You May Not Be Job Searching Correctly...

It might be true that there is a “great resignation” happening right now and there are a lot of folks looking around at new jobs, but it is also true (as Yogi Berra said it) that they are lost but making good time.? What I mean is that people are rapidly job switching but doing so without a lens for making the best possible choice.? Many, are lost.

Too often, I hear people tell me about the company name, the title, or the compensation upgrade they got.? The lens therefore they are using is: Logo, Title, Compensation.? This is a great way to “job search” but a terrible way to embark on a good career choice.? A job and a career is about as different as a banana and a lamp.??

I would suggest that people use a different lens when evaluating job opportunities:

1. Culture
2. Boss
3. Remit

The Importance of Culture - If you are not going to be with your family, your best friends, or out in nature or whatever your favorite hobby is, then you are at work.? That might be between 40-70 hours per week depending on what you do.? Ensuring that you feel belonging, comfort, safety and values of your liking is literally the most important thing you can do.? Understanding if the culture has enduring values laced into their DNA that focus on learning, growth, fairness, community and curiosity will matter a lot more to you 6 months from now then the title on your business card. During your interview, ask the hiring manager to name all core values and tell you a story about each one.? If they fail to name them all and cant produce authentic stories for each, run, dont walk.??Culture is not snack assortment.

The Importance of Your Boss - You cant pick your relatives, but yes, you can pick your boss.? Will you report to someone who is a good and patient teacher? Will you report to someone who has a track record for growing people’s careers? Will you report to a “I” person or a “We” person? Will you report to someone who is humble or who cant live without the spotlight? Will you report to someone who listens more than they talk? Will you report to someone who believes in failing and trying again? The point here is that you can be working at Apple, on the most amazing product launch, but if your boss makes you miserable, then all the times you can name drop Apple at a party wont be worth that misery.? Dont let them just interview you...make sure you figure out if the person privileged enough to be your manager truly has the goods.

The Importance of Your Remit - If you have a fancy title, but you a) dont control your budget b) dont control the hiring of people below you c) dont know your goals d) dont know how to get to the next level or e) dont know how decisions are approved than you will be miserable.? Yet...so few folks work to discover this during the interview process.? Dont be that person.? Ask the hard questions to find out if you will have the opportunity to create the change you hope to create.? Do not assume so, because in too many situations the answer is no.? In my experience, great people hate coming to work and not knowing the rules of the game they are involved in.? If your hiring manager cant explain these simple things during an interview, trust me...it will only get worse from there.

Your career is the next most important decision you make aside from your partner/spouse, so consider if you truly have the right lens. This article is part of my LinkedIn Newsletter series entitled "Great Client Partnerships." Subscribe (its easy, just press the subscribe button and no other next steps) and join the almost 40,000+ other leaders who receive my weekly leadership note on this topic, or just follow. Either way. Always practical, never too long.? Please jump into the comments and share how you prioritize things in your job search!