Executive Job Search How Executives Find Jobs

Executive Job Search How Executives Find Jobs Executive Job Search How Executives Find Jobs Traditional job search techniques lose some of their pertinence the higher you get on the corporate ladder. Promotions have moved you into new roles. Recruiters have lured you to new companies.The number of jobs youre interested in has been culled to a handful of hyper-competitive executive positions.Its been a few years since youve browsed the classifieds or handed out your resume.Its time to start a new executive job search. So where do you begin?Executive Job Boards10% or fewer of jobs at the executive level are landed through job boards, writes Executive Job Search Strategist Meg Guisseppi. So why start here?Its true that most companies would rather elend hire executives that come in via a job board application. Given the level of corporate responsibility entrusted to executives, unknown online applicants will rarely be valued as highly as referrals or all-star candidates targeted by a cor porate recruiter. Most of these positions are never even posted to job boards.That said, job boards are still a good starting point. If anything, its the most direct tip-off as to where opportunity exists. Even if you opt not to submit an application through the job board, seeing a job listing can show you where to direct your networking efforts. Who do you know at the company? What mutual connections do you share with key decision makers?Here are a few job boards catered to executivesThe LaddersIvy ExecsExecuNetExperteerbehauptung are paid services that offer job boards curated with high-paying executive positions, plus other features. For instance, the Ladders has a great resume builder. Ivy Execs and ExecuNet offer career consultations over the phone. Experteer lets you see when headhunters look at your candidate profile. All claim that resumes uploaded to their sites get special attention from a network of executive recruiters.However, high paying executive-level job postings ar ent limited to those sites. They can turn up on LinkedIn, Indeed, or other job sites youve never heard of. The most efficient way to search all of these sites at once is through Google for Jobs.To access Google for Jobs, just googleJob Title jobs Location. For example, chief operating officer jobs denver.ExecThreadThe hidden job market affects all job seekers, but it takes on new meaning at the executive level.This is why Joe Meyer started ExecThread.The reality is, finding great opportunities at the executive-level meant searching for something unlisted, since the best jobs arent publicly-posted. To find the right openings you had to either be approached by an executive recruiter, or hear through word-of-mouth, Meyer welches quoted at HuffPost. Both scenarios are out of your direct control, and its a very time consuming and highly inefficient process to find these hidden jobs.One way that executives find out about open positions is by being contacted through recruiters. With ExecTh read, these recruiter interactions and other information are crowdsourced and shared with its members. Jobs can be searched like other job boards, but additional details (such as the name of the hiring manager) are only unlocked when a user redeems points earned by contributing other unlisted jobs and data to the board.Admission to ExecThread isnt a given. Executives must apply and be approved.Attract Executive Recruiters on LinkedInWhen it comes to important executive positions, incoming job applications arent a priority for headhunters and corporate recruiters. Theyre searching online and making calls looking for the best possible candidate, period.To land a top level job, it must be easy for executive recruiters to find you This starts by having a strong web presence andwriting a great LinkedIn profile. For startersTake a professional profile photoMake sure all sections are filled out and up to dateUtilize the summary section to tell your story and demonstrate your expertiseFill out each of your experience sections to describe your key duties and accomplishmentsEnsure that your education section is complete and up to dateFor in-depth tips and examples tailored to your profile, check out Jobscans LinkedIn Optimization tool. An optimized LinkedIn profile helps youAvoid recruiter filters by setting your location and industryAppear in more recruiter searches by using targeted skills and keywords in critical sectionsCommunicate your worth by highlighting unique skills and expertise in your headlineDemonstrate your impact to the bottom line through measurable resultsTake advantage of every opportunity by using all the characters available in your headline, summary, and other sectionsA complete LinkedIn profile shows recruiters that youre serious about your work.A search optimized profile ensures that youre easy to find.Put Yourself Out ThereEffective networking is always going to be one of the best ways to find executive jobs. Schedule phone calls, lunches, and o utings with past associates to catch up and learn whats happening with the leadership at various companies. Attend industry conferences, conventions, and meetups. Get facetime with as many people as possible.Here are some other ways to network and position yourself for an opportunityFacilitate and Give BackWe want to help those who have helped us. Open up opportunities for yourself by creating opportunities for others.Introduce people in your network who could benefit from knowing each other. Use your influence to refer a talented associate for an open position outside of your skillset. Mentor a junior executive or up-and-comer in your industry.These conversations will help you stay in the loop with different companies, attract other networking opportunities, and establish goodwill.Be a Thought Leader on LinkedInAfter writing a profile full of experience, results, and accomplishments, start establishing yourself as an industry thought leader on LinkedIn. This will help you grow your network and prove to employers that you are still on the cutting edge of industry news and arent a technophobe.Start by sharing articles related to your industry or position and add your take. There are even tools like Scoop.it that makes it easier to find and distribute relevant articles to your network. Share stories from your past work and leadership experiences and the lessons you learned from each. Engage with other users.Become an Executive or Management ConsultantConsulting gigs are a great way to bridge an employment gap. These engagements demonstrate your drive and executive skills while continuing to build your experience.Create opportunities by being generous with your experience while networking. Giving advice and sharing ideas on specific business issues proves to others in your professional network that you have a deep well of knowledge to draw from and are an effective problem solver. When your network needs to bring in some executive muscle on an interim or contract basis, theyll know who to call. Those opportunities can turn into permanent positions in some cases.On your LinkedIn profile, addend your headlinewith Consultant to turn up in search results.Emphasize keywords like strategy, change management, and industry-specific skills relevant to your skillset throughout your profile.There is an old rule of thumb that a job search should take one month for every $10,000 you hope to earn. That really adds up once you get to the executive level. The scarcity of positions can lead to a long executive job search thats only drawn out by ineffective practices or sitting around waiting for something to happen. Diversify your tactics and get yourself out there.Read moreExecutive Job Search Guide

