THE BASICS “FOUR” SUCCESS

Trying to make a decision to accept or turn down an offer of employment is one of the most difficult decisions one must make throughout one’s career. Many people wished they would have invested more time and effort into studying and evaluating an opportunity before making a decision. There are of course many factors in any decision, some are obvious, some are subtle, and what is important to each of us is different. However, there is a “process” that works and it is important to follow it as closely as possible….. “The Basic Four Process”.

As in any process, there is a definite order to follow, and this is HIGHLY emphasized in the “Basic Four”. The Order of Importance of the Basic Four is:

The Position

What is the job the company is really asking you to fulfill initially? Break down what the day to day would be, and how much would you ENJOY this work? Along with this, it is essential to consider the people on the team you would be working with, as well as who would be your supervisor. These people don't have to become your best friends, yet they ought to be people you respect and have a mutual "cohesiveness with ", which hopefully would become stronger as time goes on. Your relationship with your supervisor also needs to be one that you feel is a "two-way street", so when you need some support, it would be given to you, and when you want to share an idea, it would be truly heard and taken into consideration. The "Triad" of: your day to day work enjoyment, your connection with co-workers, and your rapport with your supervisor, are the most crucial issues on which to focus your thoughts!

Growth

This means different things to people, yet in general it is what an employer can offer you long-term that is beyond your initial assignment. It could mean good, continually challenging work, or perhaps some level of management responsibility or even a switch into something totally different than your initial role. (i.e. from design engineering to Sales). Whatever you see as YOUR growth path, does this company offer the kind of opportunities you are seeking in the future?

Location

Simply, this has everything to do with what you do when you’re not working! What is it that fills up your time when you are NOT physically or mentally at work? Can these activities be done in the new locations you're considering? Of course if you do not have to relocate it could mean just an adjustment in commute time. Keep in mind, some people actually prefer longer commutes as this is their personal time to prepare for the day or unwind from the day at work.

If it does mean a possible relocation, can you do the things you enjoy in your personal time and/or continue to do the things that others in your life require of you? Is there a cost of living difference? Far too often, people do not make the investment of time to consider relocation because it is difficult and requires time to do research as well as a certain amount of uncertainty, the “unknown”. DON'T take the path of least resistance, as a better opportunity could be missed! Job satisfaction is the number one reason people leave a job.... don’t' let # 3 skip ahead of # 1!!!

Economics Quotient - Hard & Soft

HARD EQ

This of course is what a company is willing to pay you for your hard work. It includes:

Base Salary
Potential incentive pay
Health care benefits & costs
Retirement benefits (Pension, 401K etc)
Relocation Assistance - what the company would pay to move you to their location.

Other things to consider are how often salary reviews are done and does the company have any precedence for early promotions.

SOFT EQ

One of the telling things to consider about a company is their "Soft Economics". That is what a company does to create an environment that allows you to your best work. Some of the more common examples of this are things like flex-time, tuition reimbursement, tools such has computers that can be used at home (even access via the internet to work from home), and on-site exercise facilities. It also includes something even more important than these things just mentioned. It is what a company would do when a crisis hits your personal life that goes above and beyond the sick time/bereavement pay a company may offer. Does the company have a "story to tell" about when a crisis happened to one of their employee's and what the company as a whole did to support that person. This kind of support is what keeps people truly committed to their work and employer….. “The Loyalty Factor" is the underlying soul of a company!