It's all about the fit

Imagine going to buy an expensive suit or dress. Would you walk into the store, pick up the first few items you see, and then go ask for permission to buy them?

Not likely!

If you're like me, you'd go in and out of 10 stores trying to find exactly what you want and - after much huffing and puffing and frustration - you'd finally find the suit or dress that fits perfectly.

To me, this is how the job search should be viewed. Unless you are in dire straits and need a job - any job - desperately, you should view the job search process as a shopping expedition. Your goal is to find the position that suits you perfectly.

When an interview doesn't go well, or you don't get a call about your resume, it's the same as trying on a dress that doesn't fit right. It looked great on the peg and you REALLY wanted it, but it just wasn't a good fit for you.

"But I really wanted that job!" you say.

Well, we've all seen what happens when people buy that outfit anyway. They can't button the jacket, or the dress hangs in bulky folds because it's too big. That's what it feels like to take a job that's the wrong fit. Sometimes, you don't know that it was the wrong fit - sometimes you think you'd be great in the role. But in my experience, usually (not always, but usually) the recruiter or manager has a good reason for not choosing you. It's not a reason you could ever guess, because you don't know the company or the job the way he or she does. But it's usually a valid one.

If you think of the job search as a shopping expedition, you'll shake that off the way you shake off the fact that the dress doesn't fit. You'll move on to the next store knowing that eventually you're going to find the right thing.

But what about when the suit fits, but still doesn't look right?

Those are the times when the hiring manager wants you. He makes an offer - maybe even a good one - but something doesn't feel right and you have doubts about taking that job.

Whether we're talking about a dress or a job - listen to your gut! Don't buy! There's a reason you have those doubts and it's not like this is the last dress/job in the world. There are lots of other options.

So as you look for your next position, don't think of your search as a series of tests (the equivalent of asking  'please can I have this job?') where the interviewer either says 'yes' or 'no.' Think of it as a shopping expedition and don't settle for anything less than the perfect fit.

Cross-posted on my blog

Comments

[Rick]

That's a good way to compare the job search. It's very likely that you'll know a good job fit by the end of the first interview, provided that the employer has reviewed your resume and determined you're qualified enough to be called in. But arguably, that's the key moment: You may be well qualified, and your resume may reflect that, but the hiring manager - for some reason only he or she would know - doesn't want to call you in. But if the hiring manager were someone else, you may just get a call.

There's nothing scientific about the job hunt. You need your resume to do the initial talking for you, and hope it hits home. If it does and you wind up with an interview, that's when you need to have your eyes and ears open to determine if it will be a good fit for you.