It sure smells good over here!

I was talking today with a senior financial type person. We were talking because I thought he might be a fit for one of the roles I am working on.

He sounded pretty astute – like someone who had been around the block a few times.

Here’s what he said:  “You know, Laura, a good company is not good by accident.  There is nothing random about it.  I know good companies. I can smell them.”

Naturally, he is very happy where he is.  He knew exactly what he was looking for when he was evaluating opportunities as they were presented to him.

What about the rest of us?  What about those of us who are not so sure what their dream company looks like or, for that matter, smells like?

• Fast growth or something more stable
• Big or small or in between
• Something familiar or a totally different space
• Local or international
• A place where you are known or a place where no one has ever heard of you

There is no right answer, no magical formula.  The best way to evaluate different options is to weigh what is being offered against what you have now and what you want your future to look like.

Maybe it should smell like a crisp, new shirt or maybe it should smell like a warm, chocolate cookie.  It’s up to you.