You Are The Compass: 3 Tips to Help You Find the Right Opportunity

You’re scrolling through LinkedIn or reading job descriptions, and you might be wondering: How do I know which opportunity is right for me? Before you get caught up in qualifications or salary ranges, pause and consider what you want out of your next opportunity. The job description isn’t the compass. You are. Here are three tips that will help you lead your job search with clarity, alignment, and power.

1. Know What You're Really Looking For. Every compass needs a fixed point. That means getting crystal clear on what you need in this season of your life and leadership. Start by identifying what matters most in your career. Are you seeking flexibility and autonomy, or do you need structure and stability to perform at your best? Consider factors such as team culture, growth opportunities, location, manager style, and alignment with organizational values. Don’t just react to what’s posted; instead, decide what you want. When you define your own job standards, you’ll move from chasing roles to recognizing the right fit when it appears.

2. Position Yourself with Intention, Not Perfection. Start with what you do best. What are your innate strengths or learned skillsets that consistently deliver value? What types of work energize you? Perhaps it involves strategy design, program development, managing complex projects, analyzing data, or aligning and developing teams around a shared vision. Whatever it is, name it clearly. Knowing what you’re great at and what you enjoy is the foundation of how you show up and contribute. You don’t need to meet every bullet on a job description to be qualified. But you do need to connect the dots between your capability and the role you’re considering. Reflect on your past results and how they translate into future impact. Lead with that clarity, and you’ll not only position yourself with confidence, but you’ll also actively show the value you bring that aligns with the opportunity you want.

3. You’re Not Just Applying, You’re Assessing. Job searching isn’t a passive process; it’s an active two-way conversation. It’s about assessing the full picture: the position, the people, and the culture. Throughout your research and interviews, consider whether the organization’s values, priorities, and team dynamics align with your own. Ask direct questions. How does this role contribute to the broader goals of the organization? What autonomy or ownership might you have in shaping its direction? What does success look like for the team, and is the infrastructure in place to support it? This kind of alignment extends beyond the job description and helps ensure you’re building a career that truly aligns with your goals. Lead with your standards. 

Ready to go deeper? Join the Opportunity Hub to download our Job Standards Worksheet. This will help you define what matters most in your next role and evaluate opportunities with clarity and purpose.