How To Rate Your Job

This is a very simple frame I use to help people rate their jobs:

It’s nothing fancy.  It’s just a quick way to get a good sense of job they’ve got.  Here are three quick checks:

• Career – Does your job have career trajectory?  Will it expand your capabilities?  Will you get the experiences you need to grow in levels?  Does it grow you in the discipline that you want to grow in?  Does it have portable equity?
• Charter – Does your job have the right scope?   Is it a compelling mission?  Do you have enough whitespace to make meaningful impact?
• Coalition – Do you have the network?  Do you have the support of your manager?  Do you have the support of your peers?  Do you have friends in high places?  Can you build a coalition of the willing to help you make things happen?

If I were to expand the set, I might include a Competencies check, and a Culture check.  Most importantly, I would include a Values check.  The best job you can have, is the one where you can find a way to spend more time in your values.   Notice how I said “find a way” – it’s rare that your dream job falls into your lap … it’s more of an exercise of shaping and transformation, both of the job, and of yourself.