How I messed up: Stopping the job search

Part 4 of the "How I messed up" series where I walk you through a mistake I made in detail ??

In the “How I messed up” series, my first mistake was not reading the job description carefully enough (and misinterpreting it). My second mistake was not tailoring my resume to the job description. My third mistake was not researching the ballpark salary (for a virtual desktop imaging specialist position in Canada), so I bombed the interview. However, despite making all these mistakes, I still got the job. Miraculous! Happy ending, right?

Well…

I started in my new role and then noticed the mismatch between my expectations and reality. The correct action for me was to keep looking for a role that suited my skills and interests better. (The best time to look for a job is when you already have one. When you aren’t desperate, you can afford to take time to deliberate.) But I didn’t. Why?

Because I was so grateful I had a job. And I didn’t feel like any other organization would accept me. That was how worthless I felt at the time.

I kept working.

I felt the misfit.

I kept working.

I didn’t feel good.

I kept working.

I beat myself up for feeling thankless: my employer saved me; how dare I feel unsatisfied?

I kept working.

Three years later, after a structural reorganization, I received three months’ notice that my contract would not be renewed. Which led to me scrambling to find a new job, and you guessed it — making more career mistakes! ??

Thank you for reading the 8th issue of “Career Mistakes to Avoid” and part 4 of the “How I messed up” series! Have you ever stopped the job search after landing a position that wasn’t the right fit for you? Feel free to let me know in the comments.

Also available on my Substack!