So you are in a bar, coffee house or similar. You see that person that absolutely catches your interest. As you watch, they order their drink or maybe finish their purchase and start to leave. At this point you have two options…you stand there with your hands in your pockets and do nothing; or you simply walk up and introduce yourself. The former is easy. There is no risk; there is no harm; and you do not put yourself on the line. There is also no reward. You gain nothing; you learn nothing; you do not meet someone new; you do not get better. The latter is where the fireworks happen-one way or the other. You introduce yourself, and life starts to become a series of one of two options. They will either respond, or they won’t. The conversation will go well, or it won’t. It will lead to something spectacular, or it won’t. The beauty is that you know and there is never the “what if” that keeps you up at night and clouds your thoughts with doubt. This is where you grow as a person, learn what works and what does not.
So as I am a fan of analogies, I shared this scenario to talk about a new thing that we are seeing in the market. I call it the “yellow stripe syndrome”. It is the fear to take a chance on what seems to be a great fit. The candidate has had all of the needed conversations; they have all available data; and have been more than pleased with what has happened in the process thus far. Now that we make it to the actual decision, which should be a no brainer at this point, they are hesitant and filled with trepidation.
A couple of my own thoughts surrounding this matter- the first is that do not even begin to have the discussions if you are not at least interested in learning about the opportunity. If you get to the point of receiving an offer, and simply change your mind you smear your name in the market. As Profylers and recruiters, we talk. We sit around over drinks and discuss the candidates that went through the entire process just to say no at the end with no “real” ( i.e. Salary, work/life balance, benefits, et al) reason other than the mood struck them. We discuss what you did, and frankly decide that we will no longer work with you.
I appreciate the fact that changing jobs is one of the top 5 most stressful things that you will do. I honestly get it. However, the point of using a recruiter is to expedite the process and make the transition easy. A couple things that should be accomplished prior to the decision date:
1) Talk with your spouse/significant other. Make sure they are on board with a move prior to a decision being needed.
2) Make sure that you are actually interested in the company, as well as the position. A no to either is a waste to everybody’s time.
3) Make sure that you know what salary you are looking for, or more importantly, what you will accept to take the new offer.
4) Know whether you like the people in the company that you will be interacting with. That is an incredibly important fact.
5) Be motivated or engaged…anything less and you do yourself a disservice.
At the end of the day, the decision is yours, but it should have been decided upon way before the final bell has rung. Fear is that nagging thing in the back of your mind that will keep you from being successful. Do not let that stand in the way of your career or your life
Simply stated…..go introduce yourself. Do not let chances pass you by.
