How do you know when it's okay to settle for something? I mean, I'm relatively happy now at work and while maybe I didn't get everything I wanted I did get something, a lot more than I thought I'd get, better than meeting in the middle. At what point is it okay to just sit back, relax and enjoy that? Especially when everyone else is in my life is telling me to keep job searching and keep striving for stuff elsewhere?
Have you ever settled? Did you regret it?
Interesting question. From a hiring perspective, I offer the story of the latest person who turned down my job offer.
ReplyDeleteI think my job was about 80% cool to this candidate, although not in the exact field, but related and using similar methods. I thought there was a really good chance this person would accept. But, the candidate kept asking for an extension on the date they had to reply, and finally, I could not wait any longer because I would lose my second-choice candidate to another job offer and be without anyone if this person declined. So, after talking for 30 minutes on the phone, this person decided to decline my offer in favor of the possibility of interviewing for a job that they believed would be 100% cool, should they get an offer.
I would have settled for the 80% cool job-in-hand rather than the 100% cool job-in-bush, but I am evidently more risk-adverse than kids these days ;)
I have a satisfactory job. I don't leap out of bed excited to go to work each day, but I don't dread it either. I've moved my job search into "passive mode" - my resumes and linkedin profile are available to recruiters online, and I occasionally apply to something super-cool that comes from my saved searches, but it's not something I stress over the way I did when I hated my job or when I was laid off.
ReplyDeleteI had a situation like the one Rebecca describes - I took the 80% cool one, because I needed the security of having *A* job.
I make up for lack of excitement in my job by enjoying what I do outside of my job. It's not a recipe for rapid advancement (internal or external), but I'm okay with trading off the traditional definition of "success" in favour of not hating my life.
I have never settled for anything, part of that is my problem. I do not regret all the times I didn't settle. I've been in green grass, and I know what it tastes like, feels like. I have yet to find it again, and when I do, it won't be settling. It will be great.
ReplyDeleteI need 3 things: good work environment/project, good boss, good location. I have none of that right now. I have had all 3 multiple times before. It is possible. It does exist.
In the mean time, I am making due. I'm using emotional detachment to get through the days.
I heard something today: "Yeah, it's a good place.... to leave!"
jc