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How to assess the quality of your current situation and future opportunities while ensuring that you don't get lured into unwise job changes due to a hot market.

Are you getting several calls a week from recruiters? Are your local want ads full of tax positions? Today's employment market is very hot and there are many opportunities. How do you know which is the best opportunity for you?

Should you make a move or should you stay where you are? In order to help you better evaluate future job opportunities, we have developed a template for you to analyze your current position and future potential. The purpose of this is so you will NOT make an emotional decision but rather one based on facts and good judgement.

I. TAKE INVENTORY.

  A. What are your strengths, both technically and personally?

1. Define these.
2. Are you currently utilizing your strengths?
3. If not, why?
4. In what type of position do you think you could better utilize your strengths?

  B. What are your weaknesses, both technically and personally, you wish to improve on?

1. Define these.
2. Are you currently strengthening these areas?
3. If not, why?
4. In what type of position could you Improve these areas?

  C. Are you happy at your present company and position? If not, why? What specific changes would result in your being happy?

  D. If generally happy, is there anything you would change specifically about your present company and position?

II. DEFINE YOUR SHORT AND LONG TERM PROFESSIONAL & PERSONAL GOALS.

lf married and have a family, personal goals must be considered as a family unit.

A. Define both your short and long term personal goals.

1. Do they conflict with each other?
2. If they conflict, redefine

1. Do they conflict with each other?
2. If they conflict, redefine.

1. Do they conflict in any way?
2. If they conflict, redefine.

III. EVALUATE YOUR CURRENT SITUATION IN RELATIONSHIP TO YOUR SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM GOALS

A. What do you like and dislike about your current position?

1. The technical aspect of your work (specific issues you handle)?
2. The amount of research and planning, compliance (both prep and review) and audit?
3. Your position or level in the department?
4. What is your future potential with your current employer, in tax and out of tax?
5. How is the tax department viewed by the financial management team? Is it proactive, viewed as a profit center or is it reactive- viewed as a cost center?
6. Do you like the people you work with?
7. Do you have the ability to continue learning? Do you have a mentor? Is the quality of that person acceptable?

B. Can both the professional short and long term goals be achieved in your current situation? Can both the personal short and long term goals be met while you are In your current position?

C. If they cannot, can adjustments be made in your current situation to allow these goals to be fulfilled?

D. If your goals can be achieved in your current situation, what is needed to occur to make It happen?

1. Are there actions you need to take?

2. Define these actions specifically.

3. Are you willing to do these actions?

4. Are there actions which need to be taken by others so you can achieve your goals? Define these actions. Are you able to get a commitment and a timetable from these people?

5. Is the overall time frame of when you would achieve these goals at your current employer acceptable to you?

6. Based upon the above evaluation you should be able to decide if you should be interviewing or not.

IV. BUILD THE TEMPLATE.

For any new opportunity to be of serious consideration it must move you toward both your professional and personal goals faster than your current situation. Build a template out of your short term and long term professional and personal goals.

A. Describe the profile of your ideal position, be as specific and tangible as possible, then prioritize by level of Importance.

1. Type of work.
   a. Percentage of compliance, research and planning and audit responsibility.
   b. Supervision of others.
2. Characteristics of the company and/or industry you seek.
3. Level of position - how you are positioned in the department.
4. Type of people you want to work with - personality, energy level, credentials, level of expertise.
5. Company's attitude toward tax.
   a. Proactive?
   b. Maintenance oriented?
   c. Middle of the road?
6. Compensation
   a. More interested in base salary (acceptable range).
   b. Bonus potential (range). Describe the ideal.
   - Company based?
   - Department based?
   - Individual based?
   c. Deferred compensation - stock plans.
7. Management style you work best with - "hands- off", micro-management; independent but open door policy?
8. Benefits. Identify any specific issues which are priorities for you (i.e. tuition reimbursement, retirement plans, health care, fitness center or day care on site)?
9. Travel: What percentage of your time is acceptable? Length of trips? Which locations are you willing to travel to?
10. Balance of Life issues.
    a. Work hours (maximum per week average).
    b. Vacation policy.
    c. Flexible schedule.
11. Geographic location of position.
    a. Locations you prefer.
    b. Locations you will consider.

B. Contrast this "profile of your ideal position" against your short/long term goals. Make sure there is no conflict. After you have completed this task, you will have a template to lay against any specific job opportunity which may be presented to you. Remember, when evaluating any new job opportunity to also compare it to your professional and personal short term and long term goals.

Is the potential opportunity in line with what you defined above? How would you rate this new opportunity against your ideal? By evaluating what you want to do and what you are currently doing, you can keep from getting lured into an unwise job change in today's hot market. Always compare possible situations with this analysis in order to make a good choice.

Making decisions about new opportunities should be based on facts. Never make an emotional decision about a potential job change.

Inevitably both your personal and professional goals will change throughout your career, therefore it is essential to review this analysis at least twice a year.