Career Panic: How Do I Know If This Job Is The Right Job?

My first career-panic moment occurred at the beginning of ninth grade.

I was only thirteen at the time when the guidance counselor asked, “What do you plan to major in when you get to college?”

The blank stare on my face must not have registered my answer for her as she persisted by asking, “Well, what do you want to be when you grow up?”

Honestly, I didn’t have a clue. Not one.

At that point my career plans consisted of trying out for cheerleader for the current year, with a backup plan to continue with dance and orchestra.  Looking ahead to high school I was leaning more towards drill team vs. cheerleading but I figured I had another nine months before tryouts to think about it.

The panic that took over as I thought about a life-long career option was almost too much to bear.  I went home in tears, convinced that I would be a failure in life because I had not chosen a career path at age thirteen.

My parents just smiled and said, “Don’t worry; you’ll figure it out. One step at a time.”

Easy for them to say! My life was falling apart before my eyes and they’re telling me to remain calm?

Looking back, I know that mom and dad were right.  I only wish they would have explained things a bit more.

I see a similar type of panic with some of my younger clients when they are interviewing for a job or an internship. Despite having years of college and/or degrees on their resume, many have yet to truly determine what they want to be when they “grow up”.

They ask me, “How do I know if this job is the right job? Or even the right company?”  “What if it isn’t ‘The One’”?

The answer is: You don’t know.  None of us has a crystal ball.

You don’t know if it’s the right job, the right company, if you’ll enjoy the work, or if you’ll like the people.

The only thing we can do is take it one step at a time.

Personally, I look at several criteria when evaluating a job offer:

• How does this job fit into my overall career strategy, both long-term and short-term?
• Will the job add something new to my resume? Skills, title, responsibility, industry?
• Is this job satisfying a personal need and/or desire? Example, transitioning from one career to another. Could be considered part of your career strategy.
• What’s my gut telling me?  Do I have a good feeling about the work I’ll be doing, the people, the company?
• Conversely, have any warnings gone off in my head that won’t go away?  Sometimes that means ignoring a monetary offer so good it’s hard to pass up.

It can help to write down the answers to such questions or even perform a SWOT analysis if that makes you feel better.

But don’t over-analyze; there is no perfect answer.

Accept the job offer that feels right based on your criteria and give it your all.  Learn what you like – and don’t like – about the work and the industry.  Apply those learnings when you decide to move on to the next opportunity in a few years.

Sometimes we’ll hit a home-run the first time at bat.  But don’t panic if you strike out. More than likely, it will take a few swings before we find our true calling. 

We learn from every job experience, even those we are not crazy about.

Remember: One step at a time. One job at a time.