It’s not news that millennials are gaining a reputation from job-hopping.  A 2016 Jobvite survey found that while only 18 percent of the total workforce changes jobs every one-to-three years, 42 percent of millennials do.

I’ve been at my company for nearly 3-years and am almost considered a veteran of the salesforce.

Why do we (millennials) do this?  There could be a number of factors: instant gratification, being money-conscious or the tendency to get attracted to the next “shiny object” ahead of us, among others.

When you should leave a job and where to go are a few of the biggest decisions you’ll make but I think there are principles that can help determine if you’re in the right vehicle.

I talked about this, and other topics, with Max Altschuler.  Max is a serial entrepreneur and is the author of the upcoming book, Career Hacking for Millennials.

Inspired by our conversation, here are a few factors to look at when considering the best vehicle for your career.

1). Learning

Wait, what about the money?  Don’t worry we’ll get to that.

First and foremost, you need to know who you’re working for and with.  Do you share the same values? More importantly, can you learn something from them?  As Mark Cuban says, the first few years in your career is about “being paid to learn.”

This means learning the important skills that will affect your long-term career trajectory – whether it be in sales, social media, computer programming or otherwise.  It’s about learning and mastering those skills.

2). Money

Okay, let’s not shy away from money.  It’s important. I’m driven by it and you most likely are too.  

But the value is in long-term money. I see so many of my peers jump from job to job for small, incremental salary increases.  While tempting, make sure the other aspects of the opportunity put you in the best position to win long term.

How much do people make if they’re there for 3 years? 5? 10?

Do they pay based on performance or seniority?  If you’re a millennial, you want to see other millennials at the company crushing it so you have someone to model.

3). Growth

You want to be part of growth. With growth comes the opportunity to learn, advance and be promoted.

If the company has no signs of growth, your career may not either.

Depending on the size of the company, this could mean a lot of things – recent funding, IPO, stock rise, etc. Do your homework on the industry.

“If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, you don’t ask what seat. You just get on.” – Eric Schmidt, Former Google CEO

4). Values

You need to make sure the company and the team you’re on is aligned with your core values.

Do you have a passion for women in the workplace?  Do you value creativity above all else? Is working remote one of your top priorities?

Whatever it is, makes sure the values line up and be transparent about what matters to you.

Wrap-Up

Let’s be clear: I’m not saying you need to stay at your job for 40 years.  

I’m saying that jumping to a company just because they have a ping-pong table and La Croix seltzer water is probably not in your best interest.  

The key is to find the right vehicle for you, whatever that means.  Think big picture, find the right opportunity and work your ass off to put yourself in the best position to win.

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