Have you recently applied or been approached for a new job (maybe you’ve already received a job offer!), but you’re just not 100% sure if you should go for it…?

Then this week’s video is a MUST WATCH. In it I’m sharing 5 warning signs you should NOT take the job.

Because what’s the point in taking a new job, and 6 months down the line realising that you should’ve never taken it in the first place, and then wanting to leave again…

Want to know what these warning signs are? Watch the video below.

Or if you prefer to read: scroll down!

Red Flags for Job Seekers When Changing Careers

Over the years, I’ve helped hundreds of corporate professionals successfully change careers, and land jobs in new industries. 

And what sometimes happens is that people become so keen to move on from their current job, that they go after, or even accept a job that’s just not right for them. 

Which then turns into a downward spiral where they feel even more stuck, more demotivated, more disillusioned, but they feel they can’t leave because they just started this new job. 

Or they become so paralysed because they get so confused by the whole situation, they don’t know what to do anymore, and are afraid to make a wrong decision. 

The sad thing is that all of this could’ve been prevented, by spotting the warning signs that you should NOT go after, or accept a job in the first place. 

Curious?
I thought so… 

Warning sign 1: you have an off feeling about the job or company

You know that feeling…. when something feels not quite right. You can’t put your finger on it, and you can’t really articulate it. 

Something’s just off. 

Well, if you feel that way about the job or company in question, then as a rule of thumb I’d say don’t go for it. 

Your heart often knows things before your head has figured it out. 

Write that down on a post-it and put it on your bathroom mirror so you see it every morning and evening when you brush your teeth!

Warning sign 2: you’re chasing the money

If one of the main reasons why you’re going after, or are thinking of taking the job is because it pays well… then run, run, run away as fast as you can. 

Look, I get it: having a high-paying job feels good. It can give a real sense of pride, and accomplishment. 

And who doesn’t want to have financial independence, and have enough money to not have to worry about what you spend it on. 

Here’s the thing though: research has shown that how much you earn is a terrible predictor for job satisfaction.

Earning more doesn’t make you enjoy your work more, or make you more satisfied with your career. 

Despite this, a lot of people make career choices based on money. 

It’s common to overestimate how much satisfaction a high-paying job will bring you. 

You might be thinking: “well, Iris, it’s all well and good that research is saying that, but my employer is having a laugh, and I should be earning a lot more than I do, so… yeah getting paid more will make me happier!”

I hear you. The thing with work and money is this:

Money is a neutraliser. 

If you don’t get paid fairly for your work, or what you believe you should get paid, you tend to feel unhappy about that. 

But if you do get paid fairly, or what you believe you should get paid, that doesn’t then automatically make you happy at work. It will just make you feel neutral, or okay about work – you know, nothing to complain. 

So don’t chase the money thinking it will make you enjoy your work more. 

How do you feel about chasing the money? Have you ever gone for a job mainly because it paid so well? Let me know in the comments. 

Total transparency: I know I have, and guess what… although it did initially feel good to do well financially, it ultimately didn’t make me happy. 

Warning sign 3: it’s an exit job

If you feel trapped in your job, or stuck in this situation that you really don’t want to be in, then you probably just want to get OUT. 

And it can be really, really, tempting to take the first opportunity or job that comes on your path. That, my friend, is what I call an exit job. 

There are dream jobs, good enough jobs, and exit jobs. 

An exit job is a job that only serves to get you out of your current job.

It’s the first opportunity that comes along, and your heart’s often not in it, but at least it offers a way out. 

You don’t have to aim to make your next job your dream job, but don’t make it an exit job either. 

Make your next step a good enough job: a job that might not be your dream job, but it’s a good step in the right direction.

Perhaps it’s a job that opens doors to what you really want to do, or perhaps it simply gives you the time, headspace, or financial means to figure things out, and transition into something that you’ll love. 

Now, I’ve done an entire video on more do’s and don’ts (like this one) when it comes to changing careers – and I recommend you check it out here after you’ve finished watching this video.

Warning sign 4: you have to compromise on something that’s really important to you

Let’s say that one of the reasons why you want to leave your current job is because the fast-paced nature of the work, the ‘always on’ approach and the long hours are taking its toll on you. 

You’re not 100% sure what else you want to do, but you know you need something that gives you more time and headspace. You don’t want to live for work anymore. 

So you’ve found this new opportunity that sounds really promising… and you’re tempting to go for it. 

The only thing is that it’s still in a super fast-paced environment. You know the hours won’t be as relentless, but it’ll still be a demanding and stressful job where you always have to be on. 

My advice? Don’t do it.

What’s the point in leaving one job, and swapping it for another job with the same constraints? 

If you’re leaving because of the insane pressure, and long hours, don’t take another job if you need to make compromises on what’s most important to you: time and headspace. 

Figure out what’s really really important to you, whether that’s time, headspace, more flexibility, the opportunity to work from home 3 days a week, or the opportunity to work part-time, and make those things your non-negotiables. Period. 

Warning sign 5: the hiring manager is rude

Okay, so you’ve found a job that sounds really great, it’s not an exit job, and you don’t have to compromise on the things that are most important to you… 

You’ve gone for an interview, and… the hiring manager is rude!

Maybe it was their attitude during the interview, maybe they were belittling, or seemed uninterested. Maybe they were constantly checking out or answering their phone during the interview – without warning you beforehand that they were expecting an important call. 

Whatever it is, if the hiring manager, your potential boss, isn’t treating you with dignity and respect during the interview, walk away. 

If they’re rude during an interview, can you imagine what they will be like as a boss!! 

Walk, no, run away as fast as you can. 

So there you have it, 5 warning signs you shouldn’t go after or take the job you’ve interviewed for. 

If this has made you think… but Iris, tell me, how DO I then choose the right job… make sure you tune in to my upcoming LIVE class called: How To Find The Right Job/Career (when changing careers). 

In this live class I’ll share the 3-step process to work out what job or career suits you best.

Thank you so much for watching! As always, it’s been a real pleasure serving you, and if you liked this video, please please please like subscribe! 

Now, if you’re feeling trapped at work and have been wondering if you should or shouldn’t resign, click on this video in which I share three strategies to help you figure out if it’s time to hand in your notice and do something else.

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Ready for a career change, but not sure where to start of what other job you could or should do?

Sign up for my LIVE class: How To Find The Right Job/Career (When Changing Careers)

Discover how to go beyond the confusion, and find a job or entirely new career that suits YOU – your strengths, your ambitions, your morals, the things you value and care about, and the way you want to live your life.

In this LIVE class, you’ll learn:
The 3 step process to work out what career of job suits you best
Where to start if you have no idea what you want to do
How to make the RIGHT decision if you’re already contemplating a few different jobs or career paths
A highly successful method to let go what you logically think you should be doing, and tap into your intuition to guide you instead

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