Three Things to Consider When Looking for a New Position
A new year is a great time to explore opportunities and challenge yourself in your career. Here's a look at three things to consider when looking for a new position.
It’s been on your list for a long time. Maybe you’re ready for a new challenge. Perhaps you’re looking for a new work environment, a new leader or a new and flexible work environment. If your career goals have been pushed aside for one reason or another, now is the time to pick them back up and press restart!
If you’ve found yourself asking, “How do I even start to look for a new position?” we have prepared a list of three, key things you should consider when starting your job search.
1. What’s important to you?
During different seasons of your life, the answer to this question may change. If you’re ready to mix it up, what do you want or need to be happy and engaged in your next position?
You may consider different aspects like an organization’s stability (you want a position with a company you know has a solid future, in a role you know will offer some longevity), compensation (you want or need to make more to support yourself or your family), benefits/flexibility (you want a role that provides the benefits you or your family needs, or you are seeking a position that allows you to work from home, flexible hours, etc.), environment/team (you want to work with a team of individuals you enjoy or leave you feeling inspired), growth (you are seeking growth in terms of skills, title, scope or long term opportunity).
April de Lima, Senior Director Talent Acquisition considered her priorities when selecting PPD.
“When I moved back to Wilmington, North Carolina, U.S., I was looking for a slower pace of life, but still wanted to feel challenged in my career,” de Lima explained. “I knew I wanted to find a company that was growing and large enough that I would have room to continue to grow my career as well.”
2. What are your skills, strengths and what do you like doing on a day to day basis?
Think about what you’ve done in the past, where you’ve excelled and what you’ve enjoyed. Do you love numbers and analysis? Look for something that allows you to flex these skills and continue to develop in this area. Do you love writing and creating? Consider roles where these skills will be allowed to shine.
When looking at job postings and interviewing, focus on positions that will provide the opportunity to use and build upon your strength while performing responsibilities you find engaging.
“As a remote site monitor (RSM), mentoring and training have been my favorite aspects of the position,” Molly Kaiser described of her decision to move from an individual contributor role to a people management position. “Everyone has the opportunity to do great things at PPD, so helping someone understand and succeed in their role means they can contribute more to their projects and the greater goal of developing life-changing therapies for those in need. I now get to practice this developed skill on a daily basis as an associate clinical manager (ACM); I truly am invested in my team and am excited to help them grow!”
3. What is the purpose of the organization, and how does it align with your values and goals?
At PPD, our purpose is simple: to improve health. We do that by helping our clients deliver life- changing therapies.
When looking at a potential role, look to its purpose and mission. Does it align with your beliefs? Does the company clearly define what they do and why they do it in a way that inspires or excites you?
“After working for many years outside the life sciences industry, I began looking for other career opportunities,” said Mike Becker, vice president of finance, about his decision to join PPD. “What attracted me to PPD was the direct and measurable impact I would be able to have on our larger worldwide community. In finance, I am able to leverage my prior critical thinking and problem-solving skills all while contributing to cutting-edge healthcare advances; thus, even as a non-medical person, I am still very tied to PPD’s purpose of improving health.”
Now that you’ve thought about what’s important to you; identified your strengths and what you enjoy; and found an organization that aligns with your values, it’s time to take that next step. Press restart and apply. We hope you consider PPD as you embark on your next career journey.
To learn more about career opportunities with PPD’s global team of more than 24,500 employees worldwide, visit www.ppd.com/careers to view current openings.
