I was at a crossroads...🤷🏻♀️
What's the best way to choose between two jobs?
Hello, Friend,
How's your week been? Mine's been a whirlwind, even the weekend. But I figured it's time we got to know each other a bit better, so here's a personal story.
Last week I had to choose between two jobs. And since I spend roughly eight hours (almost) daily in that environment, it’s one of the most important aspects of my life.
Maybe I'm a bit old-fashioned in this whole startup hustle culture, but there's something about the 9-to-5 that I just like. The routine, the stability, the feeling of belonging in a team - it all adds up. Plus, there are perks to being an employee, especially in the IT world. Right now, I'm a Senior Brand Designer at a SaaS company, and let me tell you, it's been a wild ride getting here.
But coming back to the choices…
This week, the universe threw me a curveball: stay put or jump ship? But when both places have great products, cool teams, and decent pay, how do you even choose? What matters most? What do you prioritize? Naturally, I did what most of us do when stumped - I googled it.
And after that, I rephrased them to fit my scenario and added my own questions:
Think and compare how each position fits with your long-term career goals. → Remember what drives you, where you want to be in 5 years, and how working in that company is getting you closer to that situation.
Be careful of your reasons. → Do you want to make a change, and why? Is it something that can be addressed and solved at your current job? Are you working in an environment with a solving-problem approach, or do they lack the understanding for this? This was the time to take a step back and have a birds-eye view.
The work-life balance we all need. → Are you working in a company that knows that your free time is yours and yours only? If there are any exceptions to this rule, do they initiate a transparent discussion on how you will be rewarded for your extra hours?
People make the company. → Did you find your tribe? Are learning and growing part of your discussions with your co-workers, or are you too busy gossiping?
Don't get blinded by money. → While this is an important and sometimes decisional factor of why people accept new job opportunities, the decisions should be made considering many more factors. At the end of the day, it all depends on what your priorities are.
Compare your two prospective managers and write down how a day at that job would be. → What does a day in the life of a designer at those two companies look like? What are the differences in the work process? What are the differences between managers? What about the co-workers?
ALWAYS trust your gut. → You know what is best for you, and you should always trust that feeling that’s guiding you like a compass.
While all these points were valid, for me, it came down to growth. And not the kind that just climbs you up the corporate ladder and gets you a fancy title. I mean the kind that makes you smile at the end of the day, proud of yourself and your work. Knowing you learned something new, collaborated with awesome colleagues, and created something you can truly brag about. Growth within a creative community.
As designers and humans, we often have this voice in our heads that fills us with insecurities and anxieties called impostor syndrome. And this life-long battle with that feeling of not being the best or enough at what we do gets easier by the most unexpected and frightening thing: being vulnerable.
When you realize that you are not the only one dealing with that, and the feeling of belonging creeps up, you gather up the courage to try again, learn and work harder because you are part of a community of like-minded people who face the same problems and wants just like you, to be and do better.
You learn to rely on the facts, cultivate self-compassion, and even celebrate your small wins. That’s how you evolve or how it happened to me.
I was the only designer in the company at my previous jobs. And while I enjoyed being “the expert” (even though I was a junior then), it was tough to keep up with skills, tricks, tips, and trends. I used to design from stationary to mobile/web UI to social media posts. It was a bit of everything for everyone. And while I liked the process because it led me from an everything-can-be-done-designer to a brand designer, I must admit that being alone was hard; and my growth, even tho it was visible over the years, was a bit slow.
Fast forward a few years, and I am lucky to work with another 10 designers at my current job. Managers are role models for every one of us. They are kind and understanding people and very down to earth. So, of course, I have developed my skills in the past two years working with other designers and marketers more than I have been for five years working as a lone wolf at different companies - because I had this environment and the drive inside me.
It is so important to be surrounded by passionate and creative people. To share tips, resources, and knowledge. And sometimes, I took that for granted and maybe focused on small details that now I don’t even remember. Because bad days happen at every job, and once in a blue moon, you will get annoyed with a co-worker, and sometimes even, you will be the annoying one. But those insignificant memories will fade away compared to your evolution as a person and designer because you can’t have one without the other.
So I encourage you to find the community that helps you grow and improve your work. It makes all the difference.
This week’s reflections are as follows:
💭 What are your non-negotiables when it comes to a job?
💭 Through what ways do you prioritize your growth when it comes to your career?
💭 Did you find your tribe of like-minded people with whom you can grow?
This week’s reminders are:
✏️ Speak your mind, even if it frightens you; Authenticity is DOPE and will always make people respect you.
✏️ People have different perspectives; take a step back and analyze things from another angle; It’s an excellent empathy exercise.
✏️ For growth to happen, sometimes it’s enough to change your mindset, not the place. Success will follow.
This week’s highlights:
❤️ Coffee & chitchat with my favorite co-worker and friend.
❤️ A joke my bf told me when we passed by this pick-up point: “Where do you lock up all the gangsters? In a...G Locker.”
❤️ Tried a new recipe of banana oats pancakes - with no sugar chocolate spread & strawberries on the side.
❤️ The weather outside was beautiful, and I went for a walk with a good friend.
In the meantime… hit reply and tell me:
How do you prefer to work, as a lone wolf or in a team? Do you think it impacts your growth?
Big smiles,
Mira