Career Control: The Four Pillars

Crunch time. A decision is to be made. Stick or twist.

Everyone has their own motivational pulls for their job search.

In saying that, I believe there are 4 pillars to a job search and that these are the simple deciding factors to help you make a decision.

1. The potential of the role to progress your career / provide you with the job satisfaction you need
2. The quality of the business / your interest in their sector
3. The people and business culture
4. The money and package*

*I’m a firm believer that money takes care of itself in the long run within the finance space. It’s likely to be the only one you can guarantee (barring bonus and LTIPs, which depending on your risk appetite could sway your mind).

The other 3 are interchangeable in priority for you. Only you can decide whether they meet your threshold on whether it’s worth saying yes to or sticking it out until something with greater pull factor emerges.

Where does this role take you to? Is this role going to challenge you and provide you with the relevant stimulation? Does it provide you with the scope to fill in the gaps that are needed to progress to the next level? Is it going to work for you and your lifestyle?

-        Not everyone is gearing up to be the next CFO or senior leader. For Some their priorities lie elsewhere. Workout what yours are.

 The business itself. Do you buy into to their product and strategy? Can you make a real impact on their product and strategy? Does the industry make you tick?

-        For some candidates, the sector is irrelevant and they overcome this through a variety of strategies during the interview process. But you’ve got to be there 5 days per week and more. Some live and breathe their industry. The ongoing projects might entice you more than the product itself.

People. The lifeblood. Without a doubt, the hardest aspect to guarantee. Do you know what someone is like when the chips are down, it’s gone wrong, funding hasn’t landed, or a seller takes its asset off the market when you’re just about to sign? Fundamentally, no you don’t. There is an element of gut feel here.

-        Do your research, take your time. Can you influence? Will you be listened to? Are they amenable to change? You don’t have to be friends with everyone, but will you have respect and be able to learn?

 Everyone is different. Workout what is most important to you.