W. P. Carey Alumni Share How to Assess Whether a Job is a Good Fit

We asked W. P. Carey Alumni: What should students consider when evaluating if a role is a good fit?

Here is what they shared:

  • Match Your Long-Term Goals With the Job Role
  • Focus on the Short-Term while Your Eyes Are on the Long-Term
  • Find a Job that Energizes You
  • Talk to a Senior Leader in the Role You Are Considering
  • Research the Company’s Culture and Mission
  • Seek Opportunities for Challenge and Growth
  • Focus on Skills and Not Income
  • Answer Important Questions About Your Purpose
  • Align Your Personal and Professional Goals With the Company

Match Your Long-Term Goals With the Job Role

Your long-term goals should heavily influence your consideration of a job’s worth. Growth opportunities should be an important factor to consider and what you want is dependent on your goals. If you are looking to spring up the corporate ladder, look for a start-up or an emerging growth company. The pay will be lower, some of it will be tied to equity, and the risk of the company failing will be much higher, but in exchange, you will have the opportunity to jump titles and responsibilities much quicker. And a resume that says “took the company from $100k in revenue to $20 million” is always a plus. 

If your goal is a solid, consistent job that pays well, look for a mature company with great reviews of culture.  It will be difficult to move up because roles above you will be entrenched (who would want to leave!), but in exchange, you will get a good paycheck, get deep expertise in your role, and (probably) enjoy your co-workers.

Dustin Sitar, MBA ‘19, BriteCo Inc

Focus on the Short-Term while Your Eyes Are on the Long-Term

Conventional wisdom suggests we should think about the “five-year plan,” but there are too many unknown variables, and we can’t plan for everything. Instead, focus on the short term. Does this role make me happy in the short term and help with my long-term goals? If the answer is yes, go for it. If no, try to figure out why and look at other options.

Ken Kanara, Entrepreneurship & Management ‘06, ECA Partners

Find a Job that Energizes You

For college students evaluating the fit of any job, whether it’s intended to last a few months or a few years, I think the primary element to consider is how much they think the work they’ll perform on the job will energize them. An energizing job not only offers work that someone can do well, but also work that intrinsically motivates this person to look forward to it each morning, and work harder/longer at it, because it intellectually intrigues them and physically/emotionally invigorates them…they really dig it! 

One doesn’t need to enjoy each part of their job, but as long as a job’s primary work activities energize this person, then the better they’ll perform, the happier they’ll be, and the more likely they’ll continuously improve and commit to their job for the long-haul.

Richard Schorr-Coben, Supply Chain Management ‘17, Deloitte Consulting, LLC

Talk to a Senior Leader in the Role You Are Considering

Talk to a senior leader in the career path you are evaluating. For example: If you are interested in pursuing a Marketing career in Tech, make a shortlist of companies that you are interested in, look up who is the senior leader (Sr. Director, VP, SVP, CMO etc.) and try to connect with them over a coffee / virtual meet-up. Target to have at least 5-7 conversations. This will give you a high-level snapshot of what a day in life could look like for you.

Fahad Muhammad, Business Management ‘08, Daylight

Research the Company’s Culture and Mission

It is important to research the company’s culture, values, and mission. Ensuring those values and mission align with your own will lead to a successful long-term relationship and career. Ask how the immediate team you would be joining operates and collaborates on a day-to-day basis.

From a culture point of view, understand how employees are promoted to senior leadership roles, including the training opportunities and career paths one should expect to encounter. Ask questions like how the company handled the COVID-19 pandemic and if there were any layoffs that impacted the company’s organizational structure. The answers to these topics can give insight into the company culture and whether the job/role/company is a good fit for you.

Sameer Raut, BS CIS ‘10 & MBA ‘15, Sunstate Equipment

Seek Opportunities for Challenge and Growth

If you select a comfy role where you’re not being challenged, then you’re likely not learning or growing. Read the job description and assess if the role offers an opportunity for you to challenge yourself by learning a new skill, exploring an unfamiliar industry, or developing a soft skill you’re lacking. Most employers also look favorably upon candidates that push themselves out of their comfort zone to try something new. When assessing if a role is right for you, make sure there’s some degree of challenge associated with it. Get comfortable being uncomfortable for maximal growth. 

Jorge Tenorio, BS Biomedical Engineering & Minor in Business ‘12, MS Industrial Engineering ‘13, SpaceX

Focus on Skills and Not Income

When considering jobs, initially focus on the environment, C-suite, boss, and direct supervisor who are most impressive, experienced, and skillful. Live like a spartan, keep your expenses down, your life small and spend your time at work diligently acquiring skills. As your skills grow, so will your opportunities and your income. By keeping expenses low you can have quality of life on a lower income, less stress, and a clear mind to spend your time learning while still having quality of life.

Make your work choices only about work. Stay laser-focused on opportunities that help you grow and do not mix them with social issues. Make work about work and keep your eye on acquiring skills. Once you are skillful and valuable in the workplace you will have endless opportunities to start your own business or to excel within quality companies.

Mario Altiery, Marketing ‘90, Upside Group Franchise Consulting

Answer Important Questions About Your Purpose

When evaluating a job/role I believe the first step is doing some work around your personal “Why.” Your personal “Why” is behind everything you do; it is your expression to the world. What is it that you want your life to promote in the world? Once you know this, vocational choice simplifies. Is this job/role in alignment with your “Why”, if so, full steam ahead!

Tony King, BS Business Management ‘83, Personal Financial Strategy

Align Your Personal and Professional Goals With the Company

Be passionate about the role you are applying for. Ideally, there should be a strong alignment with your personal and professional goals and with the company culture, corporate social responsibility (CSR), stakeholder optimization, and DEI policies. 

Passion is what will drive you to deliver more and exceed expectations. Make passion your purpose!

Priyanka Arora, Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management, American Airlines, Inc.

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By W. P. Carey Career Services Center
W. P. Carey Career Services Center