When we ask candidates what they’re looking for in their next opportunity, the initial answer is often some version of the same thing:
More growth. Better compensation. A great company. Interesting work. More flexibility.
Of course, we’d all like all of those things.
But when an actual opportunity comes along, the decision becomes much more complicated. Maybe the compensation is great, but the commute isn’t. Maybe the title is a lateral move, but the role offers significantly more responsibility. Maybe the company is smaller than you envisioned, but you’d have direct access to leadership and the opportunity to help shape its growth.
Very few opportunities check every box.
That’s why one of the most valuable things you can do before starting a job search is determine what you’re actually optimizing for.
What Matters Most Right Now?
Your priorities will change throughout your career.
At one stage, you may want as much deal exposure as possible. At another, you may prioritize leadership opportunities, compensation, flexibility, stability, or the chance to work for a particular type of platform.
There’s no universally correct answer.
The important part is knowing your answer.
Start by identifying the three things that matter most in your next move. They might include:
- Compensation and long-term upside
- Career advancement
- Exposure to new areas of the business
- Company culture and leadership
- Flexibility or commute
- Stability
- Title
- Portfolio, deal size, or asset class
- Mentorship
- Opportunity to build or lead a team
Then take it one step further: Which of those are requirements, and which are preferences?
That distinction matters.
Look Beyond the Title
Commercial real estate titles can vary significantly from one company to another. A Vice President at one firm may have less responsibility than a Director at another.
Instead of evaluating an opportunity based solely on whether the title represents a step up, look at what you’ll actually be doing.
Will you have greater decision-making authority? Will you interact directly with senior leadership? Will you gain exposure to transactions, investors, development, or areas of the business you haven’t touched before?
Sometimes the opportunity that looks lateral on LinkedIn can be a significant step forward in your career.
Understand What You’re Trading
Every career move involves tradeoffs.
A larger institutional platform might provide resources, structure, and recognizable experience on your résumé. A smaller entrepreneurial company may give you broader responsibility and more influence.
A higher-paying role may require more time in the office. A position offering greater flexibility may not provide the same immediate compensation upside.
The question isn’t whether there are tradeoffs. There almost always are.
The question is whether you’re making the right tradeoffs for where you want to go.
Think Two Moves Ahead
One of the best ways to evaluate an opportunity is to ask:
If I take this job and do it well for the next three years, what will I be positioned to do next?
That question can change how you look at an opportunity.
A role that doesn’t provide an immediate title increase might give you experience you’re currently missing. A smaller company might allow you to touch multiple parts of the investment lifecycle. A new asset class or market could expand the opportunities available to you later.
Your next role doesn’t need to be your forever role. But ideally, it should move you closer to the career you ultimately want.
Define “Better” Before You Start Looking
It’s easy to say you’re open to a “better opportunity.”
The harder—and more important—question is defining what better actually means to you.
Before you start interviewing, get clear on your priorities, your non-negotiables, and where you’re willing to compromise.
Because the best career move isn’t necessarily the one with the biggest title, highest salary, or most recognizable company name.
It’s the one that gives you more of what matters most to you—and positions you for where you want to go next.