Do Not settle.

Me: “So you’ve been offered the job – congrats! I am so thrilled for you!”

Friend: “Well, it’s not perfect, but it’ll do…”

Me: “….”

Friend: “….”

Me: “Why the heck did you not discuss with them to make it fantastic??”

Friend: “Well, they might say “no” or worse, retract the offer!”

Me: [breaks into long rant about the need to work in your zone of genius]

I seriously have these conversations All. The. Damn. Time. 

There is this belief that when we apply for jobs, we’re at the mercy of the company we’re applying at. That asking for better or for something different jeopardises our chance to get the role as we might upset our future employer.

And here’s why that’s problematic:

When the job is not exactly right for you (when you’re not enjoying it and / or when it doesn’t leverage your magic) you won’t do your best work. And when your tasks are just copy / pastes from the previous person in it, sans critical thinking about what actually needs doing to lift the team to the next level, you won’t do work with the biggest impact possible.

And because you won’t have the impact you crave, you get less enthusiastic and inspired. Ergo: you won’t be doing your best work. Which sucks for you (life’s too short to feel meh, peeps!) and it sucks for the company (I don’t think I need to explain this one, do I?)

Worst case scenario: your career stalls or fizzles out.

What you need to do instead, my friend, is right at the start during the application process, have a CONVERSATION, not an interview. Work out what the company REALLY needs, figure out if that is what you want to do and what you’re really good at (ie if there’s a great match between their needs and your zone of genius).

If you can create a amazing match between those two: wonderful! You’ve got your dream job! (Also, it will inherently pay a lot better than the original one, as it will be bigger, and better and more badass and they’ll use your full skillset).

And if there’s not a match: wonderful, too! Walk away, knowing you did what is best for all involved.

Let me give you an example of one of my wonderful clients who experienced exactly this path.

When she first got in touch with this company, they hit if off, saw mutual benefits of working together, but ultimately it wasn’t the right opportunity for both of them. My client confidently walked away, knowing she had made the right decision for the company and importantly: herself.

Fast forward to a few months later, and the company reached out to her, asking her to talk to them about a perfect fitting role, based on the conversations they had had prior (and making 30-35% more than with the original role…).

This, my dears, this is how the world ends up being a bit better.

So let me take your face in my two hands and say this again: only take the role if there is a perfect match. Do NOT settle for less.

Contact me if you need help gaining the clarity, confidence and competence to navigate and negotiate your career.