I have a good routine" or "I like my work-life balance". Your current job is not the only place that can offer you what you have. In fact, more and more places are catering to their employee's needs from a social and family perspective. If you know what works for you, make it a threshold. Personally for me, I require remote work. It allows me flexibility with my family, is a greener option which meets my values, and I can quantify the cost savings of no daily office travel or dry cleaning bills. Some people really need the in-person socialization an office gives. Some people want both.

Your current employer isn't the only place that offers something that will meet your lifestyle needs, so don't close the door on a change because of that. On the flip side, if you're job seeking, don't set yourself up for stress by joining a situation that ultimately wont work for you.

Extra Credit: What sort of opportunity would be my ideal? What extra perk would be simply delicious? You may be on the fence about an opportunity. Perhaps it checks the boxes but doesn't seem worth the hassle. Or maybe you're deciding between offers. Consider what is a list of must haves or nice to haves. For example, I required the following before making my last move- leadership role, $X salary, VC backed startup, remote, and equity. That creates a narrow list, but then again, I wasn't actively looking. Those were the pieces though that I required to consider a switch. To me, extra bonus points were that the startup was in tech (data really), rapidly scaling (??), and potential of getting acquired (I have a goal to one day grow with a company through an exit). I was able to get everything I wanted and more!

If you aren't looking- be particular but be open. If you are looking- still be particular! Where you work you spend a significant portion of your life, be satisfied but don't be stagnant.

Wishing you all a happy 2019, loving what you do!

PS. shameless plug here- I'm hiring! https://www.quantummetric.com/company/