This Isn't What I Signed Up For: Seeking out red flags to find alignment in your job search

I remember when I first went apartment hunting (many many moons ago). I was so excited to be on my own that I overlooked a variety of important details. The leasing agent focused on all of the "right things" to sell me the apartment instead of asking me the right questions to figure out what I was really looking for.

I saw what the leasing agent wanted me to see. Ultimately, I ended up renting an apartment with virtually no storage. It looked pretty but, come move-in day, I had way too much stuff for the space...by then, it was too late. The lease was signed and I was forced to make adjustments. The agent did her job. I didn't do mine. Back then, simply put, I was unprepared.

You might be wondering what storage space has to do with your job search.

First, let's discuss one important fact. The national unemployment rate is at an all-time low, dipping to 3.6% as of April 2019.

So, what exactly does that mean?

The competitiveness of the current job market is putting pressure on both job seekers and employers, resulting in less thorough hiring cycles. More new hires are finding themselves in a situation where they feel like they were mislead; leaving many people saying... "This isn't what I signed up for".

"Unfortunately, it's more common than you'd think that people get into a role that they feel is not quite what had been laid out during the interview process. Things like the job responsibilities weren't exactly what had been discussed or company culture was different than what it seemed, or work-life balance and the hours expected were misaligned," says Glassdoor career expert Alison Sullivan.

As a job seeker, there are a number of red flags you can proactively look out for that might help manage your expectations and, ultimately, help you navigate your job search with ease. Seeking out red flags during the job search process will also help you avoid accepting a position that isn't an ideal fit for you.

1. When you're looking at a job description, read between the lines. Are there too many details? Not enough details? Confirm job requirements with the hiring authority. Make sure THEY know what they are looking for. Ask what the position looks like day-to-day. If they can't answer that, proceed with caution.
2. Research the company and the job. They are two very different things. It can be easy to miss important details when you're "star struck", especially if you're interviewing with a well-known company. They are showing you their best side on purpose. Ask yourself: What appeals to me about the company? What appeals to me about the job opportunity? It's essential to (initially) separate the two.
3. Identify your primary motivators and then be honest with yourself and your potential new employer about them. When you are clear about what you want, you will be able to relay your wants/needs with clarity and bypass any misunderstandings. Go forth and be confident!
4. Don't fake it till you make it. If you aren't honest with yourself and your potential new employer, you'll ultimately sacrifice your own happiness. If you don't mean it, don't say it. Be transparent and alignment will take care of itself.
5. Allow yourself to be excited, but don't let your excitement cloud your judgement. Continue asking the hard questions that will uncover what you need to know. Don't tip-toe. If the potential employer is turned off by your (professional) questions, that may be another red flag.

"Red flags tend to disappear pretty easily when we are unprepared, leaving us vulnerable to seeing what's not actually there."

It's nearly impossible to know every single thing about a new employer. And, of course, no job can be a "perfect" fit for either the candidate or the employer.

You CAN, however, put yourself in the best possible position by preparing, remaining objective & asking the hard questions. There will be red flags in almost every job search & hiring process. The goal is to find the opportunity with the least possible number of “red flags.”

Once you make the leap, don't forget to give yourself time to adjust. Every company has their own unique culture, processes and policies.

If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. So, go ahead, blow it up sooner rather than later! You'll thank yourself!

From Grit to Greatness,

#TabTheRecruiter