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What Do You Want From Your Next Job?

There’s nothing worse than accepting a job offer and two or three months down the road regretting your decision. One of the first things I suggest my clients do is make a list of what they want from their next job. These are the kinds of questions you should ask yourself before you have the first interview:

• What piece does this next job play in my overall career plan? Do I want to make a lateral move to learn new skills I’ll need down the road? Is this position necessary for my ultimate career goal?

• How important is the working environment to me? Do I need to like the people I work with? Do I work best in a separate office or surrounded by other employees?

• Is it important that this next position offer me opportunity for advancement? Do I know what that progression will be?

• What kind of management style works best for me? Do I need a superior who is hands-on or hands-off? Do I prefer to work independently or as part of a team?

• Am I most comfortable when the communication is direct, or is that not important to me? Do I need an open environment where there are no secrets and expectations are clearly defined?

• Do I thrive in a fast-paced, demanding environment, or do I prefer a steady environment with few surprises?

There are many ways to get this information. Try visiting the company’s Web site. After reading the background page, see if they have an employee page. You’ll find that some list reasons why you should work there. Others give employee profiles. Look on Internet industry boards to see what people are saying about the company and its products.

If the company does not have a Web site, go to the library and read everything you can find on the company. See if its stated philosophy seems like a good fit.

Try to meet with some current employees. Ask questions like “How would you describe the working environment? How are conflicts handled? What makes you stay with the company? What would you miss if you left? What would you not miss if you left? How does management handle problems? How does management reward you for your work? How does the company help employees to grow professionally?”

If it is important to you that you like the people you work with, try to spend some time with them. Then listen to what your gut tells you. Try to talk with employees who have had similar positions to the one offered to you.

Be clear about what your job responsibilities will be. If you sense that they are vague, and that makes you uncomfortable, seriously consider turning the offer down. Ask about the training for the position. Is there formal training, or are you expected to learn on your own? Who does the training and when?

Choose the Right References

A good reference can break a tie between you and another equally qualified candidate. A bad reference can knock you out of the competition. Take the time early in your job search to pick and prepare references.

• Emphasize their importance to you. Give references a copy of your resume and bring them up-to-date on your latest accomplishments. Warn them when an employer might be calling so that they will be prepared. Emphasize what the employer wants in a candidate, and encourage them to be enthusiastic about you.

• Find out what references would say if asked about your strengths and weaknesses. Suggest different answers if you feel they are not representing you accurately. Follow up with them after they are contacted to see what was asked and how the conversation went.

• If you find you're getting to second or third interviews without an offer, you may need to consider dropping a reference.

Networking is the Key

The only person you can count on to ensure that you meet your career goals is you. Your mentor today may not be there tomorrow. It is essential that you build and maintain a network of contacts you can rely on for information, whether you are actively seeking another job or not.

• Membership in professional organizations is crucial for networking. Attending meetings will not only help keep you current with what is going on in the industry but also will provide you with excellent opportunities for networking. Many professional organizations maintain databases of openings that are never seen by non-members.

• People with whom you have previously worked are another great source for networking contacts. Make it a habit to touch base with former colleagues at least twice a year to update them on your status and find out theirs.

• Keep current with contacts outside your industry as well. You can get good leads through casual conversations with friends and acquaintances outside your own professional circle.

• Remember that networking is a two-way street. You must be willing to share information as well as request it. If you have not been keeping your network of contacts up-to-date, begin today by giving one of them a call. You will be glad you did.

Be Prepared For Your Next Career Move

It’s been said that today’s job is secure only as long as it takes to export it, consolidate it, automate it, or eliminate it. So it makes sense for you to be prepared for a job or career change at all times. Here are five tips for keeping yourself prepared:

• Know yourself well. Know yourself in terms of your technical skills, your transferable skills, and your personal qualities. Technical skills means your expertise. Do you know business writing? Corporate finance? AS400 systems? Basic accounting? Tax laws? Transferable skills are skills that can be used in another position. What skills have you demonstrated successfully? Problem-solving? Sales? Leading? Troubleshooting? Organizing data? Teaching? Personal qualities include your preferences about work. What motivates you? In what kind of setting do you do your best work? Are you willing to relocate? Do you want to work independently or as part of a team? Know these facts about yourself and be able to articulate them.

• Keep your resume up-to-date. If an opportunity comes up today, you want your resume to be ready. I suggest updating it at least once a year.

• Keep a file on yourself. This is important; doing this on an ongoing basis is so much easier than trying to dig up this information at a later date. Keep an ongoing list of your contributions to your current employer. Save commendation letters from clients and managers. Keep copies of your performance evaluations, records of additional certifications or training, information on people you may want to use as references, etc. Keeping all this information together will prevent panic later!

• Keep on learning. Keep your skills up-to-date and learn new ones. Stay current with what’s going on in your industry or field. If you’re not computer literate, shame on you!

• Continue to network. Tom Jackson, one of the job search gurus, says that 60% of all the available jobs on a given day are not advertised publicly. Maintaining your network of business and personal contacts will keep you abreast of what’s out there and will be invaluable when it’s time for you to start looking again.

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