You've completed the 2nd or 3rd round of
interviews.
The hiring manager and your potential future
colleagues have spoken with you and are now
convinced that they have solid affirmative
answers to
the three essential questions in the back of all
interviewers' minds:
- Can you do it? (Ability, Competence,
Training)
- Will you do it? (Motivation, Interest,
Aptitude)
- Will you fit? (Fit to Culture & Team)
The company has decided that you are a good
fit for the job and that you will be an asset
to the team. But do you know if the job is a
good fit for you?
Setting aside for a moment alternatives that
may be on the table (or just on the horizon),
have you asked the questions that will help
you determine whether or not taking this job
would be the right move?
For example:
- What kinds of work will I be doing? Is
the mix right? What motivates me on the job?
Challenge? Recognition? Making a
difference? Will this opportunity provide
this?
- What will my boss be like? What is her
management style? Does it fit the way I
tick?
- What kind of environment do I want to
work in? What should be the organization's
values? What kind of people do I want to work
with? Are my future colleagues "my kind of
people?" How do I expect to be treated? What
about the physical environment and
infrastructure? Will it stimulate me or drive
me up the wall?
- What do I want to be doing professionally
(or personally) 3-5 years from now (or
beyond)? How will taking this job bring me
closer to that goal?
- How mobile are people in this
organization either upwardly (promotions) or
laterally (changes to different departments
or job functions)? How important is mobility
to me in managing my career over the next few
years?
- What kind of lifestyle do I want to have?
Work Hours? Number of Hours? Amount of
Travel? Commute? How important to me is
lifestyle in the overall equation?
- How much money do I want to be making?
Are there any potential trade-offs I'm
willing to accept for salary? What is the
minimum compensation I require to feel valued
and stay motivated?
Finding the right fit in a job is more than
just a question of matching skills and
interests and making sure that you are
earning the salary you desire and deserve.
People have the best chance of being
successful in jobs where they fit the
position and organization AND vice versa.
So take a close look before your leap, and
land in success - rather than in a mess.