5 TV shows that surprisingly teach you a lot about business

5 TV shows that surprisingly teach you a lot about business5 TV shows that surprisingly teach you a lot about businessWhen in doubt, consult Mad Men? Your fave show might not just be good for entertainment, but it can teach you a few life and career lessons, too. These five shows are both interesting and truly informative to anyone interested in learning the trade of business (or even how to handle the working dynamic at a company). Youre watching Parks and Rec, and the next thing you know, youre getting a grand-slam promotion (We like to dream)1. Parks And RecreationTheres nothing Leslie Knope cant teach you The shows plot centers on a handful of professionals, including Knope, running a local government. You learn a lot about the struggles of raising money on a smaller scale, working with conflicting personalities and dealing with competition.2. Shark TankIf youve never watched the show before, youre missing out on some action. Each episode, a number of people are chosen to pitch t heir entrepreneurial ideas to a group of investors. The stakes are high (as are tensions), and you see firsthand how investing, as well as pitching and executing deals work.3. Mad MenWhile you may have blown through the seasons gushing about Don Draper, the series proves to be a genius tool in highlighting sexism and the empowerment (and lack of empowerment) of women during a tumultuous time. Peggy, the secretary-turned-copywriter, is a prime example of how even in the 60s, women kicked major ass in male-dominated fields.4. House Of CardsAs the shows star, Frank Underwood, works to get from Democratic congressman to the big leagues, you pick up on some serious themes. For example, you learn how to treat employees (which isnt his strong suit) and how to recover from setbacks (where he excels).5. The Good WifeAfter she finds out that her husband was involved in a political sex scandal and arrested, the main character, Alicia Florrick, leaves behind her life at home with two teenage ki ds to rejoin the work force as a litigator. Alicia makes her fruchtmark as a serious professional while balancing her new life, which teaches you to persevere, especially when things look grim, and to never doubt your abilities - even if youve been out of the game for a while.This post was originally published on Swirled.com.

