Finding the right job opportunity is a lot like dating. And, like finding love, the choice you make will have a huge impact on your daily life and your overall happiness. In fact, dealing with a bad romantic breakup is easier than dealing with a bad breakup with your employer.
Whether you are dating or job hunting, the process is almost the same. First, you know what you are looking for, then you find out who is searching for someone like you. After that, you get in touch, sit down with someone and try to find out if you would be a good fit for them and see if you can imagine them playing a large role in your life. When it is a good fit on both sides, it can be a dream come true. But, more often than not, there are some things about them that you aren't happy about and you aren't sure if you have all of the tools to make the relationship a success. Then you are faced with the dreaded decision – should you settle?
There are some people who say that you should never, ever settle for a job. And, still others who think that any job is better than no job. That with a lot determination and hard work, you can take a not quite right opportunity and turn it into a great situation. Personally, I don't think it works in dating and I think it can be just as bad in your professional life.
But, for now, lets look at the argument for settling:
- Economic necessity – We all have to pay the bills, and there is no realistic way around that. Being unemployed is financially devastating. Without the financial resources to keep a roof over your head and food in your tummy, holding out for the perfect opportunity seems silly. Even when you have misgivings about a job offer, you have to decide how long you can afford to wait. In dating, this is like looking for love when you are lonely and desperate. It is hard to be objective when you are starving.
- Feeling valued – When you haven't been having much luck looking for a job and have been rejected for jobs you know you are qualified for, it can seriously damage your self esteem and self worth. When you settle for a job that you are overqualified for, you will feel confident about your chances for success in the position and even believe that your boss will consider themselves lucky to have someone as experienced as you. To keep with the dating analogy, it is like dating someone that you don't feel is as attractive as you or who you think likes you more than you like them. The thought is that they would be a better partner because they may not think that they can do better.
- How will it look on my resume? - Long periods of unemployment can look bad on your resume. But, then again, many employers look at your last job as a reference for both your abilities and your salary history. Sometimes, it may be easier to explain working at a less than perfect job than the long unemployment period. It is the choice between having several failed relationships versus being single for a long time. Which one would be less off putting to a new date?
- Professional momentum – Getting back into the workforce is the important thing, and it makes sense that once you have a job, you will probably find other opportunities that are better suited for you. Taking the less than perfect job will create forward energy that may open more doors than waiting for the right fit will. For dating, the idea is that if you get out there and go on a few dates, find a girlfriend, even if she isn't Ms. Perfect, at least you will get to meet other people and it will make it easier to find someone better.
- You might have been over-employed before – It can be a huge hit to your ego to realize that maybe you aren't as qualified for the position you are looking for as you think you are. Maybe you were overemployed at your last job and now you are aiming too high. Consider how much your ego is costing you. Is the job really “beneath” you? This is when you start to think that maybe you need to lower your standards a little, because maybe you aren't “that guy” anymore.
So, there are reason why people decide to settle, and all of them are valid. But, on the other hand, there are many reasons why you should never settle for a job that isn't right for you. Next time, I will give you the reason why you should wait for the right fit.
Have you taken a job that you are overqualified for? How do you feel about settling for a job? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Are you looking for a job in the Manhattan area? Be sure to visit ManhattanJobs.
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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