Saturday, June 1, 2013

Finding The Right Job

I recently finished reading Winning by Jack Welch, former Chairman and CEO of GE. He was known for being one of the most successful CEOs for GE and in the business world during his time. In his book, he certainly had a lot of experiences to share about his work and values. What impacted me the most was his insight about finding the right job. Being a new graduate myself, finding the right job that fits my career goals, interests and values has always been my top priority and ambition in life. I believe that pursuing what you're passionate about in life will eventually lead to the perfect job that fits you. But it will take determination, perseverance, patience, hard work, and a bit of luck too. Sadly, due to the need for security, social pressure, lack of opportunities, or just mediocrity, people end up in jobs they don't like just to pay the bills. I'm not saying they're not hardworking, on the contrary, I'm sure they are, but the point I'm making is that people settle for something safe rather than taking the risk of doing something they would actually love.

I believe that life is about the journey of trying different things to realize what you want and don't want in life. This includes your job or profession as this will comprise a huge part of your life. Based on Winning, I've compiled a chart that I've used as a guide for finding the right job in my career. I believe that Jack Welch's principles can apply to everyone from new graduates to experienced professionals.

Finding the right job
Signal
Take it as a good sign if…
Be concerned if…
People
You like the people a lot. You can relate to them and genuinely enjoy their company. In fact, they even think and act like you do.
You feel like you need to put on a persona at work. After a visit to the company, you find yourself saying things like “I don’t need to be friends with the people I work with.”
Opportunity
The job gives you an opportunity to grow as a person and a professional, and you get the feeling you will learn things there that you didn’t even know you needed to learn.
You’re being hired as an expert, and upon arrival, you will most likely be the smartest person in the room.  
Options
The job gives you a credential you can take with you and is in a business and industry with a future.
The industry has peaked or has awful economics, and the company itself, for any number of reasons, will do little to expand your career options.
Ownership
You are taking the job for yourself, of you know whom you are taking it for, and feel at peace with the bargain.
You are taking the job for any number of constituents, such as the spouse who wants you to travel less or the sixth grade teacher who said you would never amount to anything.
Work Context
The “stuff” of the job turns your crank – you love the work, it feels fun and meaningful to you, and even touches something primal in your soul.
The job feels like a job. In taking it, you say things like, “This is just until something better comes along,” or “You can’t beat the money.”
Source: Winning by Jack Welch