How to make sure a role is right for you

Searching for your dream role and making sure it is the right one for you conjures up plenty of emotions. Maybe you’re excited about a new challenge and can’t wait to get started. Perhaps you’re nervous about taking a step into the unknown. Maybe you’re just testing the water to see what’s out there. Whatever your situation, this article will help you to assess your options and make sure you’re keeping on the right track with fulfilling your career ambitions. From identifying your goals to being realistic about your financial needs, read on to discover some simple and straightforward ways to make sure a role is right for you. 

Get a clear idea about what you want

This may sound obvious but before you decide to take the role, make sure you know what you really want from it. A good place to start is to think about what you liked about your last role and what you would have changed and why. If you are embarking on your career, consider what your dream role would look like and how far this opportunity matches that dream. 

While we all need a certain amount of compensation, try to avoid making it all about the package, at least at this stage. What would fulfill you in terms of your career journey. What kind of environment do you thrive in? Where, geographically, would you like to work? You might have to compromise and reprioritize these goals in the future but there’s no harm in keeping your dreams in sight while you work things through. 

Revisit your applications and check how honest you’ve been

Even the most honest person can be tempted to embellish their resume or cover letter, or adapt their answers and language to appeal to a particular person or company. If you have any nagging doubts about whether a role is the right one for you, check back over your application and see if it is an honest reflection of who you are, what you want, and what you can do for the company. If you aren’t sure, you could always ask a member of your family or a trusted friend to take a look. 

See if you can picture yourself in the role

If your job search has been exhausting (and they often are) or if you have rushed yourself through the process it’s completely understandable that you might not be sure if you actually want the role when it comes to the crunch. So, why not indulge in a little make-believe exercise. Sit back, close your eyes, and try to picture yourself in the role. What would it be like for you on a day-to-day basis? If there is a commute, is it really manageable, financially and in terms of the drain on your time? Is the career progression as good as it sounds and if it isn’t can you live with it? Cast your mind back to your interview. If you didn’t come away inspired and excited, why do you think that was? It’s normal to have doubts and to question things - it’s an important part of the decision-making process and shows an analytical and engaged mind. But if you aren’t feeling that spark, take some time to consider why. 

Do some extra research

While you are considering a job offer, you are still within your rights to revisit your initial research on the company to check the fit is right. If you’re working with a recruitment agency, pick up the phone and ask for a chat about their knowledge of the company and its culture. Revisit the company’s social media and collateral and check their values and way of working are aligned with yours. You can even check employee review sites, though take any reviews with a pinch of salt. Review site content can be vicious and you don’t want an important decision to be influenced by the opinions of disgruntled ex-employees who are looking to sound off at the company. 

Make sure you are completely comfortable with the package on offer

There’s no point in starting a new job if you don’t feel like you are getting a good deal. You want to begin a new challenge with a spring in your step and a feeling of genuine goodwill towards the company, after all. Check over what you are being offered and see if you are happy that it is a good package for what the job entails. It’s a good idea to check what the market rates are but make sure you take any contextualities into account such as company size and sector, the amount of responsibility and experience required, etc. 

If there is anything you aren’t comfortable with, talk to your recruitment company or the employer directly if it isn’t through a recruiter. If the package doesn’t feel fair, discuss your options. The company might not be able to match what you want right now but perhaps they can put a clause in the contract for the remuneration to be reviewed in six months or a year. Or maybe, on second look, they offer such a great workplace and opportunities that these things don’t matter so much after all. Whatever happens, make sure you haven’t been rushed into anything and that - if you decide to take the role - you will be starting it with your best foot forward, knowing it’s the right step for you. 

We hope these tips have helped you on your journey to deciding if a role is right for you. If you need any further support with finding your perfect procurement and supply chain role, get in touch. Or check out our latest procurement and supply chain jobs.