Should I Take The Job?

TL/DR - Here are some tactics to figure out if you should take a job or not.

Do you ever read a book or article written in first person and think to yourself, "hmm I wonder what this author's voice sounds like?" Or is that just me? Well every time I read any piece of material written in the first person I wonder what it would be like to sit across from this person and engage in conversation. I imagine how their voice sounds, and if their jokes actually land, and if they make good eye contact. Why am I writing all this mumbo jumbo that has zero to do with my title you ask? Well, I want my voice to come through. I want you, as the reader, to feel like you get me. "I get Darci, I see her points, I understand her humor, I get why she uses improper punctuation, I can feel her passion come through this page." So here we go, here is something I have been working through - maybe you can relate?

As many of you may already know, I am a Career Coach. A fancy way of saying a recruiter that actually helps you. I work with many student athletes that are looking to start their careers. Lately I have been running into this statement from candidates, "I really like the job, I love the people, I had a great time interviewing, I see the growth potential- buuuuut I want to keep looking." If I am being honest, that sentence makes me want to rip my hair out and not just because in this moment I am thinking.. "This deal might not close, I am going to have to fast for the next 3 days." I want to rip my hair out because I truly don't understand the logic. Now don't get me wrong, I have weighed out the fact that many of my candidates do not want to hurt my feelings. I am sure sometimes there is probably a plain and simple reason why he/she does not want the job - didn't like the manager, not passionate about the product, more money, the company logo is not cute enough (ok that one's a joke). I get that, but I think for the most part they are looking for greener grass.

I have come to the conclusion that the grass is greener syndrome hits us all, some more than others. When something great is presented to us the human brain thinks, "Well if I can get this, there must be other opportunities out there right?" Well yea of course, but do we wait around for the next best thing to always come along - no we have to make decisions in life. I think it is important to note that I am not saying grab the first job that comes your way. What I am saying is say yes to the job if it checks all the boxes. Will this opportunity open doors for me in the future? Will it provide me with job security, and long term growth potential? Will I be working with like minded people? Is it a reasonable commute? Is the pay there? Just to name a few. Everyone has different boxes, but here is what I tell my candidates - you have to do the hard stuff now so you can do the fun stuff later. It might not sound like the most glamorous job, but if it checks all the boxes that is probably for a reason. Grind now, so you can get to your goals! It is not supposed to be easy, but trust me when you are successful and surrounded by people that challenge you it is so worth it!

I have experienced the grass is greener syndrome many times. Here are some of my tricks to get through it: Make a pros and cons list, bounce ideas off your family (but take that with a grain of salt), project out the next five years and see where you want to take your future. These simple tasks will help you to understand where your head is at and why. On the contrary here are some tricks I do not like and why (disclaimer - feel free to disagree): "Aha" moment, gut feeling, need something to compare it to. I am sorry but when is the last time you had a real "Aha" moment? If you are waiting for your gut to tell you to take a job, or to wake up to a "sign" that this is the right one - keep on waiting.

Lastly, I thought that the "something to compare it to" trick needed its own paragraph. Let's look at finding a new job like dating. Are you going to compare your new partner to your previous? Ok you might, but should you? Each opportunity, or relationship in this case, should stand alone and be compared only to the boxes you have set up. When is the last time you decided to go steady (really wanted a reason to use that term) with someone and then said, "Ya know what, I am going to wait a few week to see if someone better comes along first - then I will commit" If you answered recently to this question, you have commitment issues and that's a whole different article. My point is if an opportunity makes sense, take it - don't let things pass you by because you are waiting for the PERFECT opportunity. Life is about taking risks, and jumping two feet into a new job is always going to be scary. A new career is one of the biggest decisions out there, and I do not take that lightly. However, to be successful you have to commit 100% and don't look back. NOW QUIT YOUR JOB and email me for a new one :) juuuust kidding...but seriously. Happy Monday!!