How to Find Keywords for an FAA Logistics Job

How to Find Keywords for an FAA Logistics Job How to Find Keywords for an FAA Logistics Job How to Find Keywords for an FAA Logistics Job Logistics Management Specialist, FV-0346-F/H, DOT, FAA Keyword Study. A successful federal resume should match a target vacancy announcement. The match should include keywords from the vacancy announcement, demonstrate the specialized experience and give examples that prove you have the experience. This is the first of Keyword Series articles for 2012. Each article will contain 10 to 15 technical keywords that will be a must for your federal resume. The keywords are found in the following sections of the announcement: Mission, Duties, Qualifications, Specialized Experience and KSAs. MISSION: The Next Generation of Flight is Underway and you can be part of it! We need you and your fresh ideas to shape the air transportation system of tomorrow, and the way America flies. DUTIES: Serves as a Logistics Management Specialist in a Logistics Service Area with primary responsibility for in use management of personal property to support the National Aerospace System (NAS), the Air Traffic Organization (ATO), and other Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initiatives and organizations. The incumbent uses a variety of property and accounting systems including, but not limited to, Automated Inventory Tracking System (AITS), Logistics and Inventory System (LIS), and is responsible for maintaining automated property systems. Keywords: Logistics Service; Management of personal property; Property and accounting systems utilization; Automated property systems Qualifications: F-Band Duties: Assignments provide on-the-job experience to develop proficiency in all aspects of personal property management, capitalization, project material, inventory management, property control, motor fleet and property disposal and to prepare the incumbent for potential advancement. Keywords: Personal property management, capitalization, project management inventory control management, property control, motor fleet and property disposal. Specialized Experience: F Band Experience: This position requires at least 3 years of progressively responsible general experience, 1 year of which was equivalent to at least the GS-4, which demonstrates your ability to: Analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; plan and organize work; and communicate effectively. Keywords: Analyze problems, Gather data, Recognize solutions, Plan and organize work and communicate. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge and experience in the application of Federal Laws, regulations, policies, and best practices for government personal property, asset management and capitalization. The incumbent typically acquires this knowledge through work involving acquiring, managing and disposing of personal property for the U.S. government. The incumbent may also acquire this knowledge through working in supply and inventory management and/or through formal training or education in business or logistics related fields. Keywords: Federal Laws and regulations for government personal property, asset management and capitalization. Acquiring and disposing of personal property. Supply and inventory management. 12 IMPORTANT KEYWORDS AND SKILLS TO ADD TO YOUR FEDERAL RESUME: Logistics Service Management of personal property Property and accounting systems utilization Acquiring and disposing of personal property Automated property systems Capitalization Project management Inventory control management Analyze problems, Gather data, Recognize solutions .Knowledge of Federal Laws and regulations for government personal property Asset management and capitalization Supply and inventory management

