Not actively looking for another CIO opportunity? What happens when one or more opportunities appear at your door? Should you stay at your current employer or move on? I have spoken to several CIO candidates recently who are feeling stressed out about being sought after as a candidate for multiple positions at once. They were not actively looking, but were approached by recruiters, friends or vendors who were seeking top HCIT talent for their organizations.
All of a sudden, their normal everyday work and life have been turned upside down, and they are out of their comfort zone. If you ever find yourself being part of multiple senior IT leadership searches at one time, or being sought after as a candidate, it may seem like a dream come true. You are a star! But it poses intense pressure to make the right decision. Here are some strategies to help if you find yourself is such a situation.
Evaluate your options
Take the emotion out of your evaluation and line up the key points of each job offer in a logical way. Try to get as much in writing as you can. If you have multiple verbal or written offers, set up a grid with the key facts.
- Title
- Reporting relationship
- Size of staff
- Travel/no travel
- Compensation: base salary, bonus details, signing bonus
- No relocation needed or relocation: moving costs, temporary housing, multiple real estate visits, etc.
- Benefits, vacation, executive perks, home office expenses, mobile devices
- Size, reputation and future growth of organization
- Association memberships
- Other items such as: paid tuition, severance package, stock options/equity
Look for outside advice
Consult with family, friends and professionals who know you and your situation. This is a good opportunity to find out if the family is open to relocation or not. But consider talking to a human resource consultant, a financial planning advisor and other experts to help you make a decision.
Make your decision
Having multiple job offers at once is rare, but if it happens to you, it is a great learning experience. You will not please everyone with your decision, and the ones you turn down will be disappointed and maybe even angry. The decision impacts you, your family and future career. After evaluating all the pros and cons, don’t keep the hiring managers and recruiters waiting too long. Let them know your decision so everyone can move on. Keep your communication positive, professional and open amongst the different companies you are working with — remember, healthcare IT is a close-knit industry.
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