Setting Priorities in the New Year

The second step of organizing a search is to figure out the logistics of what works for you. Once you’ve taken a moment to slow down and ground yourself, the next step in organizing your job search to create space to figure out your priorities. Don’t worry, you’re not diving into job searching tools or research or setting out a full plan. You’re just getting organized and designating space (manual or digital) to craft a search that truly works for you.

Photo by Judit Peter

This second week of focus is about priorities. Years ago I sat on the Metra train during my commute to the city and jotted down my list of my top 5 non-negotiable priorities. At the time, those priorities revolved around being able to be on 5:06 PM train to fetch the kids from daycare and having a job that didn’t require travel so that I could make the various holiday concerts, plays, recital dress rehearsals and countless soccer pick-ups and games. Dusting off my priorities list now (over a decade (ahem), later!) those priorities have naturally shifted a bit. Some of these priorities now, like mom’ing and taking care of two very busy teens, give me a different space of time to work and focus. If it’s been awhile since you’ve looked at what works for you, realistically, to work, now is the time.

Start With One Simple Tool

Before diving into job listings or applications, give yourself a place to capture your thoughts.

That might be:

• A spiral-bound notebook

• A notes app or document

• A simple spreadsheet

• A tool like Notion or Excel

There’s no “right” choice here. The goal is simply to have one place where your job search lives. Open the notebook. Create the file. Start the document. That alone is progress.

Determine Your Non-Negotiables

Next, take a few minutes to think about what really matters to you in your next role.

Ask yourself:

• What are 3–5 non-negotiables for my next job?

• These might include things like flexibility, compensation range, company values, leadership style, location, or growth opportunities.

You’re not locking yourself into anything yet. You’re simply getting honest with yourself about what you need. Taking this step will help you better evaluate the jobs you start to uncover to know if they will align with the priorities that you need, now, to keep your life stable.

You’ve got this. And remember that I’m here to help along the way.