How to choose the right job for you.

There is an element of risk-taking when it comes to job hunting.  Even the thought of starting to look for a new one can make you feel unsettled, even fearful! So much so, you to stay exactly where you are; even if you don’t feel motivated or appreciated.  Job hunting is a leveller; it doesn’t matter why you are looking for a new role, be it returning to work, redundancy or a change of circumstances, most will have the same thought: “What if I make a mistake?” This week I am going to share the best way to choose the right job for you!

Our careers take up a lot of our time: even when we aren’t physically working, we are thinking about it. So, it makes sense that you want to choose the “right” job. It is human nature to find change difficult and uncomfortable; it’s a “better the devil you know than the devil you don’t” situation, and moving jobs or companies can feel MASSIVE.  The options of what can go wrong can feel endless; the people, the work, job security, promotion options, WHAT IF THEY DON’T LIKE ME ….. any of these sound familiar?

Let me tell you a little story. With all of my career moves, from leaving an international brand to work with a recruitment company, to leaving my management role to go into self-employment, I wasn’t 100% sure I was making the right decision, but I trusted myself enough to take the leap. There are no guarantees in life, so I am not going to promise you anything (you should know that already!) But I can show you the ways to feel more confident with your decisions when it comes to choosing your next job!
 
Work out why
Get clear on why you are looking for a new job. This is especially relevant for anyone that is moving jobs, but you can use the same questions if you are looking to re-enter the workplace too. The last thing you want to do is move and find the same issues within the organisations you need, or not confront the lifestyle changes that will inevitably happen.
 

• What do I not like about my current situation?
• What DO I want to keep?
• How will I recognise this in the next company/organisation I go to?
• What will I need to do to manage any change in responsibilities?

 
What are your “must haves”
When you are job searching, it is common to get into a situation where you feel grateful for a job offer. If you are a tad competitive, the idea of “winning” or coming first can overwhelm the sensible, logical side of your brain! Make sure you know what are your non-negotiables (from salary, location, culture, client base, potential) and pay attention to them during the process.
 
Remember you CAN interview them!
An interview process is two-way; you can use it to find out more about the reason the role is being recruited, how your interviewers feel about the company, what the role’s key performance indicators (KPIs) are, and question anything in the person or job specification that you aren’t sure about. You can find out everything you need to know to make a decision when the job offer arrives!
 
Find out what the staff think
Dependent on the interview process, you may have the chance to talk to other staff members; they will be on their best behaviour, but you can usually get a feel for how they feel by asking about their job story. There are also anonymous platforms such as Glassdoor where some organisations are reviewed.
You could also have a look on places like LinkedIn or the website to see how long other staff members have been there, how their career has progressed and how the company talks about itself; dependent on the contacts that you have, you could even ask to find out more via a coffee (this is only if you have people that you know or have a friend of friend situation!)
 

You have options
After all of this, if you feel that you aren’t making the “right decision” you can say NO! They may be an option to negotiate if there are practical issues that can be overcome, but if you can’t see past the reasons why it is wrong, then you politely decline their offer.
Don’t forget the probationary period is there to protect both you, an employee and the employer; you should be given a chance to develop and progress with training opportunities. It is a test for both!
 
You are allowed to make a mistake; sometimes even when everything is right, things can go wrong that are outside of your control. Yes, it can feel safer to stay how things are, but without a little bit of risk and change, things can be VERY boring. You are A LOT more in control of your career than you think, so ask yourself what your ideal career looks like and start making the steps to find it.
 
If you want to join an online community of parents looking to create a career they enjoy, head over to The Balance Collective with Clara Wilcox.

Clara Wilcox is a straight-talking, practical and experienced coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective is a social enterprise focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance. Isn’t it time you had a career to enjoy, not endure?