OK, so you’ve realized that it’s time for a career transition. Off you go into the job market – networking, interviewing, selling yourself and negotiating like mad. That’s great!
But whoa there, tiger! Let’s take a step back for a moment. How much time are you spending interviewing prospective employers? Are you following your due diligence to ensure you’re making the right move – finding the best job fit? I can’t count the number of times I’ve come across people who’ve gotten hooked into accepting a new job for all the wrong reasons and without having done all their homework.
So, with this in mind, here are the Top 4 Questions You Should Ask Yourself To Ensure Your Next Job Is The Best Fit:
1. Who's the Boss?
If you're knee deep in the interviewing process, you will likely be meeting your future supervisor at some point. Pay close attention to how well you get along with this person – she will hold the key to your success and happiness in that position. Ask her what her leadership style is like and what kind of employee she prefers to manage. If you’re lucky enough to have the opportunity to interview with other members of her reporting team (as part of a panel interview, for instance), ask them too! I once knew an individual who had asked this question during an interview, and got a disturbingly honest answer from the supervisor: “I don’t like to manage my employees; I don’t like them coming to me with any questions”. If this person had been searching for a mentoring type of relationship with her prospective supervisor, she would have been sorely disappointed and jaded as her employee. Thank goodness she had the good sense to ask this key questions beforehand to avoid such a pitfall!
2. Who Are Your Future Coworkers?
Some people hate their jobs but love their colleagues so much that it overrides any unhappiness they have about their daily duties. On the flip side, just as these folks can make your work life great, they can also make it miserable. Ask to meet your potential teammates before accepting any job offer. One of my own best job interviews involved going out for coffee with my potential colleagues. It was a wonderful way for me to get a first-hand sense of the group dynamics and whether I would fit in. There we were, sitting at a Starbucks, chatting it up easily. It also was a wonderful opportunity for me to investigate the leadership style! While these folks were great at trying to sell the job to me, I nevertheless tuned into the semi-discreet looks they shot each other prior to answering my all important “so… tell me what Bob is like as a manager…”. I still accepted the job, but at least I went in there with my eyes wide open. Listen to your gut and make your decision accordingly.
3. Yes, Yes – They Want You… But Do You Want Them?
Sure, it’s a great ego boost to be offered a job – after all, it’s like entering a competition in which you win first prize! But any reader of Eckhart Tolle would tell you not to let yourself be guided by your ego. Put it aside. Instead, remind yourself what it is that YOU are looking for in a new job… If you’ve worked with me as your Career Coach, you would have already completed lots of self-assessments that would have clarified your vision of your ideal career opportunity. Take those sheets out, and compare them with the job you’ve just been offered. How closely do they match? The closer the match, the better the job fit. Look before you leap!
4. Is This Job Just Right - or Right For Now?
OK, reality check time. Money talks. That’s a fact. Your personal financial situation may dictate that you have to accept something less than your ideal right now. If you must agree to work at a less-than-ideal position and hope to stay just for the short-term, then start planning your exit strategy now. Own it. Otherwise, you might just find yourself in the same, less than suitable job years from now. And that would be pretty tragic for you, given all the hard work you’re doing today to get on the right path.
In Bliss,
Coach Sandy
Sandy Kiaizadeh
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