Is This Job A Good Fit?
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You can become skillful in the art of interviewing. You may even convince an employer that a perfect match exists during an interview even though you are truthfully only looking for a paycheck to reduce financial fear. Within the first three months of employment, relationships can unravel leaving you and the employer with feelings
of frustration. To avoid a potentially bad experience and having to look for another job, first ask yourself, “Is the job a good fit?”



If you do not know the answer, the following may help you in your decision-making process. Elements for job satisfaction may include:


1. Job title

2. Your relationship to the person you report to

3. Job responsibilities

4. Opportunity for advancement

5. Compensation

6. Feeling safe in the work environment

7. Job security

8. Flexibility to balance work/life issues

9. Communication

10. Management recognition of job performance

11. Use of preferred skills

12. Overall corporate culture

13. Autonomy

14. Meaningfulness of job

15. Variety of work

16. Contribution to company goals

17. Training opportunities

18. Relationship with co-workers



If the job is financially rewarding, but without other psychological rewards, or conversely, psychologically rewarding but short on income, will you be happy? Does the salary meet your obligations? Could further negotiations improve the offer? If courageous enough to ask a hiring manager whether the salary and responsibilities are negotiable, the response is usually, “It’s always negotiable” or, “What were you thinking?”



From an employer’s point of view, the best candidate is the individual who expresses enthusiasm about the actual tasks and responsibilities required to meet the company goals. Read the job description carefully and discuss the expectations. In general, workers who are engaged in using their preferred abilities and talent
will experience greater work satisfaction and happiness. Employers can smell a candidate who only wants a paycheck or is trying to make a square peg fit in a round hole. Avoid feeling rejected if not offered an interview or job when in your heart, you know it is not a very good fit.



Considerations for a good fit may include:



1. Will you use your preferred strengths and skills?

2. Is it intellectually or interpersonally challenging?

3. Does it provide leadership or opportunity to lead if you seek a leadership position?

4. Does it offer independence or collaboration?

5. Will you be able to influence change and develop programs or projects?



If you are more introverted, will you be able to work more autonomously without demands of consistent interactions with co-workers? If you are more extroverted, will you have sufficient interactions with others to fulfill the need for more frequent communication?



Are important elements missing and if so, what are they? Can you negotiate for these components? Is the job a “transitional” (bridge) job?



There is nothing wrong with keeping the lion off the front door and pay bills while you search for a better job-fit. Can you accept a job and still search for a better opportunity fit? Even a marginally acceptable job can thwart a host of unemployment-related problems.



Consider what short-term and long-term goals the job will meet. Do opportunities exist? How will the experience likely benefit you? Will you have any regrets if you accept the job? Are you accepting the job based on fear of not receiving another offer? Can you financially and emotionally afford to keep searching?



Company Culture Must Also Fit



Company culture is similar to the ambiance in a home. How you are treated during the interview, for example, is often a glimpse of company culture. How are employees treated?



Company culture fit includes:



1. Are there professional growth opportunities?

2. Does the company provide services and products you value?

3. What is the management style?

4. How are promotions determined?

5. Are there training programs that will advance your career?

6. What is the turnover rate and what factors contribute to this?

7. What is the mind-set of the people you will work with?

8. What are the interpersonal relationships like in terms of trust, interaction, teamwork, or autonomy?

9. Will you receive adequate support to effectively perform the job?

10. What is the dress code?

11. Will the job be compatible with your family and other personal aspects of your life?



The way you can make the best decision for yourself is getting as much information as possible, asking questions, and listening. Is it a good enough job-fit for right now?