Define what better actually means
Start before you browse roles. Write down what you want to change about your current work and what you want to keep. A famous company can still be a poor fit if its meeting load, on-call expectations or product direction conflict with your needs.
Choose three non-negotiables and three preferences. A non-negotiable might be a predictable schedule or genuinely remote work. A preference might be a particular framework. Keep those separate so that an exciting technology stack does not distract you from an unsuitable working arrangement.
Use a scorecard, not a gut feeling alone
Score each area from one to five, but record the evidence next to the number. Unknown is not the same as good. Mark unanswered questions as unknown and follow up rather than filling the gaps with assumptions.
- Work: what will you own, and who benefits from it?
- Engineering: how are changes tested, reviewed and released?
- Management: how will feedback, priorities and disagreements work?
- Growth: who will help you improve, and how is progression assessed?
- Practical fit: pay, location, hours, benefits and employment terms.
Ask for recent examples
A company saying it values quality is less useful than hearing how it handled a recent production incident. Ask what changed afterwards. A thoughtful answer can reveal ownership, learning and how blame is handled.
Speak to a future teammate if possible. Ask what surprised them after joining and what they would improve. Compare that answer with the manager’s description; differences are prompts for further questions, not automatic proof of a problem.
Look beyond perks
Office lunches and team events can be pleasant, but they do not replace clear priorities, decent tools or respectful management. Look for the conditions that let you do sustainable work.
For South African roles, clarify the actual office location, travel expectations and any support for connectivity or power interruptions. Do not assume a remote label means you can work from anywhere. Get important arrangements confirmed in writing.
Decide using evidence and trade-offs
Compare your shortlist against the same criteria. If one employer scores well on learning but poorly on stability, ask whether that trade-off suits your current life. There is no universal best employer.
Keep a short decision note: what you know, what remains uncertain, and why the role fits your next step. Revisit it before accepting, especially if a deadline makes the offer feel more urgent than it is.
Your next steps
- Write three non-negotiables.
- Ask a teammate and a manager for concrete examples.
- Record evidence and unanswered questions.
- Confirm hours, location and compensation in writing.
References and further reading
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