So many of us are conditioned to evaluate if we’re good enough to be hired for a specific role in a company and try hard to crack the interview. But we hardly think about what we look for in a company and assess if the company is a good fit for us.
We’re wired to say yes to an offer that sounds the most attractive. It could be the paycheck, brand name, impressive title, working with familiar people, employee-centric work environment, large company with unique growth challenges, remote-friendly work, etc. These are valid considerations.
But what is more important is to take the time to consider our own values and priorities to see if they align with the company’s goals and culture.
For example, let’s say we performed exceptionally well in our previous company, but a lack of recognition derailed our interest in working any further. In this case, the gap is not necessarily in terms of a paycheck but not having a strong advocate in the name of a manager interested in our growth.
With this context, if we choose to say yes to any job offer that’d get us out of this mess, things could get even messier in the next company because we operate the muscle of wanting to escape the current trap instead of being conscious about where we want to be.
When I was experiencing a similar crisis, a friend told me to have standards for the company or job I wanted to work for. That thought struck a chord with me. It pushed me to think of my values and priorities and the necessary work conditions to set me up for success. This clarity is essential to get to the bottom of things, recognize our blindspots and take action to set ourselves free from the current chaos.
For the above example, getting to the bottom of things could lead to two approaches:
- See if there’s a way to candidly talk with the current manager or any trusted leader to let them know our feelings and prompt them to direct us towards a clear path. We must trust our intuition to notice if they’re honest and intentional about their response. If things are improving, patience and determination will help us land where we intend to be in our current job.
- If nothing works, we must contemplate what went wrong and what we could have done better. Use this prompt to decide what conducive work conditions mean to us and the kind of manager we wish to report to. These could be our evaluation criteria for the next job. And not a fat paycheck or title.
After all, job satisfaction and fulfillment depend on a myriad of profoundly personal and meaningful factors. Focusing on that and evaluating our compatibility with the company to know if the fit is mutual could lead to better outcomes versus going by the generic advice on the internet.
When you’re experiencing discomfort and dissatisfaction, focus on seeking the opportunity you want instead of complacently accepting what you get.
Akkshaya Varkhedi 