Choose the Job, Don't Let the Job Choose You

I was talking to an acquaintance recently about her job search. This accomplished professional is leaving her job because of a moral conflict. The choice is entirely hers and her reasons are sound - her work is making her miserable and she needs to get out of the situation.

But the other day she IM'd me with news that had given her pause. A former employer (who had fired her unfairly two years earlier) was asking her back. Having seen what she's accomplished since she left, they had second thoughts and wanted to use her expertise for a major new project. She was tempted by their offer - not because of salary, or job responsibilities or location - but because of the sense of satisfaction returning would give her.

"I'll be higher up than the person who fired me," she told me. "How sweet would that be?"

I have to admit, it would be pretty sweet - for the first few days. But after the sense of triumph was gone, what then? We discussed several issues - had the company changed overall leadership? (The answer was 'no'). In hindsight, did she feel she had been treated fairly when she was terminated? (No, again.) Was this the only potential offer on the table (No, again - she had received several phone calls within hours of resigning.)

It soon became clear to us both that this position would be a risk. Nothing had changed about her former employer and there would be no guarantees that they would treat her any better this time.

Our conversation made me think about one of my favorite themes when working with job seekers. Unless you are in dire financial straits, don't feel that you have to take every offer presented to you. A job search is about choosing a place to work not about getting someone, anyone, to accept you.

 

Comments

[Rick75]

Nice lessons in this post, Louise! Remember the saying “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” When it comes to your career, what’s most important in the work world is accepting yourself rather than seeking acceptance from someone else. If you may be leaving what you think is a rat’s nest now, don’t kid yourself if you see some signs that you could be getting into is a much larger nest. The bottom line: When you want to change jobs, don’t make the jump if you can’t make a safe landing and if you don’t see a longer-term benefit to your career.

[Steps To Success]

chooseing a job is same as choose something you are intrested to do... as what you said.. you will be miserable is you don't like that job.. your friend is very lucky to have back a job that her love it in the pass.. I'm sure she will be very well in that company...

I have some tips for you maybe if you are intrested you can take & visit
www.hanfoong.com