After weeks (alright, maybe even months) of job searching, you finally did it. You received a job offer. You know you should be breaking into your happy dance and celebrating the fact that your seemingly endless hunt is finally coming to an end. But, there’s only one problem: You’re not super passionate about this potential new gig.
The offer’s more than fair. The company seems great. The commute would be easy. But, that doesn’t change the fact that the actual duties and responsibilities don’t really light a fire under you.
So, what do you do? Should you take the job—even if it doesn’t excite you the way that you think it should? Here are five questions to ask yourself to get some clarity on your next steps.
1. How much emphasis do you place on your career?
Your career is a big part of your life—there’s no denying that. But, there’s also no doubt that some people are simply more career-driven than others.
It’s important that you take some time to figure out your own attitude to your career. Are you someone who views a job as just a job—it’s just a way for you to finance all of the other more exciting parts of your life? Or, are you someone who throws your whole self into your work, and needs that piece to be perfect in order to feel fulfilled and satisfied, even outside of the office?
Keep in mind that there’s no right or wrong answer here. But, making sure you take a minute to determine your own perspective will help you decide which route is best for you.
2. How much financial freedom will this job give you?
It may not be the inspiring, thought-provoking message you were hoping for, but the point is still valid: The core purpose of any job is to finance the rest of your life. It’s called work for a reason, after all.
So, taboo or not, an amazing salary is still a great reason to accept a job offer. If this position you’re considering comes along with a hefty pay increase, that can be worth a lot.
Not having to worry about making ends meet—not to mention having the financial means necessary to pursue your other interests and hobbies—can often outweigh the fact that the work isn’t exactly the stuff of your dreams.
3. Will this job teach you something valuable?
Alright, so maybe this job isn’t straight out of your wildest fantasies. However, does that mean it’s a totally useless waste of time? Definitely not.
In fact, maybe this could still be an incredibly beneficial opportunity for you. For example, do you need a little more experience or an expanded skillset in order to be able to land the gigs that truly excited you? Accepting this job could be your chance to do so.
Think about what this job could teach you, and whether or not those skills are things that could better position you for your dream job in the future. Remember, you need to walk before you can run.
4. How much flexibility will this job provide?
Similarly to the first question you asked yourself, it’s also important to evaluate if this job will give you more time and flexibility to pursue passions.
Maybe the responsibilities associated with the position don’t make your heart sing. But, if the job provides ample opportunity to explore your other interests outside of the office, that can be just as fulfilling.
You don’t need to be somebody who just lives to work—you can also work to live.
5. Do you know what else you’d rather be doing?
Of course, you knew we couldn’t end without at least a brief reality check. You might just have a very clear mental picture of what your dream job looks like. But, is that dream really practical? Or, maybe you have no clue what else you’d rather spend eight hours per day doing—you’re just assuming that this isn’t it.
Yes, finding work you love is rewarding. But, it’s important to always remember that there are still many practical, real-world considerations that need to come into play, including finances, stability, benefits, and other things you’d probably rather not think about when daydreaming about your dream gig as a professional ice cream taster.
But, unfortunately, sometimes your fantasy job needs to stay just that—a fantasy.
The world would be an amazing place if we could all find and keep jobs that sent us leaping out of bed with excitement every Monday morning. However, that’s just not reality.
So, when you find yourself wondering whether or not you should take that job—even though you’re not totally passionate about it—remember to take some time to ask yourself these five questions. You should have some much-needed clarity in no time!
