Let us admit it: when looking for work, there comes a point when you grab the first thing available, even a job “for the meantime.” But as days, weeks and months pass, that temporary job turns into years. You end up dragging yourself around the company, depressed by realizing you have a miserable life, a miserable job and a miserable boss, because everything bothers you, you like nothing and everything irritates you.

 

We understand the urgent need for a job to cover those endless, punishing expenses: rent, electricity, water, schooling, shoes, clothes, groceries and transportation. Everything gets more expensive, and being unemployed is frightening! In Mexico, the Ministry of Labor says that even someone actively seeking employment can take up to 11 months to find that precious job that will help them pursue their dreams. That does not mean finding work they enjoy, know how to do, or that even pays well. That is why we see so many sad, hostile, bad-tempered and withdrawn people at work. Many are frustrated because their “temporary” job has become the story of the past 10 years.

 

I understand that financial circumstances can lead you to take the first thing available, and I have always believed in taking every opportunity. Outside that scenario, if you are enduring the terrible ordeal of finding work, I want to offer suggestions to determine whether that job is ideal or will become your new prison, making your life even mooooore miserable than you believe it is:

 

  1. It matches what you know how to do and/or studied: dear reader, nothing is better than immersing yourself in something you know or have expertise in. Work can be enjoyable, but it is even more enjoyable when you feel confident in your activity. Now, do you want to change professions?
  2. It inspires you: Thinking about it makes you smile and picture a future where you are happy, content, satisfied and earning the money you need. There is nothing worse than spending 8 hrs. of your office-worker life doing something that bores you to tears, irritates you and gives you more heartburn and indigestion than good moments.
  3. Yes, the pay is good: nothing would be better than an easy, comfortable job close to home, with flexible hours, no awful boss and a salary of 50,000 pesos. But that is not reality. Still, having enough pay to cover your expenses and move forward with peace of mind matters. This is not about settling into a comfort zone, but at least working with the knowledge that the compensation makes it worthwhile. Money is not everything in life, but it certainly brings a great deal of peace of mind.
  4. Growth plan: If you are ambitious and do not want to become like a unionized bureaucrat, spending 20 years doing the same thing for the same pay but with a job, you must ask your recruiter from the first contact about the short-, medium- and long-term growth plan. This will largely determine whether you are willing to commit or see it as a job “for the meantime.”
  5. Corporate philosophy: dear reader, this is something we never think about or even pay attention to. However, just as you ask about opportunities for growth, it is important to ask about the company's mission, vision, values and DNA. Take note: if the recruiter does not even know them, that is a red flag! Find out whether that philosophy aligns with your own philosophy of life. For example, if one of the values is “a sense of urgency,” think carefully if you do not enjoy working under pressure and to deadlines.
  6. Work environment: Ask about the atmosphere, too. Are there social gatherings outside work, family events or team-building activities? How are collegiality and camaraderie encouraged? How does leadership operate? Investigating this during recruitment and selection is strongly recommended. Even renowned companies and enormous multinational brands can be real battlegrounds inside, where only the strongest—or those with no life outside work—survive.
  7. Work–life balance: It is important to assess how well the company in question will let you balance your career and family. Many companies struggle enormously to understand that people have families, parents, partners and children; that it matters to us to attend the Mother's Day celebration to see our little girl dressed as a flower, or the Father's Day celebration to hear our boy sing “I want to be like my dad.” In this century, companies that do not understand their people have personal lives are out of the game. Ask questions, research and Google the company and its staff turnover: that figure can reveal a great deal about what we are discussing.

 

Anyway, dear reader, remember our advice: taking a job simply because it is available is not the whole story. If your situation is urgent, that is understandable. But how long are you willing to endure an unfulfilling job simply because it was the first one that came along? If you can afford to wait for the right offer, examine the company carefully and get to know it. What does it do, where is it from, what is life like inside it, and what will working there add to your life? The more you research and ask the recruiter, the better. More information makes the decision firmer and easier.

 

Remember that, after all, you are in control of your life. You must decide where you will be happy in the years ahead.

 

Stay alert!