Determining if a role is the right fit for you, can be more complicated than it seems, but these five questions can help you make a better decision as to whether or not a role is the right fit for you.
5 Questions:
- What are the expectations of this role and how will success be measured? Understanding the leader's definition of success, the timelines or goals associated with that success, and how it will be measured is the first step to determining if a role is the right fit for you. This question sets the stage for you to determine whether or not you think you can be successful in the role as it exists today or for you to determine what else will be needed to meet leadership’s expectations. Keep in mind that you may need to ask for certain expectations to shift based on the resources available or the desired timeline. Don’t be afraid to ask if it will be the difference between you accepting the role or passing on the opportunity.
- Do I enjoy the work that goes along with the role and is it fulfilling? Some people love the hunt of a sale, while others thrive in building processes, and yet others despise them both. Understanding what makes you tick and gives you a sense of fulfillment is essential to being successful and not getting burnt out in any role. Sure, there are aspects of any position that are less enjoyable and simply something you must do, but overall you should consider the core elements of the work involved in the role and determine if it’s something you enjoy or if it’s worth taking on for a period of time, as a means to getting you a step closer to the role you truly desire.
- What is needed to be successful in this role? This can represent a variety of things, from budget, to a team, or tools and technology that will help you be successful. In many ways, this goes back to the expectations in place for the role. Since your success will be shaped by the expectations tied to the role, you should base what’s needed upon the objectives in place. For instance, if your main objective will require a team of highly driven sales people who can go out and generate their own leads, but the current team in place does not fit that description, you should ask if the person hired for this role will have the autonomy to choose their own team. As doing so will directly impact your ability to have success in the role. There are a variety of needs associated with the success of your particular role, so be sure to take the time to determine what resources are needed to be successful.
- What is the history of this role? Historically, have people in this role been successful? If so, why or why not? Some opportunities exist because something or someone did not go according to plan. In this case, it’s important to find out why in order to avoid the same mistakes as the last person. If someone has had previous success in this role, it’s equally as important to find out how or why they were successful. Understanding what works and what doesn’t work early and often can help save invaluable time, while simultaneously setting you up to be successful.
- Who will I be reporting to and do we work well together? I intentionally left this question for last because your boss will have a direct impact on both your success in the role and whether or not you enjoy the work you’re doing. Imagine having a boss who gives very little guidance, does not train you, is unavailable when you have questions, but still has high expectations. Then, consider another boss, who wants daily updates, is constantly micromanaging the project you are responsible for, and constantly intervenes directly with your team on the project's deliverables instead of going through you, while having high expectations. For some, boss number one might sound like a dream, while boss number two may sound like a nightmare. In reality, the ideal is probably somewhere in between, but nevertheless it’s important to know who you will be reporting to, their management style, and their character. In business, just as in life, there will be times when things do not go according to plan. In those times, it’s important to know that your manager will be invested in you in the ways that you need to be supported, and that they will operate with enough integrity to speak up or be accountable for their own shortcomings when need be. Having this will support you in being successful in your role.
Keep in mind, not all opportunities should be taken simply because they are presented. It’s important to utilize a framework that can guide you through your decision in determining what roles are right for you. All roles will inevitably come with responsibilities that are less than desirable to some, but being able to determine if a role is the right fit for you can set you up for success in your career.