Opportunity = Responsibility

We can all find work to do, even meaningful work. If you’re in IT, you can find a job, too, a job that pays the bills, provides some sort of retirement plan, and maybe even a little discretionary income. The combination of enjoyable work while on the job over the course of the long term is what I’d consider a successful career… and having a successful career is a lot harder than finding a job.

People often look at salary and financial compensation as their most important factor when considering a job. However, in my experience, seeking and getting a higher salary isn’t a predictor of a successful career. So, if you’re looking for a job or are just evaluating your current one, here are some other aspects to consider.

• Co-workers – do you like the people you’re working with? Do you respect them as individuals personally and professionally? Who would you be working with in a new job? Do you know?
• Interesting work – what do you do each day? Is it intellectually stimulating? Do you feel good about your contribution? Is there opportunity to grow, learn, and try new things?
• Diversity – can you try out different roles, get involved with new initiatives, or even change tracts within the same company?
• Long-term growth – What were other people doing 5 years ago at the company and what are they doing now? What are the prospects for you and how do they feel? Does it excite you?
• Company – what is their history? How successful is the company and what do they attribute that success to? Successful companies don’t underpay top performers, but they also don’t overpay unproven employees.