Six criteria to assess a new job
Things to consider before taking on a new job … and going in with your eyes open.
A friend of mine is considering taking a new job in a different country.
When we met 15 years ago on a project in Africa, she was the most adventurous person I had encountered. She travelled extensively, worked hard and enjoyed life. The answer to all questions was “oui!”
Now she's slightly older, and things are different. She's wiser. She likes her life in Canada, and she’s comfortable financially and personally. For this reason she's decided to look for opportunities to move, to find a new challenge and continue to grow as a person.
Herein lies the paradox that we often face when thinking about change. Something inside of us is pushing for it - urging us on, wanting to explore and discover, and leave behind the stuff that's not serving us anymore. And there’s another part that’s uncertain - afraid of unnecessary change.
The difficulty is, there are many unknowns about the new path. And this makes us uncomfortable. We can't ignore the potential downsides - and, we don't know what we don't know! Ah, ambivalence - that uneasy feeling of being pulled in two directions, tentative to take a decision either way. And this is completely natural.
So, yesterday my friend and I sat down for a chat over whatsapp video. Her partner was making dinner, and my partner was making breakfast. She asked me, in her beautiful French Canadian accent,
“Saartjie (my Afrikaans name), what are the criteria you use when considering a new job?”
This great question kicked off our conversation. Afterwards, I thought I'd share my thoughts with all of you - and maybe you have some more to add…
Six things to consider when interviewing for a new role.
1. The Values test: are your values aligned?
This sounds like a relationship question, and in a way it is. You spend a significant amount of your life at work, and you want to make sure that this time is in alignment with who you are as a person.
Do some research on the organisation - what is their purpose, what are their values and what does it stand for? Is this an industry you are comfortable working in? Annual and Sustainability Reports are good to review, as well as a general google search and news articles.
Of course, being clear on what is important to you is an important step (see article on your values).
2. The Culture test: what is your sense of what it would be like to work there?
Culture reflects how internal stakeholders experience the organisation - and the values, beliefs, atttiudes and rules that influence behaviour. In the interview, notice how you feel. Are you comfortable asking questions, are these the kind of people you want to be working with?
Where they are on their culture journey? Are they open to different ideas and perspectives, or are they just going through the motions?
An interview goes both ways. Verbal and non-verbal answers are important, both to you in terms of understanding, but also to demonstrate to them that you are the kind of employee that sees these things as important. If they offer you the job, this means that they see you as making a positive contribution to their culture.
If they don't respond well - well then you know this is probably not an organisation you want to work for.
3. The Impact test: do they deliver and will you be able to contribute?
First question: are they a net positive contributor to society?
Beyond annual reports and sustainability statements … what is their reputation like? Have you met people who work there? What are their gender equity stats / targets? What is their human rights record? Do they have recycling bins at the operations …
Look for evidence of their impact - outcome indicators are a good measure - this goes further than numbers.
For example,
How have they delivered on previous year’s commitments?
What impact did their investment in education have on the students who received the funding?
What are they doing to advance gender equity? Not just numbers, but the qualitative story
Be a devil’s advocate. What is their impact on society, the environment, the future? Can these be traded off with the positives? There are no right or wrongs here, just what you feel is right.
Secondly, in this role, will you be able to make a difference in the areas you feel strongly about? Again, this links to purpose, values and culture.
4. The Money test: financial considerations
Do you believe you will be paid according to your worth? This is a very personal decision, and only you can answer it. Some people are willing to forgo larger pay packets for the "right" job - others see this as a trade off to be able to afford things in life that are important to them. Being clear on your financial position and having set goals will make this question easier to answer.
5. The Motivation test: what are your reasons for taking this job?
If your motivation to look for another job is to progress your career / learn new skills / grow as a person - is this really going to give you that?
Are you looking for a better balance between your time at work and outside work?
If your motivation is because you are bored or no longer interested in your current job, how will this one be different?
These questions need to be considered for both short and long term aspirations.
What about if you’re just not happy? Fair enough, a change might be the answer. Question - are you sure you're not going to come up with the same challenges in a different environment? Sometimes the things you don't like about your current position can be changed without moving.
For example, if you work with a difficult colleague, you can change how you respond to them or manage the current situation, as you are likely to find difficult people in every organisation.
Moving for the sake of moving - this is not necessarily bad! Change can be as good as a holiday - as they say. But it's good to be honest with yourself about it, so you're going in with your eyes open, and not repeating the same mistakes, or setting yourself up for failure or disappointment.
6. The Mountain Sage test: what would you do?
Imagine yourself as a wise sage on a mountain. Or - more likely, you are speaking to a son / daughter / friend / family member interviewing for the same job you are considering now. What would you tell them to do? Whereas the aforementioned criteria can be “logically” answered, this is where you rely on your intuition to guide you.
