Dollars Versus Destiny
A few things to consider before accepting a new position.
As I recruiter, I spend a lot of time talking to disgruntled employees. I am the person they call when they have career related pain. My job is to understand the cause of the pain and present career options to remedy it. Some common causes of career pain are lack of challenge, under appreciation, limited upward mobility, poor management and declining company performance. Oddly enough, compensation is rarely mentioned as the main reason for starting a new job search.
Most interview processes are lengthy and involve numerous decision makers. Many months can pass from the beginning of a job search to the ultimate goal of an offer. At this point, compensation often becomes the focal point of the negotiation. I understand that compensation is very important and can make or break the deal. The problem comes when compensation overshadows all other considerations.
I stay in touch with many candidates who start their career with similar backgrounds, experience and salary levels. Years later it’s interesting to observe the great disparity in salary levels for those same candidates. The common denominator for those with the highest salaries was their ability to make career decisions that allowed them to reach their potential. They sought challenging positions that were not always the most comfortable situations. They placed significant value on working for managers who could develop their talent. Most found mentors and motivators that sparked energy and passion. They did not accept lateral moves offering increased compensation.
Financial destiny is largely a function of the non financial factors taken into consideration when making career decisions. I have been involved in many decisions where the non financial factors were largely ignored and did not get the attention they deserve. Before accepting an offer, look back to the source of your career pain and review your reasons for starting a new job search. Make sure the new position meets both your financial and non financial goals. The key to long term career and financial success has little to do with short term financial gain.
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