How to Stop from “Falling Into” a Job

There are dream jobs and nightmare jobs, with most jobs falling somewhere in-between. The nature of this spectrum is obviously different for everyone, but we all enter the job market with the same goal: to get as close to the “dream job” as possible.

Unfortunately, things don’t always turn out the way you hope. It’s surprisingly easy to just “fall into” a job that isn’t right for you because it was all that was offered, or it seemed like a good idea at the time.

When you let this happen, you’re setting yourself up for a tough time. There's nothing worse than having to drag yourself to a job that you hate every day, and if the job market takes a downturn, you may find yourself stuck there for longer than you ever imagined.

So, how do you avoid this trap? The answer is to make career preparation a top priority, even when you're not actively looking for a job. The following tips will guide you through the process.

1. Know Yourself

Could you imagine Oprah Winfrey working in a cubicle from 9 to 5, or Elon Musk as a customer service representative? Me neither! That's because they know their strengths and passions, and have chosen career paths that align with them. Sometimes falling into a job works out, but if it clashes with your personality and interests, it’s likely to be a recipe for stress and dissatisfaction.

No matter how well we think we know ourselves, there is always more to learn. Evidence-based personality tests like Typefinder or the Enneagram can provide you with insights about your core principles, preferences and tendencies that you might otherwise overlook, while career aptitude tests will help you identify the careers and job categories that are most likely to be in harmony with those traits. If nothing else, you'll get some confirmation that you're on the right track with your career goals.

2. Figure Out What Work-Life Balance Means to You

No matter how good a job looks on paper, if it requires too much time, too much attention and too much sacrifice in your personal life, it's not sustainable. Few people are prepared to neglect their families, hobbies or sanity for their jobs.

This is something you should think carefully about before you sign up to work for a particular employer. What does a good work-life balance look like for you? What are your non-negotiables? How many hours are you willing to put in each week? How much travel is too much? And importantly — does this job offer enough upside that you’re willing to adjust those lines in the sand?

3. Where Do You See Yourself In Five Years?

Cliché interview questions aside, it can sometimes be wise to take a job you aren’t likely to love, if the experience you gain will help you land a job you will treasure down the road. But if you follow this logic, you must be realistic about your chances. You should be certain that your odds of  advancing in the organization are good, and that you haven’t chosen a potential dead-end path based on unrealistic expectations.

If you’re going to take job A because you expect it to lead to job B in two or three years, make sure you do your homework. Has it worked out that way for many others? Does management have a track record of promoting people from within? Or are promotions reserved just for a few who had extraordinary qualifications or unusually good luck?

4. Develop Translatable Skills

Ideally, your education and training won’t be so narrowly focused that it locks you into just a few career options. Flexibility in your skillset is one of your best hedges against falling into a job you dislike, since having transferable skills will give you more career pathways to consider. You'll have more opportunities to make a career change if you realize early you’ve made a mistake.

It's never too late to develop new skills. If you feel like you're lacking in certain areas, attend workshops, take education courses or take on side projects that will allow you to develop new abilities. Be focused on continual learning and improvement, and you'll always have the upper hand in your career.

5. Prepare for Interviews and Ask Good Questions

Don't go into job interviews passively. You should know exactly what you’re getting into before you accept any job, so take advantage of the interview process. Prepare questions in advance that will help you better understand the company culture, expectations and growth opportunities.

For example, ask about the company's values and how they align with your own. Ask about any potential roadblocks or challenges you may encounter in this role. And most importantly, remember that an interview is a two-way street — make sure to assess if the job is right for you as much as they are assessing if you're right for the job. While that isn’t a guarantee of happiness, it will at least protect you from a bad experience based on false or unrealistic expectations.

6. Pay Attention to Red Flags

Even if your career choice is perfect, there will still be good and bad employers. So before accepting a job offer, pay attention to any warning signs that might be present, like high employee turnover, negative online reviews, vague job descriptions or a stressful interviewing experience.

And if you get the chance, approach your future potential co-workers and ask them, off the record, what the work is like and how the managers and employers behave. You may just get some valuable insights and save yourself from making a big mistake.

7. Don’t Let Salary Be Your Only Consideration

Some jobs are about the money and if that's the situation you're in, then salary is probably going to be the most important factor in your decision. But for many of us, happiness and sense of fulfillment come first. Things get tricky when a high-paying job comes along, because it's easy to be swayed by the money. You may try very hard to convince yourself that this is really the job you wanted all along.

Ultimately, the compensation is only one factor to consider. Give it equal weight with all your other priorities. And bear in mind that if you end up loving your modest-paying job, you’ll perform much better and have a greater chance of qualifying for promotions than if you’re turning the wheel on a job you hate from day one.

8. Don't Be Afraid to Say No

Many people feel rushed to pick a career, whether due to societal expectations, parental pressure, or the need for financial security (those student loans have to be paid!). The temptation to jump at the first thing that comes along will be strong. But if you’re feeling doubt, that’s an excellent reason to step back and take some time to think.

We're not saying turn down a job offer — that's a huge decision to make without thinking it through properly. But don't let the pressure or excitement of a new job cloud your judgment. Saying no now could open up opportunities for something better in the future, so take the time to choose wisely.