Years ago, I had a decent job with a medium-sized
organization that treated its employees very well. I enjoyed working there, but
realized my opportunity for advancement was limited. I was at the stage of my
career where I was ready for a position with more responsibility and challenge.
Once I came upon this realization, I started passively looking for a job. I
reached out to my recruiters and made it clear that I wasn’t looking for “any
old job” and also that I was in no hurry. I let them know what my parameters
were and to call me if anything that fit them came up.
Eventually, one of my recruiters called about a
high-level job opening with a small organization close to my home. The company
was young, but was a wholly-owned subsidiary of an extremely large overseas
corporation. The compensation package was unknown at this point, but what I did
know sounded appealing and told my recruiter to submit me for consideration.
Days later, I had an interview lined up.
I like job interviews. I don’t get nervous and it gives
people a chance to see my personality and get to know me better. It’s an
opportunity for all parties involved to see if the job will be a good fit. I
interviewed with two gentlemen: the operations manager who lived in another town
who oversaw local operations and a corporate accountant who lived overseas
where the parent company was located. They asked me questions and I asked them
a LOT of questions. I’m very cautious and wanted to ensure that if I was going
to make a move, it was for the better. I don’t think either of them smiled
once. It was the most uncomfortable interview I’d ever had. They were
completely unreadable, which I think was the source of my discomfort.
My recruiter called me the next day. “They LOVED you!” he
gushed, “They want you to come back for a Skype interview with the CFO at
corporate.” That was the last thing I was expecting. I told him I was shocked
because they certainly didn’t act that way. “Oh,” he responded, “I tell employers
all the time to not give candidates the poker face. Candidates need to know
just as much as they do that the other is interested.” I expressed my lack of
interest in having a second interview. I got no warm and fuzzies from the
initial interview and just didn’t have a good feeling about it in general. He
talked me into going on a second interview. “What will it hurt?” he said. True
enough, so I proceeded.
Let’s fast forward to the end of this process. I received
a job offer. On paper, it looked fantastic! It covered all of my wants and
needs: 1) a position with more responsibility and challenges, 2) a small
company, which is my preference, 3) the company’s only customer was the parent
company, so solid job security as far as the company’s health was concerned, 4)
commute time would be reduced from 1+ hour to 15 minutes, 5) 100% paid medical
and dental for me and my husband, 6) generous vacation time, and 7) a 25%
increase in pay. What’s there not to like?
My gut was still screaming, “No! Don’t do it!” I accepted
the job anyway because of all the things I listed above. A month and a half
later, it didn’t work out and it didn’t surprise me. In retrospect, the
questions that I asked in the initial interview weren’t answered…completely.
The picture that was painted of the company was not a true reflection of
reality. The environment and culture of the company was not represented
accurately. But, I already had a bad feeling in the first place that had
nothing to do with how the questions were answered. Nevertheless, I made a bad
decision based on “we’ll tell you what you want to hear” answers and ignoring
my gut.
But was it really a bad decision? At that point in time,
I’d been wanting to start my own business for a while. This event was what
triggered me to ask, “Why not? Why can’t I do it? Is there a better time than
right now to start?” And start I did. I truly believe that things happen for a
reason, even if the reason is not readily apparent. This started me down the
road of entrepreneurship, a road I should have took a long time ago.
Back to the moral of the story. What happened to me was
not fun. It was a major bump in the road of life. I should have listened to my
gut, declined the second interview, and stuck to my guns. My gut was right. Now
that I’m in business for myself, listening to it is going to be more important
than ever. It won’t be right 100% of the time, but I’ll never, ever, be kicking
myself again for ignoring it. I’d rather go with it and fail than not go with
it and fail. At least I won’t be kicking myself.
So, for all you job hunters out there, employed or
unemployed, listen to your gut. Even if the offer is good, the pay is better,
the benefits are better, it’s closer to home, or whatever, if your gut is
screaming out “No!” and you don’t have genuine excitement about the offer,
please consider turning it down. Sometimes, the word “no” is the most
liberating and happiness-inducing one of them all.
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