Communications of the ACM

practice
CHANGING JOBS—ESPECIALLY the higher up you get
in your career—is a complex process. There are so
many factors to consider, and often the factors that
stand out most are the ones that matter the least:
fancy titles, exciting projects, tempting promises of
future success …
But those factors that seem so valuable in the
moment are just that—they are momentary. Your
career isn’t just about this one next step you are taking.
Your career is a journey that will last a long time.
It is smarter to invest in your long-term success.
Focus on factors that will increase your career capital
and make you a more valuable hire in your next role,

and the one after that, and the one after that.

When you are looking at the options for your next role, there are smarter choices that you can make. Here are the most important factors to consider when picking your next opportunity.

Pick a Goal, Not a Title

A title looks good on a résumé, and might pump up your ego a little bit, but making your job title a serious factor in your job search is a big mistake.

Your title is so much less important than the work you do and the skills you develop while in a role. Those hiring you for your next role will know that. They might see that you were a VP in your last job, but if you don’t have any results or skills to show for it, you won’t stand out among the many other candidates who were also VPs in their last jobs.

If you want to be truly successful, then your career path should be about acquiring skills and accomplishments, not just upgrading to shinier and fancier titles.