The job market is filled with a plethora of possibilities and never-ending opportunities. These range from jobs perfect for you to the ones you are better off not taking.
It may surprise you just how sought after you are upon graduating. This can put you in a position of deciding whether to accept or reject a job.
Knowing when a job is right for you is easy; the tricky part is knowing when it isn’t. Here are a few aspects to consider.The company is a sinking ship.
If the place is falling apart, it may not be the best idea to stick around to see it crash and burn. For example, I once interviewed for a position and the boss informed me that he and several other employees were jumping ship. It set off the warning alarm in my mind. Do your research to see how the company has been doing. If you think you can help improve the company (and you want to), take the job. If it seems like a lost cause, don’t put yourself in a bad situation.
The pay is too low.
Yes, I know, as 20-somethings we almost expect having to scrape by to make it. We’ve accepted that we are probably going to live paycheck to paycheck in our tiny apartments eating microwaved meals on our thrift store furniture. But if the pay is so low that you will not be able to afford bills and basic necessities, keep looking. There is no reason to be living in poverty when you have a job. You and your skills are worth a salary you can live comfortably on.
It doesn’t excite you.
The job you’re after should send adrenaline pumping through your veins and a sense of being able to change the world.
You should be excited about your job and all the possibilities it offers you. You are going to make the most impact and live up to your full potential in a field and job that piques your interests. If the thought of having to work at the job makes you feel the least bit miserable, it probably isn’t going to benefit you. It doesn’t have to be your dream job, but it should help pave the way.It isn’t challenging enough.
If the job doesn’t intimidate you, it isn’t going to make you grow. We learn and get stronger by what scares the hell out of us. It shows us what we are capable of and what we can handle. If you will be too comfortable or even bored with the job, aim for bigger, better and scarier endeavors. It will help prepare you the most for the future.
It isn’t going to make you happy.
Happiness is key in all aspects of life. You spend a great deal of your time at work and if it is going to make you miserable, keep the job search going. Your happiness is above all else. Feel out the people and the environment you will be working in. If you don’t feel like you will belong and it isn’t something you can overcome, it may not be the best fit. The location of the job is key as well.
Trust your gut and don’t feel pressured to take anything you’re not comfortable with. Only you know what is best for you and your future.
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