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Aim
If you are offered, or applying for a job that seems perfect, it is very easy to get carried away by the excitement. You can very easily overlook or dismiss certain job requirements that you just can’t fulfill. It is very important, therefore, to think through some of the practical aspects of a job before accepting.
Task
When making decisions about career changes, it is important to set out what you can do, what you can’t do, and your deal-breakers (what will be needed for you to meet certain requests).
- Before making a decision about a job, you will need to draw up a list of position ‘requirements’. These may include skills, qualifications, experience; also the need to relocate, commute, work longer or flexible hours, etc. Make this list by noting in the right hand column of the table attached:
a) the specified requirements from the job description or advert (e.g. technical skills or management experience)
b) the inferred requirements (e.g. if you know you will have to commute)
c) (If you are deciding between a number of different options, fill out a separate table for each job so you can compare them.)
- Now work through each requirement in turn. Fill in the ‘What can you do?’ column by considering whether you can meet the requirement and what this would entail.
- Fill in the ‘What can’t you do?’ column by considering what limitations you have that mean you can’t meet the requirement. These may be due to family commitments, living costs, etc.
- Fill in the ‘Deal breakers’ column by considering what is needed for you to be able to meet the requirement. Examples are offered in the first two rows.
- Once the table is complete, carefully review your options.
a) Are you going to accept/apply for the job?
b) Are there any constraining factors that mean you can’t accept or apply for the job you want?
c) If you still want to accept or apply for your ideal job but can’t meet the requirements, what will you have to change?
d) How can you achieve your deal breakers?
e) If you are comparing more than one job, which one now looks like the better option?
f) Do you need to reconsider your career options?
Job Title:
Job requirements
What can you do?
What can’t you do?
Deal breakers
Work overtime when required
Work some weekends
Work after 6pm
I need flexitime
Relocate
Travel up to one hour
Move house
Salary increase to cover costs