Where you live may be the most important career choice you make

Where you live may be the most important career choice you make Where you live may be the most important career choice you make What does it take to succeed? You may have heard the adage “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” And there’s truth to that. But before you can find the  who, you first have to find the  where.I’ve  written before  that every story of success is really a story of community. But community is not just a group of people. It’s a place.This was one of the central ideas in my latest book,  Real Artists Don’t Starve.  You need a  scene  where you are challenged to do your best work.So how do you find one?Genius Is a Team  SportFirst, let’s be clear:  You don’t do your best work alone. No one does.  In the words of  Keith Sawyer, genius is a group effort, not the result of any single person’s accomplishments.Genius is a group effort.What looks like a stroke of insight is often the accumulation of years of hard work from multiple individuals. Not only are we influenced by the work of others. Our  environments shape who we become  and therefore what we do.So if you want to do better work, the best thing you can do is put yourself around those who are already doing that work.When we look at the lives of successful artists, writers, and creatives, we don’t just see a collection of serendipitous moments. We see a series of events and connections that allow a person’s work to thrive. We see strategy.Often, these events are more intentional than they seem. It’s not just luck that leads to success. It’s choice. And one of the most important choices you can make is where you choose to live.It’s not luck that leads to success. It’s choice.The Rule of the SceneSurrounding yourself with successful people does not just happen. In fact, I would argue that more often than not a person finds herself in the right place at the right time because she put herself there.We all need the right environment to challenge and inspire us to do our best work, and in this article I want to show you how to seek out such a place.The Rule of the Scene, as I call it, says it’s easier to go where creative work is already happening than it is to will yourself to be more creative.There are three elements necessary for a thriving creative scene: The right people to influence and challenge your work. A place to gather and connect with those people. A purpose for gathering so that you continue to connect. That’s what you need to create a scene. Now, let’s explore how to find one.The Hemingway Strategy: Join a SceneIn 1921, a fledgling writer named Ernest Hemingway moved from Chicago to Paris. He went there to join a group of expatriate writers and artists living on the Left Bank, because an author he admired told him it was where the most interesting people in the world lived.In Paris, Hemingway met a group of creative minds unlike he had ever before see. By living there, he was influenced by them and in less than a decade would become one of the most famous authors of that century.None of this was an accident. Where Ernest Hemingway lived and who he became are related. Joining a scene is not just about moving. It’s about finding the place and people you need the most to succeed and who hopefully need you, too and becoming a necessary part of that community.Joining a scene is not just about moving. It’s about becoming a necessary part of the community. Hemingway went to Paris to learn from established literary giants and follow in their footsteps. And what better classroom for a young writer than Paris in the 1920s, where you were likely to bump into James Joyce at a cafe or Pablo Picasso at Gertrude Stein’s weekly gathering of artists?He went to the place where creativity was already happening and reaped the benefits of such move.You can do the same today.It’s Not Just Who You KnowParis in the 1920s was what historians call a “genius cluster,” a term used to describe areas that produce inordinate amounts of creative output. Often, these places are a surprise to us, as with Florence being the birthplace of the Renaissance or Silicon Valley launching the Information Age.But sometimes, if you’re paying attention, you can discover these opportunities as they’re unfolding. This is what I believe Hemingway did he saw the genius cluster happening and decided to join it. We can do the same, because all around us, we find scene s: Each year, aspiring actors relocate to L.A. and New York in search of their big break. Musicians move to Nashville to try and “make it.” Hopeful entrepreneurs find themselves in San Francisco or Austin to chase down a dream of launching a startup. Scenes abound. Our job is to recognize the right places for the work we want to do. Not all scenes are created equal and where you choose to live will affect the work you do. So consider each potential place with care.In the case of Hemingway, he intuitively grasped his need for the right teachers to help him write the way he wanted. He also recognized the importance of gatekeepers in establishing him as a prominent literary voice. All those things he needed, he found in Paris.But he didn’t just move to Paris to join those influences. He became a part of their community by teaching Ezra Pound to box, by helping Gertrude Stein get published, and by lending his editing skills to a literary magazine.He didn’t just move. He joined the scene. This is an essential part of the process: It’s not just who you know that leads to success. It’s who you help.All these efforts allowed Hemingway to rise to the top of a list of young writers who had all flocked to Paris with similar aspirati ons. But today, we remember one man’s name