Job Selection Advice
What should you want out of your next job?
Since I first posted this on LinkedIn in 2021 employment has gotten significantly more challenging in a number of tech fields. So here is an update that I hope will help those who are looking, those feeling they are about to have to look, and everyone else that will be looking for a new job at some point in their career.
You must accept personal ownership for choosing what you want to do with at least the next few years of your life. Nobody can do this for you.
Your time is a scarce, non-renewable resource so spend care in deciding. On the other hand it is difficult to make a choice because as they say, it is difficult to make predictions, especially about the future. It's even harder to foresee consequences, especially on your first couple jobs when you are learning how everything works. But if you end up making a choice that works out poorly, then figure out the lesson to learn and switch to something else.
Take a look at how the job fulfills or supports your needs on Maslow's Hierarchy (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs ; note that you can find many articles on this topic related to organizational structure on a web search).
Some of us live to work; some work to live. There is no one right answer, but at least this gives you a simple checklist of what you want to be provided by the job -- and what you don't. If you're signing up for a 12 hour x 7 day type job, it had better go a long way to filling up that pyramid in an acceptable, non-destructive way while you're at work, because you'll always be at work.
Figure: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.
All organizations have dysfunction. Figure out if this organization's dysfunctions are going to be irritating to you or get in the way of satisfying your needs. Most people can stand an irritating environment less well than they think they can.
When you're young there is a lot to be said for working in a structured, mature organization. You learn a lot. Later on you might want less structure. Skipping right to an unstructured job at an immature company will teach you a lot of bad habits that it can take a lifetime to unlearn and leave many holes in your practical education. (Some jump right to a startup company with no "graybeards". Some skip college. Some get rich by winning the actual lottery or the IPO lottery. Some don't. I can only tell you how to stack the odds in your favor.) Consider availability of mentors at your new job.
Ask if the level of responsibility & authority is a fit both in terms of scope and structure. My experience has ranged from military officer (highly structured; guaranteed warm meals + place to sleep) to consultant (freedom but few safety nets). Where you want to be likely changes as your career progresses.
Read the general job hunting advice for things such as the challenging realities of accepting a low paying first job and trying to get raises later. The classic book is the "what color is your parachute" series. Keep in mind that highly skilled workers are a bit different than the general work force. It helps to have a realistic understanding of what you are worth, and to get some objective advice from someone you trust on whether you're getting taken advantage of in a job offer. In some organizations you’ll be taken advantage of if you don’t negotiate the offer. (Consider whether that dynamic is indicative of a power structure you want to be a part of.)
After you've considered the above, IMHO only then should you worry about the more common philosophical areas you see mentioned on this topic. (And really, most of them end up on the upper levels of Maslow's Hierarchy.) My personal preferences are:
Surround yourself with the smartest, most capable people you can (but stopping short of jerks, keeping in mind that a “no jerks” official policy might be implemented on a relative rather than absolute scale).
Work for good leaders that support and empower those who work with them.
Take advantage of any opportunity you can get to improve your communication skills and soft skills.
If you're taking a job purely for the money, go into that situation with an exit plan and target exit date. And make sure that is really how you want to spend a part of your life. For some people this is a rational choice, but keep your eyes wide open if you do.
If you're stressed out, perhaps it's time to find a new job. (Or re-invent your job.)
If you're stressed out about your career, perhaps it's time to reinvent yourself and find a new career.
Be mindful of the sunk cost fallacy. When combined with inertia, this can keep you in an unhealthy place for a long time. This modifies the stock advice to keep updating your skills to also encompass considering completely new domain knowledge. Sometimes you should be climbing a different mountain rather than hill-climbing the same one for diminishing returns.
Once you leave a technical role it can be difficult to go back. For many people that’s OK. Try to decide how you really feel about that.
If you strive to be the absolute best at what you do, opportunities will find you. Especially if you spend time building up a visible reputation for being the best based on legitimate expertise rather than hype.
If most days you wake up and are eager to get to work, reflect on how fortunate you are to have that — even if some days suck.
Don't forget the part that you own your choice. Your preferences will probably differ.
I apologize that I cannot respond to questions about your particular individual situation. The hours in my day are already too few to accomplish what I'd like for my own personal goals. I took some time to write this to help as many people as I can (one of my goals), but I lack the time to provide individual responses. So if I don't respond to a personal query, please understand (and better yet, send the personal query to a trusted friend instead).
I hope this is helpful, and wish you the best of luck in your job choices and your career!