Now that you have dared to dream and STOPPED before starting, it’s time to find your compass, in other words, a new direction. Figuring out which way is up can definitely be helpful in your decision-making process. Wondering if that management job at Pfizer you were offered is a lateral move or a leap forward is a common dilemma and the answer depends on many factors.

Take a few minutes to answer the following questions, a mini career choice quiz. The answers may help you determine what you are looking for in your dream job.

You prefer working:
A) Standard business hours with weekends off
B) A more flexible schedule with some weekends or nights

You prefer working:
A) In a large prestigious company with plenty of room to advance
B) Smaller companies with more hands on opportunities

You prefer working:
A) In large teams or as part of teams that do national or prominent work
B) In smaller teams or alone

You prefer working:
A) For a determined salary with possible increases based on performance
B) For a bit less money in exchange for more freedom, flexibility or possible payoff at a later date

You prefer working:
A) Around similar people who understand and enjoy the same things as yourself
B) Around all sorts of people who may not always be like you

You prefer working:
A) Working in a job where you stay close to home
B) Working in a job where you travel as much as 20% of the time or more

You prefer working:
A) In a job where mainly use the skills you have
B) In a job where you may have to be re-trained

You prefer working:
A) In classic business attire or in a professional manner
B) In shorts and flip-flops if at all possible

You prefer working:
A) In a highly driven environment where people work until a job is finished
B) In a place where there is an understanding that family needs come first

You prefer working:
A) On long term projects that may take a year or more
B) On shorter-term projects where you see results quickly

You prefer working:
A) For a company that is highly successful
B) For a company that is successful and socially conscious

Now don’t worry, there is no score to this test. It just gets you thinking about what is important to you. This test shouldn’t decide the fate of your career, but it should tell you something about your direction.

Once you have all of these answers there’s one more important question you need to ask yourself: Would you like to work for someone else and be able to focus on your job description or would you prefer to work for yourself, wearing more hats but also being in total control of your own career destiny? Sound like an easy question? Think again. These days there are fewer opportunities to stay with the same company and move up in the hierarchy. That cushy life-long job that used to exist is about as common as a half-price sale at Tiffany’s. On the other hand nothing can prepare you for owning your own business. Think you work a lot now? So you see, like any journey, setting your compass in advance is a critical first step.

Jason Veduccio is a hard-working entrepreneur following his dreams, and he wants you to dream, too. Drawing on his experiences working with companies on marketing, technology, hiring, and workplace issues, his regular column will demystify the job search process and identify strategies for moving up the corporate ladder. Founder of In1Concepts, Jason also knows the ins and outs of launching a new business. He welcomes your questions and can be reached at jason@in1concepts.com.