Yesterday’s post dealt with maximizing your earning power ^[2] at your job by knowing the items you could potentially negotiate. Today, I’ll go over the important factors you should consider when choosing your employer and new boss. People DO choose their boss, though many think the boss chooses them. In reality, you decide where you’ll work. You decide if you’ll seek other employment. You hold the keys…at least figuratively!

When you choose your new boss, consider these factors:

1. Work–How much and how does it roll?
No matter which boss you choose or where you go to work, there will almost never be enough people to complete every process. Ask questions to determine if your new boss is results based ^[3] or just looking for someone to perform busy work. How does your prospective new boss assign work, assign those juicy new projects, reward performance, and grant time off? Do others in the department look haggard and directionless or do they look sharp and refreshed? Does the department have a crisp and fresh feeling or does it reek of neglect and de-motivation?

2. Management Type–Winnie the Pooh or Attila the Hun?
Ask your prospective new boss to describe his or her style of management ^[4]. Ask about his or her management and business philosophy. If all you get for answers are business school buzzwords and corporate blather, you can bet that what he or she calls management is chaotic, inefficient, and full of inequities. If possible, get additional input from co-workers, vendors, customers, or others in your professional network. Keep everything informal (hint: meet off site) and watch how they respond as much as you listen ^[5] to what they say. You can gather some keen insights into office morale.