Is it time to change jobs? It’s a hard thing to admit to yourself but I find there is a point when you have to accept that it’s time to move on. The interview process is not easy, you will spend months searching, go on tons of interviews and if you are lucky, find a job that can offer most of what you are looking for. So what are you looking for?
Many people get hung up on specific jobs and titles. Personally, I think you need to spend more time looking at specific companies. [optinlocker]
Startups can offer you the chance to work on many different things, gain lots of experience quickly and make a large impact. This all sounds very exciting but it comes with some negatives, too. They often receive a lot of money early on and then have to figure out how to manage that money and make it last. This sometimes means that when you’re originally offered a large base salary but as time goes on raises and bonuses might be rare. You will also work a lot. There aren’t as many people to help support you and time off may be hard to find.
Mid-sized “middle-aged” companies are probably the “safe” choice. These companies are a little more settled, have better headcount and reasonable salary guidelines. Unless you are getting hired on as a C-level executive, you will most likely have growth opportunities. Unlike a startup, you should have a little more team support but you still get to work on some exciting things outside your everyday responsibilities.
Larger “older” companies are very clear on what they need from you; and what you will get from them. You will have a clearly defined role, good training program and a path for advancement. You may have a lot of competition when it comes to promotions, and it could be hard to move into different departments within the company. These companies are some of the best in the world, and as a result, they want the best talent in the world. Working for a company like this will be great for your resume but it might not be where you want to stay for your entire career.
Don’t apply to jobs just for the sake of applying. Really research the company. Find out what makes them different from all the other companies out there. Then look at what they are offering and cross check that with what you want. Don’t just find a job, find the right job.
By Caitlin Mandeville | People Science Talent Advisor II
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