Choosing the right job isn’t easy. Lots of doubt and second guessing tends to creep in, making the decision even harder. “What if I don’t like the new position? What if I don’t like the people? What if I can’t do the job or they don’t like me?”
Round and round, your mind spins so making a choice to take the right job becomes clouded by all of the self-sabotaging! Relax and take a breath. Remember, you started to look for a reason. You didn’t take all this time to hunt for a job and interview for nothing; you were committed to start something new so let’s get going on a decision!
First things first…write down all of the reasons you are looking for a job. This could be a change in location or wanting to branch out. These are YOUR reasons so you should know why you began the search in the first place. Then, list what you hope you will find in the next position (i.e. team accountability, great pay, vacation time, etc.). Your recruiter is a great resource for this since he/she will have the requirements you’ve discussed. Once you completed the lists, begin to compare each potential job against them. Try using a points system where each item on your job “wish list” has a value. This may sound silly but if you tend to be a person that has a tough time making a decision, having a clear cut process may be just the answer.
When rating each job, make sure to list basics such as location, pay, and hours. Your checklist could look something like this:
____ Location (+1) ____ Flexible Hours (+1)
____ Team Environment (+2) ____ Desired Pay (+2)
____ Benefits (+3) ____ Vacation Time (+1)
It’ll be up to you as to how much each factor will be valued since you know what’s truly important to you. After grading each job, tally the numbers and see which position scored the most. This ideally will be the job that most closely meets the requirements you set forth. However, before you pull the trigger, you still need to do a gut check.
No matter who you are there’s always one job that you lean towards… that secretly you are hoping to get because it’s the company or the setting you’ve always wanted. If it’s the same job as the one that had the most points, bonus, you’re done! If not, then think of what factors prevent you from coming on board, although you are drawn to it. If it’s pay, can you make budget cuts or is it just too much of a difference? If its location, is the commute doable or does it require a complete relocation? No matter what the reason is, evaluate whether or not you can feasibly make it work (and this means without putting yourself in financial or emotional jeopardy). If you’ve looked at everything and you still can’t find a way to make it work, then maybe you have to let that position go and move on to your 2nd choice. If you can’t seem to turn it down, then your decision has already been made, so there is no need to consider other options.
When choosing a job, remember to look at each position for the long term value that you will gain from it. Sit down and go over every detail, talk with your family, friends and your recruiter to get some different perspectives. Each job should be considered an investment into you and your career. Once you’ve considered every angle, the decision you make will bring relief and also excitement. You’ll know when the right one is made the instant you say, “I accept the offer.” Although the job hunt can be nerve racking, this should be an exciting time for you. Using a game plan helps to make the tough decisions a little easier if not, a little more enjoyable.
Sun Hui (Sunny) Snook graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Truman State University and received a Master’s in Human Services from Bellevue University. She has been in the healthcare staffing field for 11 years, first working with nurses before moving to a nationwide work strategies consultant where her key responsibilities were to coach staffers and hospital managers on effective staffing. In 2009, Sunny started with Aureus Medical as an Account Manager in the Rehab Therapy division, working with both clients and prospective employees. In 2011, she moved to Student Outreach Coordinator. Sunny was named the 2011 Employee of the Year for C&A Industries, the parent company of Aureus Medical Group. Prior to working in healthcare staffing, she served as an addictions therapist and residential treatment coordinator for five years.
Sunny Snook / 800.456.5857 ext 6578 / ssnook@aureusmedical.com / Facebook / LinkedIn / Twitter
Choosing or hunting for a job can be exciting and at the same time can create a mental wreck if we dont get the right kind of job. I think most of us see only 2 points in a job i.e the pay package and growth factor, most of us neglect hrs, location and sometimes even benefits.