Blog Post

How to ensure you don’t end up in a job you’ll regret

Olaitan Ajimobi • March 3, 2020
We all need to search for a new job at some point in our working life. The usual expectation is that our next job should at least be more rewarding than the previous one either financially, mentally, emotionally, socially or more aligned with our values. However, many find themselves settling for almost any job as long as their skills are relevant and they are reasonably satisfied with the pay. Here are four ideas that would help make your job search more productive.

Ideal job description
It's normal for employers to have a person specification where they clearly outline key essential and desirable qualities they want in an ideal candidate. However, it is rare to see it the other way round. I always advise my clients to make up a job description that aligns with their skills, passions, personality and ambitions. This ideal job description is what they use as a benchmark for every job opportunity they come across.  Of course it's probably unrealistic to find a job that matches the description a hundred percent but at least they end up with one that is close enough or more fulfilling than having a job that you have no interest in.

Interview transparency
Many people don't see the need to express who they really are during job interviews. Rather than having a mutual discussion to assess if there is a fit between them and the employer or job opportunity, they sell themselves often under false pretences so they can appeal to the employer. We hide our true values and interests out of a fear that we'll jeopardize our chances of getting the job. Although this ‘fake it till you make it’ approach to tick the boxes might achieve the instant gratification of landing the job by, it is could be end up being counterproductive and self-sabotaging for long-term career success and fulfillment.

Personal recommendation
It is widely said that ''word of mouth is best form of advertising'. In fact, Nandos apparently gained most of their initial exposure through word of mouth and personal recommendation. Getting referrals or approvals from friends and people you trust is also a great way to ensure that you don’t end up with an employer or job from hell. Not only will this help you get access to the hidden job market, but you are also more likely to get an unbiased perspective about the employer or job because the person cares about your well-being. Many companies also provide incentives for employees to refer a friend, so it's a no brainer.

Social proofing
Social proofing is a concept that is almost natural to the economic behaviour of humans. Before making a decision concerning something like a holiday, restaurant or a service, many of us like to listen to the judgements and reviews of others who have experienced what we are thinking of trying out. This is how companies like Trip Advisor make their money. Glassdoor is a great way to get social proof from an employment perspective; it is a website where current and former employees anonymously review companies. This could help you make a good judgement on an employer or their company culture.

Without an intentional and proactive approach to job hunting, it appears the probability of ending up in an ideal job is likely to be low.  While the traditional methods such as looking on job boards, company websites or through agencies might still be useful for the employment seeking process, the ideas mentioned are practical steps to ensure that we secure opportunities that are more aligned with our values. If you need support in this area, feel free to contact us today by clicking the button below to book a consultation. 

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