Have you ever taken a role you weren't thrilled with rather than continuing your job search? - SmartBrief

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Have you ever taken a role you weren’t thrilled with rather than continuing your job search?

Have you ever taken a role you weren't thrilled with rather than continuing your job search?

2 min read

Leadership

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SmartPulse — our weekly nonscientific reader poll in SmartBrief on Leadership — tracks feedback from over 240,000 business leaders. We run the poll question each week in our newsletter.

Have you ever taken a role you weren’t thrilled with rather than continuing your job search?

  • Yes. I just needed a job immediately: 45%
  • Yes. I was getting sick of the job search process: 20%
  • No. I’ve only taken roles I really wanted: 35%

Sometimes we have to settle. Job searches are high stress, high pressure situations. Sometimes the need for income far outweighs the desire for a perfect role. While those situations will happen, look for opportunities to create your own opportunities. Constantly invest in building and strengthening your network. When you’re employed in a role you don’t like, see how you can change your role and make it something you love. Look for other internal postings at your company where there’s a better fit for you. Continue networking and job searching constantly. By doing so, you’ll keep your network fresh so when you do need that next role, your search process can be faster, you won’t settle because you’re sick of the process, and your chances of finding a job you love are much improved.

Mike Figliuolo is managing director of thoughtLEADERS. Before launching his own company, he worked at McKinsey & Co., Capital One and Scotts Miracle-Gro. He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He’s the author of three leadership books: “One Piece of Paper,” “Lead Inside the Box” and “The Elegant Pitch.”