The wrong job? Are you kidding? I just want ANY job!
Hold on, there. It’s time for a reality check. Yes, it may have been awhile since you got a paycheck, and yes, you may be tired of eating ramen noodles three times a day, but taking a job is a commitment—long term if you’re lucky enough to find a stable company in a growing industry. Unemployment has a way of scaring some people into thinking they will NEVER get a job or have any source of income, so they HAVE to take something. While there are circumstances where taking an otherwise undesirable job becomes a necessity, panicking too soon can land you in a heap of unhappiness and regret, dreading your choice and even landing you back in the ranks of the unemployed.
There are warning signs along the path to a poor job choice. Here are five to watch for:
- The job is above your head. If you are the kind of persuasive person who can sell refrigerators to the Eskimos, you may be able to “talk your way” into a really nice position, even though you don’t have the depth of experience or skills to succeed. Dazzled by the pay and an overdue car payment, you might be tempted to take a job you know you’re not qualified for. It may not be long before the truth comes out, and you’re handed a cardboard box and escorted out the door.
- The job is too basic. Many baby boomers find management jobs at their former level have gone to younger candidates or have disappeared altogether. The temptation is to take an entry-level position in your area, even though you were a senior manager responsible for four divisions. This could work as long as your ego is willing to take a step down as well. Many former executives have a hard time giving up the perks and prestige they once enjoyed and end up making a quick exit.
- Same old, same old. Remember the reasons why you left your last job or hated going to work? You looked at a job change as a way to escape the monotony or boredom of your last job, so why settle for the same old thing again. Job skill sets are often transferrable. Research jobs or companies where you can use your talents in a new direction.
- You spouse (mother, best friend) said you should. This is not the time to make sure you make someone else happy. Sometimes we make job choices for the wrong reasons, and making someone else’s dream come true is high on the list. You’re going to have to show up every day, not them, so make sure it’s right for you.
- The hard sell. Beware of a hiring manager who puts the pressure on you to make a decision immediately. There may be something about the job, company or work environment that she’s not telling you. Like, no one has lasted six months with the tyrannical boss, or your work area is in the leaky basement next to the mousetraps. Take your time and give it 24 hours away from the pressure to make decision.
What other red flags have you found in your job search? I’d love to have you share them with other readers in the comments section.
Mary Nestor-Harper, SPHR, is a consultant, blogger, motivational speaker and freelance writer for communicationsjobs.net. Based in Savannah, GA, her work has appeared in Training magazine, Training & Development magazine, Supervision, BiS Magazine and The Savannah Morning News. When she’s not writing, she enjoys singing Alto II with the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus and helping clients reinvent their careers for today’s job market. You can read more of her blogs at communicationsjobsblog.com and view additional job postings on Nexxt.
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