5 Must Have Criteria for Your Next Career Move

In this article you will learn our 5 must have criteria for your next career move.

If you’re thinking about your next career move it’s common to feel stuck. You may have developed some personal passion projects, or a side hustle or two, over the years and would ideally like to combine these interests into your future roles. The good news is you don’t have to have it all worked out. Our ‘must have criteria’ is my way of helping you take action that feels safe. By considering your criteria for your next career move and spending this sacred time with yourself, your ideas, thoughts and emotions, you’re creating the possibility of change.

And this, my dear, is a great starting point to help you build momentum.

Must Have Criteria for Your Next Career Move

When I say ‘must’, please understand that there’s scope within each of these criteria. What’s important is that you are taking the time to consider what your preferences are for the way you navigate your working life. Rather than consider your next career move in terms of one dimension or role type, take the time to consider the importance of each of these elements. Which ones are mandatory? Which ones are you prepared to compromise on?

Taking the time to develop this criteria for your own personal preferences is a critical element in the success of your career action plan. And dare I say it will have a significant impact on your overall career satisfaction and lifestyle choices. Knowing what you do and don’t want from work will also give you more confidence to say no to opportunities that are not right for you.

1. Career Move Consideration: Geographic Location & Flexible Work Options

The world of work has changed. Hybrid and remote work options are being offered by many organisations. Spending time at work and on site may be critical in your role. As humans, we need connection with others. It’s therefore important to consider your specific needs – both in terms of your socialisation preferences, as well as work options that will maximise your skill development and create opportunities for your professional growth.

• Questions you may like to ask yourself and capture in your journal include:
• Where do you want to live?
• What is the maximum amount of time you want to commute to work?
• Will you ride, take public transport, car pool or drive to work?
• What remote or hybrid work options will suit your needs?

2. Career Move Consideration: Values Alignment & Organisational Culture

Do your research about brands, organisations and their social license and organisational culture. More than ever, corporations have a responsibility to contribute positively to the markets they serve and the environments they impact.

Researching and pursuing organisations that your values are personally aligned to will help you access the hidden job market and
demonstrate your passion for the organisation’s mission and values.

Do not underestimate how attractive your passion and enthusiasm can be to a potential decision maker considering your suitability to work for their organisation.

Please consider:

• What are your personal values?
• How important is it that your personal values are aligned to the values of the organisation you work for?
• What is important to you in terms of the culture of an organisation?
• What types of professional development opportunities are important to you? e.g. mentoring, co-funded training programs, etc
• What organisational policies are important to you? e.g. flexible work, parental leave, annual leave or RDOs, childcare services, etc.

3. Career Move Consideration: Organisational Size

With larger organisations there may be greater scope to travel and work across different geographic locations and business types. With a smaller organisation you are likely to get decisions made faster as you will have greater access to the owners. Do your research if you think a family run business is your preference as they can vary greatly in how they operate. If you’re not sure, talk to past colleagues, friends and family who work in different sized organisations about their experiences.

4. Career Move Consideration: Role Titles & Types

Do your research about role titles currently being advertised on job sites including LinkedIn, SEEK and others. This is your best indication of the roles available and what is required in these roles. Develop a list of role titles based on this research, so you are familiar with the terminology currently being used by different organisations and sectors. For example, a Human Resource Manager may also be called People & Culture Manager or Head of Culture.

Different organisations use different terminology and you need to update your knowledge about what’s out there when you are speaking to your network and they are explaining the opportunities within their industry for your skills. Consider how these roles interact with others, including being part of or leading a team, or working on your own. Also consider the role types available, including part time, full time, contract and consulting roles.

5. Career Move Consideration: Remuneration

Do your research to help determine the current salaries offered for your role types. When evaluating a remuneration package make sure you factor in elements such as access to a company vehicle, sign on incentives, and performance bonuses. If you’re planning a family investigate the firm’s parental leave policy.

It may also be helpful to refresh or create your family budget and work out the absolute minimum you need to earn to meet your financial responsibilities. Determine what you need (not want) to be paid to maintain your lifestyle choices. While you may not need to, consider whether you are willing to make adjustments to your current lifestyle and be paid less for the right opportunity. Develop a sense of the salary range you would accept.

The good news is that the financial factor is not necessarily the criteria you will need to compromise. Often the compromise will be the geographic location. If you can reduce your commute time, work from home some days, move to a firm that has more opportunities for promotion or has a better work culture and is more aligned to your values, these are important factors to consider.

Experience has taught many of my clients that money is only one dimension of a satisfying career.

Take Action

Achieving 4 out of 5 of these criteria for your next career move is a great result. By having this criteria, you have a concrete measure to help you carefully consider and assess the value of potential career moves.