Should You Apply for a Job You Don’t Want?
Reddit user MrNumber28 asked , “Sometimes I wonder if I’ll get more by working for another company. I am happy with my job, the work I do, but obviously I would like to be paid more. Is this wrong / is there any reason I shouldn’t go shopping to see what else I can get? “
This is a dilemma that can make you question every career choice you have made from day one. Should you be grateful for what you have and be confident in your work? Or should you always be looking for something better?
Add that career FOMO to that tidbit that pops up from time to time : your pay rises a lot faster if you change jobs every few years instead of waiting for a raise.
On a very busy Reddit thread, there were words of caution from many who were there and did it. Yes, they agreed, you should always keep an eye on what’s available in your field. But do it carefully.
Check your value
Mikfali insists it’s not personal, it’s business.
Damn it. I always urge my employees to always conduct interviews. It doesn’t feel like cheating in a relationship. This is a business. As an employee, you should always have an idea of your market value and you should practice interviewing by hiring representatives just like anything else. When the big one appears, you should be ready for it.
Jasonpatudy recommends checking the market annually:
One of my best bosses advised me to contact other companies at least once a year to assess my value in the market. You don’t have to ask for a match every time, but it gives you an idea of how much to ask for when promoted.
A close look at job descriptions in your area can help you identify companies that are of interest to you. It can also help you weed out places you definitely never want to work, like any company looking for a keyboard ninja, online warrior, or spreadsheet guru .
Prepare for Practice
Khesushin said that their first interview after a while was stupid:
Oh man, I uttered a swear word during my first interview after 11 years of no one, and I thought in my head, “Definitely not getting this.” I have to say that it took the weight off my shoulders and I just used the rest of this interview to hone what I needed for the future.
Sasselhoff said it could help prepare you for the worst-case scenario:
If you happen to suddenly lose your job (for any reason), your resume is updated, you are comfortable interviewing because you have “practiced” and know where you are in the job market.
If you’ve been out of the market for a while, practical interview questions can help you anticipate any areas that might confuse you – you can even ask Alexa to help you prepare.
Test the water before investing too much energy
Cogentorage advised asking the Big Question in advance:
If you have a job that you are happy with but have frequent contact with recruiters, start with the salary requirements. If you have an idea of what you are worth, you can get rid of a lot of unwanted sentences this way.
Recruiters and hiring managers expect you to ask about salaries early in the interview, so feel free to ask for details while you research the job title and company.
Know the limitations of your industry
IPlaychemistry said:
My industry is full of small businesses that are relatively niche. If I went for an interview, I could easily burn all the bridges to a potential job in my field in the state and lose my job in the process. The industry matters.
Working in a small field means you have to take extra care when looking at jobs – and you can ask potential employers to keep your application secret, advises Ask a Manager’s Alison Green. Another caveat: if you apply for a job without any intention of ever changing company, you could burn bridges in both directions.