WCT #77: A New Job for You in 2024?
Three Minute Read
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As the new year dawns, it's a natural time for deep introspection. A moment to stand in front of the proverbial mirror and assess whether your current job resonates with your worth, professional growth, and values. This introspective journey is important for your personal and career well-being. Here are six dimensions to consider:
1. Evaluate the Fairness of Your Compensation Are you being paid your worth? Make a frank assessment of whether or not your compensation is aligned with your skills, experience, achievements and contributions. Have you been receiving cost of living increases that don’t fully reflect the increased contributions you’re making to your firm? Remember that compensation goes beyond current cash pay. Equity-linked incentives (i.e., stock and stock-like rewards) should be considered in the total. Are you generously rewarded for the unique value you consistently bring to the professional table? If not, maybe looking around is in order.
2. Assess Your Professional Growth Is your current role just a job, or is it a genuine springboard for continuous professional development? Reflect on the opportunities it provides for honing your skills, acquiring new ones, and evolving into a more successful version of yourself.
3. Examine Your Workplace What’s the atmosphere in your workplace like? Dig beneath the surface to understand the dynamics that shape your daily professional life. A positive and supportive environment, where creativity thrives and collaboration is valued, is indispensable. Assess if your current workplace is really meeting your needs.
4. Does Your Current Job Align with Your Values? Delve deep into the alignment between your job and your core values. A values-aligned career is not just a job; it's a purposeful journey. Scrutinize whether your current role harmonizes with the principles and beliefs that matter most to you.
5. Are You Achieving the Work-Life Balance (or Work-Life Harmony) You Desire? Take a detailed inventory of the delicate equilibrium between your professional commitments and personal life. Go beyond a mere glance and critically assess whether your current job allows for a sustainable and healthy work-life balance. A job that respects your time outside of the professional realm is crucial for long-term well-being.
6. Reflect on Overall Job Satisfaction Undertake a comprehensive examination of your overall job satisfaction. Beyond the day-to-day tasks, delve into whether your current role brings you genuine joy, a sense of accomplishment, and an enduring satisfaction. Assess whether your professional journey aligns with your passions, ambitions, and the lifestyle you envision for yourself.
The Bottom Line
As you stand on the cusp of a new year, embrace this moment of reflection as an opportunity for a profound evaluation of your professional standing. If the introspection reveals misalignment with your worth, growth aspirations, or values, consider 2024 as an open door to a fresh start. The journey toward professional contentment and success often begins with the courage to embrace change. Use the upcoming year as a canvas for crafting a career that harmonizes with your true self.
I coach and advise people to land amazing jobs and manage their career journeys. I also transform resumes and LinkedIn profiles to attract more interviews and offers. Learn more about my career coaching and contact me or request a free 20-minute Career Solutions Call.