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Evaluating Job Opportunities with the Decision Matrix 

By George Colberg 

This scoring system can help you choose the right position for you 

Evaluating job opportunities can be a complex, stressful process. By looking at your professional and personal goals and using a Decision Matrix to rank each opportunity based on what's most important to you, the process can be logical and simplified. Job decisions are never easy. However, this process will help you to confidently sort through all the possibilities and make the right choice.

As you evaluate your own wants and needs, make sure you differentiate between the two.  For the most part, needs are not negotiable, while wants can be. Start with creating a personal inventory.  Look at your home life considerations.  How much time per week do you need to be at home?  How long will it take you to commute from the company?  What about proximity to family and close friends?  Do you need to be close enough to drive there for dinner twice a month, or to have family watch your children while you’re away?  Do you want to “fix up” an old ranch house or live in a new development? 

Then there’s community life – an area where needs and wants can be murky.  Look at cultural aspects of the community: performing arts, galleries, theater and movies.  Consider how many you attend now, not necessarily what you like.  There are many native New Yorkers, for instance, who have never seen a Broadway play.  How about shopping, amusement parks, schools, and school-sponsored extracurricular and recreational activities?  Is there a college or university nearby?  What about churches and religious schools? Do you prefer outdoor activities like hiking or using jogging and biking trails?  Are there lakes for sailing or are you close to the ocean?  If you enjoy both mountains and beaches, can you find a location halfway between? Take the time to think about what leisure activities bring you the most enjoyment, but try to refrain from recreational and cultural overload.  After all, you’ve also got a job to do!

Consider your transportation options.  How easy is it to get out of town and fly across time zones?  Are there sufficient, reliable trains to whisk you away for the holidays?  Is that city’s freeway system known for gridlock and two-hour, stop-and-go commutes?  What is your tolerance level for traffic?

It’s often a good idea to bring your spouse with you when traveling out-of-town to consider a job opportunity.  Your spouse can evaluate the location better that way and help to sort through what’s best for both of you and your family.  This will lessen the chance of miscommunication when it’s time to make the decision.

As you change and grow, so will your needs and wants.  When you run down the list, consider your current needs and the needs you’ll have in a few years.  For example, newly married couples may not be thinking yet of children. In five years, however, nearby parks, adequate childcare and quality schools might be top priorities.  Think of what you do (or would like to do) daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly – from attending NFL games and local plays to running.

Professional criteria

Next are the professional considerations:  Research the competition.  How many other companies are there in the area?  In general, when exploring the opportunity and the Quality community, you also will need to know the terrain in which they exist and you may live.  Since the community will be your livelihood, investigate the past and present economic health of the area, as well as its future prospects related to your professional niche.  Ask about new growth in the area.  Who’s doing it and is it expansion of existing industry or establishment of a new economic presence? 

Always research the company before the interview. Arrive early and explore the location of the company. What are the sights and sounds of the environment? Notice the traffic patterns and arrive early enough to get a glimpse of some interactions between people employed by the company and the public. When evaluating a job opportunity, the often elusive but crucial element to consider is philosophical compatibility between you and the company. Whether the position is for staff or management, you’ll want to know about the company’s position on quality and their level of commitment.  Inquire about any new and exciting projects, as well as future developments in the company and its quality department. Ask for a candid assessment of the challenges you, the department and the company will face. Does the chemistry feel like a good fit?

The Decision Matrix

By using the Decision Matrix, you can objectively find the best job based on your preferences.  First, determine what your “ideal” job is.  For each of the 16 areas, check those you consider essential, those that are your needs and strong wants.  If it’s not essential, don’t check it.  You may use an asterisk (*) for up to five categories you feel are completely nonnegotiable, such as spouse consideration or income.  Add up the number of checks for your ideal job score.  You may need to repeat this process several times before your first interview to clearly sort out your needs from your wants.

Most accurate assessments are done within 24 to 72 hours after the interview. Objectivity improves with distance so you may want to conduct this process on the flight home.  Evaluate consistently among all opportunities by assigning a grade of one to five, with five being the best.  Add up each score and compare that with your ideal.  The highest score may not necessarily win.  Look for the higher scores in the areas you feel most strongly about, and make sure all the starred areas are covered.

Keep in mind that a job search can be all consuming and it’s easy to lose perspective.  Even though it’s a tough market in certain parts of the country, your professional success and personal happiness depend on your ability to thrive in the location and company you choose.  When it comes to where to locate, keep your options open.  Sometimes, you may find the right position in an unlikely place.  Prolonging a decision can be costly.  An attractive job is like fresh fruit that will spoil if you wait too long to take a bite. If a job opportunity meets your needs and most of your wants, seize the opportunity by expressing your interest and pursuing it.

The Matrix Form

Directions:

1. With an asterisk (*), identify up to five categories you feel are completely non-negotiable in your ideal job (i.e. spouse consideration, income, etc.).

2. For each job, rank the categories from 1 (low) to 5 (high).

3. Total up points, evaluate * categories & scores first.

About the Author

George Colberg is a senior recruiter and the general manager of the San Diego office of MSI International, a recruiting firm established in 1968 with offices throughout the United States and in Europe. He can be reached at mca@n2.net or 800-859-5222. Visit www.msi-intl.com.