Sometimes I help clients decide whether to turn down a job.

Yes, that’s right. Even in this tough labour market some of my clients are deciding not to take jobs.

These aren’t easy choices to make.

I’ve written before about how you are not desperate. That post focused on applying for the right jobs. What happens when you actually get an interview and get the offer but learned along the way that this wasn’t right? Or when you have an option to renew the contract on a job you know isn’t right for you any more?

Any of the points below could also be negotiating points. When offered a job, you want to ask yourself “What would make it a no-brainer to take it?” (HT: Victoria Brouhard).

Some issues you will compromise on but walking away is always an option.

Know your goals

You need to measure the rightness of the job against some criteria. It is best if those criteria are your own and not some vague sense of what you should want.

Will this job take you further down the career path you want to be on? Even if this particular position is not ideal, will it offer opportunities to develop skills, experience, and networks that will enable you to move into something better later?

Or will it take you away from that path? Can you see right now that if you took this job you would be in a worse position 2 years from now?

Your job isn’t everything

What will taking the job do to your family and other important aspects of your life? Does this job require you to move away from people who are important to you? Or does it mean that your partner needs to make considerable sacrifices to accompany you?

Are you part of a community? Will it be possible to build that kind of community in the new place?

Do you have hobbies that are important to you? Will you be able to continue those if you take this job? How difficult will that be? (This is particularly important for things like skiing that require particular weather conditions. And for those who are involved in competitive sports.)

You get to choose your compromise

You are not entitled to the perfect job that meets all of your needs. However, you get to pick what you compromise.

• You don’t have to be willing to move anywhere.
• You don’t have to accept a crappy organization culture.
• *add your personal priority here*

However, if you won’t compromise on that thing you may have to compromise on something else.

What helps?

Knowing what’s important to you. Specifically.

Being open-minded about the variety of jobs in which you could have those specific important needs met.

Having a financial cushion.

Support from friends, family, mentors.

Self-confidence.

I’m honoured to be on the list of people these clients wanted to talk to before they make that decision final. I recognize that I am only one of several people they talked to about this. Sometimes it is helpful to have someone who is not emotionally invested as a sounding board. And my superpowers do include asking good questions.