Should You Accept a Job that You Don't Want

By Angela Lewis-Guy

Jan 22, 2012

Beginning this week we'll be answering some reader submitted questions on job hunting, career development and entrepreneurship.

This week our HR Expert, Angela Lewis Guy is tackling a question on whether you should ever take a job that you don't want.

Q: Should you accept a job you don’t want? In a fast changing and competitive industry, people often take up roles just so they can get into the industry.

But these roles aren’t always the right career move. So, how do you stay on track for your dream job?

A: Decisions about accepting a job are always a challenge. This is particularly true when you're qualified to do the job you really want, but you can't find any open opportunities to go do it.

In some cases the deal breaker for accepting a job that you may not love is the money or the thoughy that it may be a stepping stone to better position in the future.

My thought is that, ideally, you shouldn't accept a job you don't want if there's an option to work at a position that's in line with our career goals and dreams

" But the reality is that success does not always happen when we want it. Sometimes the dream job isn't an option at the time"

If you find yourself in a situation where you feel that you have to accept a position that you don’t really want because of some pressing circumstance, here are few pointers to guide you along.

And I temper these pointers by saying that each individual is driven by different motives, different values and different dreams. So, what may work for one person may not work for another. The underlying message here is to act with integrity and honesty, whatever the decision.

Do your due diligence on the job and the organization with which you may be considering a partnership. Remember that at the end of the day you want your integrity to remain intact.

Be honest with your potential employers about your reasons for wanting to accept the job in the first place; it may be uncomfortable but they will respect your honesty. If you do find yourself in a situation where you desperately need a job, ensure that you take the time and opportunity to transfer some of the technical and leadership skills which you have mastered to the organization.

Have a plan for the deviation you are taking from your desired career path? How you will transfer skills? How long you will stay in the position? How will you add to your body of professional knowledge from the job? Establish indicators that will tell you that it is time to move on (it does not necessarily have to be when the next job comes along.

Speak to someone you respect and trust, like a mentor, before accepting the job so that you can get another opinion on the soundness of your decision.

Be a scout. Always be on the lookout for opportunities that will take you back or closer to your desired career role. If you do accept a job, give it your best shot. No complaining, since you made the decision to accept the job in the first place.

The big risk in taking a job that you don't want is that you'll tend to not be fully engaged. This often eads to you not giving your best to the organisation.

This is where professionalism and maturity come into play. If you get to the point where you're shortchanging the organization, be courageous and honest enough to admit it to yourself and your peers and superiors and make a graceful and respectful exit.

If, however, you are in a circumstance where you may need to hold on to the job, for the salary or to position yourself for future opportunities, you will need to use all your resources and faculties to provide excellent results.

"My equation for success is: Readiness + Opportunity. So you must be ready to assume your dream role when the opportunity presents itself."

About the Authour

Angela Lewis Guy is a Strategic HR Professional, with over 10 years of experience, based in Trinidad.

What do you think? Should a person take a job that they don't want to get a foot in the industry. Let us know in the comments below

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Should You Accept a Job that You Don't Want