You know you want a new job, but why are you looking? What are you looking for? A recent Chicago Tribune article suggests that the answers to those questions will help to guide your job search.
Your search will be easier if you think about what will make you a special and unique candidate to the employer. Define that and be ready to articulate it.
What kind of work culture works for you? Do you need a lot of support from your boss? Do you need a lot of collaboration with colleagues or do you prefer to work independently? When you have these answers, you’ll have a better idea of what to look for and what questions to ask.
Think about what items are “must have’s” vs. “nice to have’s”. Clarity about this will make it easier to decide or not whether to accept a given offer. Are location, job function, salary, hours critical to you? If you can prioritize, it will be easier to know whether to accept an offer and how to negotiate.
Realize that the job you’re offered may not be your dream job, but especially if you’re early in your career, it may be a useful stepping stone to where you ultimately want to land!