above them all and it’s because he made the most of an opportunity when others did not.If you’re trying to find a scene to join, consider the following: What do you really want to do? Who is doing that kind of work right now? Where can you find the most influential voices in your industry, and how can you help them? Go where those people are, even just temporarily, and find a way to join the scene. It just might change everything.The Brönte Strategy: Create Your Own SceneAlmost every time I talk about scenes, someone asks: “But what if I can’t move? Do I have to relocate myself halfway around the world to find my scene? Am I out of luck?”Not necessarily. Not all of us are able to pack up our things and move at a moment’s notice. That’s not always the best strategy, anyway.Sometimes, we need to leave home in search of new opportunities. Other times, the smarter strategy is to stay put and create a new scene. Let’s look at a group of writers who did just that: The Brönte sisters.In the early nineteenth century, Haworth, England was a small, rural community devoid of literary opportunity. Patrick Brönte was a clergyman and widower who had moved his daughters there to keep them guarded from exposure to the outside world. To pass the time and amuse themselves, the children told each ot her stories.One day, one of the girls found a poem written by her younger. The older sister shared that she, too, had been writing in secret. Before long, all three sisters Emily, Charlotte, and Anne confessed to being closet writers and began a literary collaboration that would last a lifetime.The sisters went on to write some of the most influential works of English literature, and it all began in a small village, far from the reaches of civilization. These young women didn’t have to leave home to find their scene. Because for every Hemingway in Paris, there’s a Bronte from Haworth.Sometimes, the community we need is closer than we think.Make the First MoveYou need a scene. That much is clear. You need a place where you will be challenged and inspired to do your best work. This requires all of us to get out of our comfort zones.For some of us, finding a scene may mean a move across the room, as was the case with the Bröntes. For others, it may mean a move overseas, as in the case of Hemingway. In any case, you’re going to have to get a little uncomfortable to find the right people and place for your work.You must move. Standing still is not an option. Everyone wants a scene, but someone has to go first.If you’re trying to create a scene and wondering if such a thing is possible where you are, do the following:Pay attention. Look around and see if others are doing the kind of work you want to do. Go first. Find a way to to bring people together around a common interest maybe it’s a meetup or a book club and see what connections are made. Keep people connected. Use a Facebook group or Slack channel to keep folks in touch with each other in between meetings so the next time you gather it’s a reunion, not an introduction. This is always how scenes are formed. We all want to be seen and heard and challenged. But most of us are waiting for someone else to take that first step. To offer the excuse for us all to come together. To move.Maybe that person can be you.The Gale Strategy: A Scene within a SceneLet’s look at one final and more recent example.Every year, Eric Gale, a blogger and author comes to a small conference in Nashville called Tribe Conference.He doesn’t just show up for the event, though. For three years in a row, Eric has hosted the unofficial meet-up for local writers in the area, many whom are there just for the conference.No one asked him to do this. No one is paying him. He just saw a need to bring people together and took the initiative. He was hungry enough for connection with those who had similar goals and interests that he decided to do something about it.And for three years, people have followed Eric’s lead. He did what so many of us want to do but are often too afraid to d o. He saw an opportunity and took action. He created the community he needed.This is the third strategy to consider: Build a community off of an existing community. Create a scene within a scene. Instead of going and finding a scene that requires you to permanently relocate or trying to create a local group, start by doing a little of both.Find a scene that already exists and build a smaller community within the larger one. Use an event or reason that people are already gathering and turn it into an opportunity to connect at a deeper level and stay connected.Who knows what it could lead to.You Need a SceneAs my friend Ally Fallon once wrote, people not only live in places, but “places live in people.” A scene shapes you, makes you into the kind of person you become. To summarize, here’s how you find one whether you do this far away, nearby, or in your own hometown: Find your place. Go where the work is already happening and put yourself out there. Join that community. Buy a ticket to that conference. Do whatever you need to do to get there. Find your people. Become a part of a community by helping others, filling whatever needs you can. Be relentlessly helpful and watch as others follow your lead. Find your purpose. Come up with a reason for gathering on a regular basis. Create an excuse for people to keep coming back together, whether it’s a group project or just a larger “why” behind what you’re doing. Where you live will have significant impact on the work you do, the life you live, and the person you become. So choose that environment wisely. Because once you find your scene, everything changes.Have you found your scene yet?This article was originally published on Medium.

