Do You Want the Job That Isn’t Offered?

I hear from a lot of candidates that the job at hand is their “dream job.” I don’t doubt their sincerity, but the problem is that while I may hear that from five candidates, at least four of them are going to be disappointed. While all five think the job is their dream, the prospects of hiring most of them aren’t dreamy for the organization — for any number of reasons.

But let’s say that, by accident or miracle, you get your dream job despite the fact that you aren’t the dream candidate for the employer. Then what? I’ll tell you this: get ready. Unless you and your employer agree that you’re the best candidate for the job, it could well be a rough, short tenure.

Why is this a career lesson? Because even in these tough economic times, having a poorly fitting job may not be better than no job at all. Yes, you’ll have a paycheck, but there will be a price to pay in mismatched expectations, micromanagement, and stress. It’s a choice you need to balance, with real consequences.