3 Signs a Job is a (REALLY) Bad Fit for You

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How to determine if a job is a good fit for you is harder than most people realize. It requires some serious strategic self-assessment. On the flip side, knowing when a job is all wrong for you is actually much easier. It starts with an uneasy feeling in your gut, followed by some panic thoughts in your brain. You can literally hear your inner voice saying,

"This is terrible. I'll hate this."

But, what about those times when the voice isn't so clear?

For example, when you don't love or hate the job because you think you really can't be sure what it will be like until you try it. Those are the situations I find myself coaching people on at Work It Daily quite a bit. After 15+ years as a career growth specialist, I can tell you there are three simple signs a job is a bad fit for you.

1. You feel the work is beneath you.

If you take a job where you feel the type of work you'll be doing doesn't leverage your current skills and experience level, you could come to resent the job. Unless you are proactively looking for a less-stressful job where you aren't learning anything new, then taking a job where you are personally embarrassed by the lower skill level required will take its toll. Humbling as that experience is, most people aren't able to stay positive and motivated when in that position long-term. The result is a disengaged, unhappy worker who can end up getting fired for their lack of enthusiasm for the role. The last thing you want to do is get fired from a job you felt overqualified for. Try explaining that to potential future employers!?

2. You don't feel any type of personal connection to what the company does.

Think of the phrase, "when the going gets rough, only true fans hang tough." No company or job is perfect. There will be challenging times. If you aren't feeling personally aligned in some way to the company's mission, beliefs, or vision, it will be hard to stick it out. It's painfully difficult to go to battle and endure challenges for a company you don't feel deeply connected to in some way. If the job is just a job, you will want out at the first sign of rough times.

3. You can't justify taking the job as a way to grow your career in the direction you want it to go.

Sometimes, we need a job to pay the bills, get us out of a bad situation, etc. Our circumstances dictate that we get a job - any job - to help bridge the gap. I respect that. I know it happens. But, if you aren't in a dire situation, then you need to carefully consider whether the job supports some type of strategic career growth. For example:

• Will you learn a new, valuable skill?
• Will it expand your network connections?
• Will it help you build credibility in an industry?

You must, MUST identify how the job will serve to grow your career in some way. It doesn't matter how old you are. Today, if your career isn't growing, it's dying. It's up to you to make sure your career is moving forward in some way. Or, you will find the rate of change in business, technology, and talent will surpass you and leave you struggling to stay employable. I realize that sounds harsh, but it's the truth. Staying relevant and competitive in the workplace is vital if you want to keep working throughout your lifetime.

P.S. - The secret to finding a job you love is knowing how to assess yourself in the right way. My coworker and fellow career growth specialist at Work It Daily, Ariella just did a great video tutorial on the basics to self-assessing whether you are a fit for a job. I hope you check it out below!