Brad Remillard, a 25-year executive recruiter, authored a blog post about the high cost of making a bad hire. It is definitely expensive.
It also made me wonder if you, Mr. CFO Search Candidate, have given thought to the high cost of accepting the wrong position.
Failure is an option
Taking the wrong position or taking the right position at the wrong company is a recipe for failure. A sound reason for making sure you are very clear about what you have to offer and to whom!
That is precisely why I am such a fan of branding. When you understand your authentic value (brand) and the market you serve (target), decision-making is much easier. You attract the “right” opportunities and repel those that are not a good fit.
Sadly, failure …
Sticks like glue,
And, you have to explain it.
Do you really want that mess as the lead in under Employment History on your resume? This job market is tough enough without adding a conversation around a bad decision that led to 1) no contributions and/or 2) leaving shortly after you’re hired.
Dissatisfaction leads to job search mode … again
Job searching is not fun. It’s hard work, filled with rejection, undermining confidence, and can even lead to desperation. Desperation can lead to repeating the same cycle of choosing the wrong position and/or the wrong company, again.
Passive candidates who are open to hearing about new opportunities HOLD THE MOST POWER. It may not be right, especially given the current market, but it is true. Making great decisions about where you go and when is a smart, long-term career management strategy.
I think you make a great point here. Now more than ever you must make smart decisions about your career. To take a job because you are desperate my come back to haunt you one day. I would suggest doing consulting or temporary work to get through the tough times. Stay on track with your career goals and don’t get side tracked out of desperation. Having to explain a bad career move may be more difficult than explaining a gap in employment. Many job seekers have the same story about 2009.
I understand and agree in principle with the value of branding oneself in today’s competitive marketplace.
That said, when one is faced with having to pay the mortgage, food and literally survive economically, there may be no such thing as the wrong job.
Taking away the daily financial pressures can allow the person to better focus on one’s career. If a wrong job is taken it may need to eb corrected in the near future but it is far better than having zero income and all the hardships that accompnay it.
Advice is easy to give for others. Unless you have been in that person’s situation you can not possibly understand or relate ot it.
Keith G. Chatting
President & Managing Partner
Princeton Executive Search
Telephoen 954-306-0999
keith@princetonexecsearch.com
Thanks for commenting, Keith.
My point was more about proactively managing a career BEFORE finding yourself in job search mode … which often leads to taking “any” job rather than the “right” job.
What is interesting to me is that most people do not even think about their careers until they know they will be looking for a job or worse, have been kicked to the curb and need a job. A 3 to 5-year plan for your career is the difference. It gives “passive candidate” status while deciding where to go, when.