Taking Risks in Your Resume

Taking Risks in Your Resume Taking Risks in Your Resume In order to find work in these treacherous waters (in other words, in this economy), sometimes you have to take risks. Here are some risks worth taking on your resume. Infographic Resume One way to stand out from the crowd is to create an infographic-style resume. Infographics are eye-catching compositions of text and images that often include bright colors and geometric shapes. They turn information into bite-sized, easy-to-scan elements- which is exactly what you want when hooking the interest of a harried human resources manager. Job-hunting expert Pamela Skillings praises infographic resumes. “People love infographics because our brains are wired to respond to visual storytelling. Images grab our attention.” If graphic design isn’t part of your skill set, you can hire a freelancer to create a visual resume for you or use a program like Visualize.Me or Visual.ly. Video Resume Video resumes are a bold choice for job seekers, especially those with a winning personality. To make the most of your video resume, make sure to use a decent camera, good lighting (daylight is better than your desk lamp), and make sure that everything in the frame is clean and professional looking. That means picking up any stray socks or dirty dishes in the room as well as dressing up as if you were going to an interview. Use video editing software to create a high-quality reel; after all, a poorly produced video resume isn’t going to impress anyone. According to Erin Carson from TechRepublic, video resumes aren’t for everyone. Carson advises that “using a video resume to get a job in a more creative field like marketing, might be more effective. Ask yourself if the company youre applying to has the type of culture that would welcome a video more than a regular resume.” Mixed Media Resume There are hundreds of creative ways to make your resume stand out, from wrapping it around a chocolate bar, creating a storybook, or even embroidering your accomplishments on fabric. If you’re going to go the mixed media route, make sure that it reflects your talents and skills. An insurance actuary, for example, probably wouldn’t get much mileage out of a resume designed to look like a movie poster, but someone looking to break into the film industry might. Of course, you want to avoid standing out in a bad way. Grammatical mistakes careless misspellings, misplaced commas, and a host of other easy-to-make errors can negatively impact your chances of getting that interview. No matter what medium you decide to use to present your resume, make sure that you proofread thoroughly. Don’t rely on your word processing program’s spell check; get a trusted friend to look over your resume, and run the text through Grammarly’s automated proofreading tool. What’s the craziest risk you’ve taken to land your dream job? Share your story in the comments!Master the art of closing deals and making placements. Take our Recruiter Certification Program today. We're SHRM certified. Learn at your own pace during this 12-week program. Access over 20 courses. Great for those who want to break into recruiting, or recruiters who want to further their career.

Anything is possible if you pay the price

Anything is possible if you pay the price Anything is possible if you pay the price You can learn, have, or be anything if you are willing to pay the price.Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!You can be a millionaire in not a long period of time.You could be an established expert on any topic.You could be a successful business owner.You could have a deep spiritual understanding.You could do an Iron Man triathlon.You could be an empathetic, caring, and loving person.You could have beautiful and meaningful relationships with your romantic partner, business colleagues, mentors, and other people who inspire you.You could be the person you know within yourself you can be.You can live the life you know within yourself you are meant to live.But you have to pay the price.You have to actually make a decision. If you try to be everywhere, you’ll end up nowhere. If you try to be everyone, you’ll end up no one.You have to choose what you want to do and who you want to be.You have to forego the trivial many for the essential few.You have to forego the endless good options for the few best ones.You have to manage your mind and your time.You can’t continue to justify living beneath your dreams.You have to  really  want it. Because once you do, nothing will be able to stop you from having it.You have to let go of your bad habits.You have to re-arrange your priorities.You have to say “No” more.You need to put first things first, every single day.You have to pay the price.If you’re willing to pay the price, you can have absolutely anything you want.But you need to be uncomfortable enough with your current situation to get off Facebook. To stop consuming and wasting your time.To focus on learning and creating rather than being entertained and distracted.There are probably dozens are recurring activities you do on a daily basis that aren’t serving you.You need to drop those activities from your life. Leave them in your past and fill your futur e with the activities that will take you to where you really want to go.When you have 5 extra minutes, what do you do? Do you entertain and distract yourself? Or do you pay the price?When your alarm goes off in the morning, do you hit the snooze button or do you pay the price?When you know you should be creating, do you distract yourself or do you pay the price?When you’re with your loved ones, do you look at your smartphone or do you pay the price?Are you serious or still pretending?Do you really want it or are you still unsure?Are you moving one step in 20 directions or 20 steps in one direction?How many hours did you waste today? How many hours were you paying the price?What do you really want?Are you willing to pay the price?Nothing in life is free, especially your time. Everything has a cost. And when it comes to your time, the cost is heavy. You can never get even one second back.You can live your life on purpose. You can spend your time on things you value. You can be who y ou intended to become. You can continue to progress and evolve, even after you’ve become successful and fulfilled.But the price must be paid.You can’t fake it.It’s available if you want it. But you must choose it.This article first appeared on Medium.  You might also enjoy… New neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happy Strangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds 10 lessons from Benjamin Franklin’s daily schedule that will double your productivity The worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs 10 habits of mentally strong people

