“I knew week two that I shouldn’t have taken this position.”
Imagine accepting a new position, excited to begin your new chapter, and realizing ten days in that you made a mistake. Unfortunately, that’s the reality of way too many eager young professionals who realize a little too late that they made the wrong decision.
When you’re so desperate and anxious to land a new job, you can find yourself willing to take whatever is in front of you. But, as much as employers are interviewing you to make sure you’re a perfect fit, you should be interviewing them.
From the time you set your eyes on the job description, until the moment you accept the job offer, you should be vetting the company and the position to make sure it’s the best fit for you. It’s so important to be alert and to pay attention to the signs that you might be heading in the wrong direction.
Signs you shouldn’t waste your time pursuing a position
Here are 5 subtle signs you shouldn’t waste your time pursuing a position.
1. You’re Running Away From Your Current Job
If your sole reason for applying for a job you stumbled upon is because it seems like a good alternative to your current position, stop. If the basis of your application is “I need to quit my job,” you’ll end up in another position that you’ll want to quit too. Your pursuit for another position should be geared towards your desire to discover the next best opportunity for you, not your desire to leave your current company as quickly as possible – even if that is a motivating factor.
Rather than shooting off your resume because the positon sounds better than your current situation, analyze the job description and objectively consider if the position will bring the fulfillment you’re looking for in your next role.
2. You Only Love 10% Of The Responsibilities
This is a big mistake that many people make especially when they want to get their foot in the door at their dream company, or when they’re in rush to leave their current role. Sure, you have to start somewhere and every position has a variety of responsibilities that you won’t enjoy as much as others.
But, if you’re scrolling through the job description or listening to the interviewer talk about the responsibilities of the role, and most of the duties don’t excite you, then the position is probably not for you.
And, you shouldn’t convince yourself otherwise, even if you think the position could lead to better opportunities. Taking a job in hopes that it will lead you elsewhere is not the best plan of action. It’ll be impossible to make an impact, get your foot in the door, or even get a promotion if you lack enthusiasm for majority of your day-to-day tasks.
3. The Company’s Vibe Isn’t Adding Up
Before you head into a job interview, you should, of course, do your research – twice, so you can be prepared for the interview. But, if you walk into the company’s office and the vibe seems nothing like the description you saw on the company’s website, that is a cause for concern.
For instance, if you were really motivated by the collaborative culture touted on the company’s website and you walk into to an awkwardly quiet office without any friendly faces smiling back at you, then you should take that as a sign that the culture may not be everything they’ve flaunted it to be online.
Or, if the company’s raving perks aren’t matching up with the countless negative Glassdoor reviews you’ve read, then you should take note of that, and ask questions in the interview to learn more.
If the vibe you’re seeing in front of you doesn’t match what you were expecting, you should consider if the position is worth any more of your energy.
4. You Have To Sacrifice A Fundamental Aspect of Your Life
Positions sometimes require relocating to a new city, lengthy commutes, frequent overtime, or even a ton of travel, which are awesome opportunities for someone who’s looking for those kinds of experiences and challenges. However, if you know that you’re not willing to move to Kansas City for the position, or that you’re not willing to miss important family moments due to long hours at work, or that you’d rather not travel for work 3-4 times a month, then you should reconsider pursuing the position.
Occasionally, you might not discover the depth of these requirements until you land an interview, but in that moment, ask questions to get a better sense of what the position entails. You don’t want to wait until you get the job offer to negotiate an element of the position the company sees as non-negotiable. So, it’s better to know the essentials of the positon up front, so that you can decide beforehand if you’re willing to make that sacrifice.
5. You’re Getting Vague Answers To Essential Questions
Whenever you’re in an interview, you should take full advantage of your opportunity to learn as much inside information as you can about the company and your role. You shouldn’t be afraid to ask tough questions like: “Why is this position available?” “What are the most challenging elements of this role?” And, “Can I meet some of the people I’d be working with?”
But don’t just ask these questions and pat yourself on the back, listen to the interviewer’s responses. Be on the lookout for any hesitation or awkwardness. If you notice any attempts to dodge the question, then you should take that as a sign that something isn’t right. Your potential employer should be open and transparent with you about every element of the position and company. If it seems like the interviewer is having a hard time, you should take note of that.
I know, job hunting is hard enough as it is, but when making a career change it’s better to give yourself every opportunity possible to ensure that you’re making the right one. And, paying attention to these red flags are a step in the right direction.
Originally published at Forbes