Wasting Time

By Michael C. Dennis

A few months ago, I spoke with a job seeker.? Part of that discussion related to the kind of jobs she was actually interested in accepting if the job was offered to her. Our conversation went something like this:

Her:? I have submitted more than 100 applications in the last three months for work as an Accounts Payable Manager?

Me:? Where?

Her:? Online.

Me:? Sorry, where are these jobs geographically?

Her: All over the United States

Me:? Your home is in New York.? If you applied to a job in San Francisco and they offered you the job, are you ready to move to California in let's say 3 to 4 weeks?

Her: Why 3 or 4 weeks?

Me: Because the employer isn't going to want to wait months once they've found the right candidate and hired them.

Her:? The honest answer to whether I would move anywhere for a new job is this: Maybe.? If the salary and benefits package were right.? And if they paid my moving expenses.

Me:? Did you verify that the salary and benefits were “right” before you applied for all of these positions that would require you to move?

Her:? No. Not all the time. I looked at the job requirements. As you know, a lot of job posts don't talk about salary.

Me:? Do you think that it would be a good idea going forward to try to figure out whether or not you could accept the position if it was offered to you.?

Her: Why?

Me: So you're not spending time or wasting time and energy applying for jobs you wouldn't take if you were offered the position.

I have had conversations before with job seekers who, after honestly considering the question, have come to the conclusion that they almost certainly wouldn't be prepared to move for any new position.

And there's nothing wrong with that conclusion. But if you're looking for a new job, this is something you need to think about sooner rather than later.