What's important to you?
2 minute readWhile working with my career coach, he asked me the question, 'What do you want from your next job?' He then handed me a sticky note pad and asked me to write down ten things I regard as important and place them on the table in a vertical column. As I wrote more, I was also able to freely move the currently placed notes.
Why share this?
I found it a super quick and useful way to craft some direction and priorities on the multiple things I considered important. That doesn't mean the item at the bottom of the row is not important, but it's not as important to you as the item in first place.
How does it work?
It's a simple exercise made up of two parts, your question you want to prioritize, and the important attributes ordered by importance. Take a look at the image:
Here is the example if you'd like to try using FigJam, of course you can also do it with pen and paper/Sticky notes.
Instructions
The instructions are in the template, but for those doing it with pen and paper.
Step 1: Frame the question, (e.g., What do I want from my next vacation?), write it down to reference.
Step 2: Write down your thoughts on sticky notes or paper, rearranging as needed with the most important at the top. Aim for ten, but it's not mandatory.
Step 3: Review the list, making any final adjustments.
Step 4: Done! Use this as a guide on the decision you need to make.
Applying it while looking for a new job
Here is some example factors to consider, some of these I personally used.
- Fair compensation
- Remote/hybrid working policy
- Office location
- Free lunch
- Healthcare support
- Transport costs
- Equity
- Time off policy
- Good collegues
- Autonomy
- Child-friendly hours
- retirement contributions/plan
- Corporate/Startup environment
Good questions to ask
- What companies would I want to work for?
- What ethics/values are most important to me?
- What do I consider important in my next role?
- What do I want to achieve this year?