Job Hunting: Determining the Goal

As I mentioned earlier, I have decided that now is the time to begin looking for employment elsewhere. Now comes the soul searching where I figure out what I want for a job, why I want it and how realistic my goals are.

I can’t say I have all the answers, but a lot of them have to take into consideration what has gotten me to the point I am at now - that of wanting to move on. What has caused me to feel this way? What elements were in play? What goals do I have? These are all important questions with answers that I will, no doubt, have to figure out soon. There are some things I know though.

1. I am independent and have been given a great deal of autonomy to work in this manner at both NG and the Connection. The fact that I am a wannabe-Problogger speaks to this as well. I don’t like micromanagement and while I don’t mind having a boss, I like the variety of boss that trusts me to get the job done in the best and most efficient way possible.
2. I live an elegantish lifestyle and am not willing to give up some of the creature comforts I enjoy now. Perhaps my tastes are too rich, but I am not satisfied to work my tail off just to survive. If I’m going to work, I expect to enjoy my life in the manner and way of my choosing and so I cannot work odd jobs to supplement my income all my life. A job that I take should provide me a level of income to travel, take time off of work or buy “stuff”. I like “stuff” and I’m not ashamed by that.
3. Semper Fi! No I’m not a Marine and I shiver to think of which Marines I just offended by using their term, but I think it describes my work ethic. I know it does and I’ve got folks who would vouch for that. Semper Fidelis, or Semper Fi, means always faithful and though I may be picky about the terms and conditions of a job, when I do a job I do it all out and to the best of my ability. I enjoy the pseudo-narcotic high that comes with completing a task and if I, being my worst critic, feel like I have done a crap job I feel dirty. I need a job that will allow me to throw myself at projects and knock them out, whatever the project might be and not rest until it is done.
4. Influence is key. I think, as a blogger, I thrive on knowing that what I think and how I feel has an effect on others. In a large company, such as NG, I am simply a number and unless by some stroke of luck, I get selected as an Executive, my influence will be minimal. I enjoyed the three week trip to Mississippi after Katrina because my work there meant 19,000 employees got back to work. That means something. If I’m going to have a new job, it needs to be one of influence. Don’t expect me to sit back and just go with the flow. I’ll challenge the status quo mentality if it needs to be challenged and if it makes the collective “us” better for it. It’s my nature.
5. Startups seem to be the best “fit” for me. I’ve never worked on a startup, and there’s very few in the DC Area. I’d probably have to sacrifice on the creature comfort part above but the style of company and the style of work is important to me. Startups provide a wrapper around most of the items I’ve listed. They demand an energetic and devoted person who is willing to think outside of the box to grow something that has nothing more than potential. This is my style. I love it. Mostly because I can stamp my name on it at the end, win or lose.
6. Innovative Techology is important to me. I keep a blog on emerging technologies over at Emerging Earth because forward thinking, progressive technology is awesome. It’s where the world is going and to not pay attention to it is like sticking your head in the sand. I’ve been working with an “Old Technology” kind of company that does not innovate (it’s not in the business model nor do most government customers want innovation - they want service) in the area of Information Technology.

I’m bound to come up with other thoughts but that gives you an idea of what I’m going to be thinking about as I job hunt. I’m picky. I admit it. But I have alot to look at. My lease is up at the end of April so I can even relocate for the right job. Mostly I’m keeping my eyes on the Baltimore/Washington market though.

Tagged as: job_search