In the hustle of navigating the job market, it's easy to overlook the fundamental factors that shape our decisions when considering new career opportunities.

Whether you realize it or not, there are 3 primary criteria you're using to evaluate new career opportunities.

1. Compensation
2. Time
3. Type of Work

Compensation: Let's face it, financial rewards are the reason we work. Salary, bonuses, benefits – they play a crucial role in determining the attractiveness of a job offer.

Whether it's ensuring our basic needs are met, striving for a higher standard of living, or saving for the future, compensation can (up to a certain point) serve as a significant motivator in our career pursuits.

Time: Time is our most precious resource. Balancing professional commitments with personal priorities is a juggling act. If a job provides flexibility, reasonable hours, or opportunities for leisure (think company paid for work out classes!), all this impacts our quality of life and subsequently our job search criteria.

For people with significant commitments outside of work like caring for young children or aging parents, this may be an important factor.

Type of Work: Beyond the paycheck and time constraints, the nature of the work itself holds substantial sway over our career choices.

We seek roles that align with our skills and interests – positions that challenge us intellectually and provide a sense of fulfilment. The desire for meaningful, engaging work is a driving force behind many career decisions.

Okay, ready for a tough question?

If you could only have one of these criteria present in your next job, which one would you pick?

(few caveats… if you choose time or work, you’ll be paid a base salary that is 10% lower than your current salary. If you choose time or compensation, your work will be only somewhat interesting.)

Whatever you answer will reveal a lot about your priorities for your next move.

So... what's your answer?

I’m curious, what have you uncovered?

If you’re not sure what you’d choose, here are a list of questions to help you uncover what’s most important to you in this next season of your career.

Money

• Are you willing to make sacrifices in your personal life, such as spending less time with family and friends, in pursuit of career advancement and higher earnings?
• Would you be excited to take on additional responsibilities or work longer hours if it means achieving higher financial rewards?

Time

• Do you value having autonomy and control over your work schedule and tasks more than top-end financial compensation for your expertise?
• Would you prioritize a job that offers a shorter commute or remote work options over other factors such as salary or career advancement?
• Are you seeking a role that allows you to pursue your passions and interests outside of work, such as hobbies, time with family, volunteering, or personal projects?

Type of Work

• Would you prioritize a role that allows you to make a meaningful impact and contribute to a larger cause or mission, even if it means accepting a lower salary?
• Do you see this new job as a chance to explore new challenges and expand your skill set, regardless of the immediate financial benefits or time required?
• Are you focused on gaining a specific set of skills to advance in a specific career path?

Now, the good news is that you don’t have to choose just one of these points to focus your next career move in. But, I hope this exercise has helped you clarify what’s truly important to you. Remember, your career journey is uniquely yours, and the choices you make should reflect your values, aspirations, and vision for the future.

If you know that now is the time to make a move and you want to discover and land a new role (where you don’t have to pick just one of these criteria!)...

I'd like to invite you to join me inside Top Talent Academy.

This personalized group-coaching career accelerator for mid-career professionals will walk you through the steps to discover, validate and land your next role.

The program takes the best of my personal career journey as a management consultant, 3x startup founder and global leader as well as my years of one-on-one coaching experience to help high achievers like you find and land new roles.

The best part? You won’t be alone on this journey. In addition to weekly time with me, you’ll join a group of high achieving professionals who are on the same journey.

I can’t tell you how excited I am to bring this program to you!

It’s been years in the making and it truly brings together the best I have to offer my clients.

Due to the nature of the program, there are limited spots available.

If you feel like this could be the ticket to your next big career move, don’t wait.

Learn more by booking a Clarity Call with me to discover if this program is the right fit for you. I'll walk you through the details and help you discover if this is the place for you to make your next career move.

Until next week.

When you’re ready, here are some ways I can support you:

​NEW Book FREE 1:1 Career Clarity call with me Make 2024 YOUR year by setting and achieving your important career goals.

​FREE DOWNLOAD ​The Job Search Playbook Fix the 3 mistakes that are holding you back from finding and landing a new role you love.

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