6 Tips for Investigating a Job Offer

6 Tips for Investigating a Job Offer 6 Tips for Investigating a Job Offer When you finally get a job offer, you might not even think twice before accepting it. After all, isn’t that the goal of all your weeks (and maybe months) of dedicated job searching? But not every job offer is a good one, so you’ll need to really assess it before you sign on the dotted line. Put yourself in a position of power by using these tips to investigate a job offer and decide if it’s right for you. 1. Know your worth. If you’ve been job searching for some time, any job offer might look pretty amazing to you right about now. Thing is, not all companies pay the same for similar job titles. That’s why you should check out what the going rate for your job is with a salary calculator. (Both Glassdoor and PayScale offer tools to help you figure out what you’re worth by looking at your job and where you live.) This can give you a good idea if the offer on the table is one worth accepting. 2. Calculate in the commute. The hiring manager calls you with a bonafide job offer. It’s actually pretty good- so good in fact that you think that commuting might not be so bad after all. Unfortunately, even the most amazing job can turn into a nightmare if you’re stuck in traffic commuting to and from work each and every day. Do a dry run first by commuting to the office at the time when you’d have to be there in the morning and when you’d leave to go home. That could be reason enough to convince you to not take the office-bound job- and find a telecommuting job instead. 3. Research the company. During your job interview, your would-be boss boasted that the company was a leader in its industry, and on the cutting edge of innovation. So why are they letting staff go left and right? Don’t always take what you’re being told during an interview at face value. If you’re offered a job with a company, do some research to see if everything adds up. You can check out its Better Business Bureau rating and search it on social media to see if there are any financial red flags you might need to worry about. After all, if you accept a job offer with one company- and then it goes bankrupt or you’re let go- you’ll have to start your job search all over again. 4. Gain some growth perspective. Every job has its required set of responsibilities. Do the ones presented to you in the job offer sound like something that you’d like to do- every day? Or are there other skills that you’d like to be using but won’t be able to in this new role? Consider what you’ll be doing, day in and day out, and then decide if this would make you happy. Remember, you’re ideally accepting a job offer so that you can stay and grow with the company. If those opportunities don’t exist, the job offer might not be worth your while. 5. Pick apart the personalities. You loved the company you interviewed with- but your prospective boss? Eh, sort of. While a sweet job offer (or even multiple job offers!) might have you wearing professional love goggles, that can wear away quickly once you have to report to a boss who’s not really your cup of tea. Try to determine what your boss’ management style would be, and see if it works for you. That way, you’ll know if you’d be a good match or not. 6. See if the job would be a step up. In a perfect world, each job on your career ladder should be an improved version of your previous one. That could mean anything from better benefits, a superior salary, and great work-life balance while also working in a role that both challenges and inspires you. So give this new job a good assessment to see if it fits your criteria. Go through the pluses and minuses of the position to see if it would really work for you, both now and in the future.