Benjamin Todd

So start by making a long list of options, longer than your first inclination.

We'll talk more about how to do this in Chapter 9.

Figure out your key uncertainties.

You don't have time to try or investigate every job, so you need to narrow down the field.

To start, just make some rough guesses.

Roughly rank your options in terms of personal fit, impact, and supportive conditions for job satisfaction.

Plus career capital if you're comparing next steps rather than longer-term paths.

Then ask yourself, what are my most important uncertainties about this ranking?

In other words, if you could get the answers to just a few questions, which questions would tell you the most about which options should be top?

People often find the most important questions are pretty simple things, like 1.

If I applied to this job, would I get in?

2.

Would I enjoy this aspect of the job?

3.

Would the pay be high enough, given my student loans?

And 4.

What's the day-to-day routine actually like?

We have some more tips on how to predict your fit below.

Do cheap tests first.

Now that you have a list of uncertainties, try to resolve them.