How To Be Pragmatic in Your Job Search

Anyone searching for a job is bound to have mixed feelings--on one end, hope, positive thinking, and anticipation, and on the other end, fear of rejection, lingering self-doubts and worry. If you have been searching for a job for quite a while, initial optimism and enthusiasm may gradually fade, only to be replaced by anxiety and an inferiority complex if nothing clicks over a period of time.  If you are already employed comfortably, searching for a better job to get better pay or perks is a less stressful affair. But for someone who is searching for the job for the first time, or who has lost his job, the stress is going to be severe and the search, daunting.

As a job hunter, you will have your list of expectations. The key to a satisfactory outcome in the job search is to match your expectations to the reality of the market. Let us consider a few aspects where you have to be pragmatic.

1. Do not expect instant placement. As every day without a job adds to your financial burden, you naturally want to get into a new job within a couple of days or weeks. Though outwardly the job market may look to be brimming with opportunities, it may not be possible for every candidate to find the right slot in a jiffy. Be patient; be mentally prepared to wait for a few months (3 to 6 months) and manage your finances/savings, expenditure patterns, etc. with care. Look for a temporary short-term job till you hit the bull's eye, even if you will be under-employed.
2. Do not expect a slot to open that perfectly matches your qualification and experience. Added to that, you may love to get the best paying package on par with market standards, commensurate with your qualification and experience. But the potential employer may not value both to the extent you do.  At your interview, he may say something along the lines of, "I can employ someone with less qualification and train him." You will have to either convince him of the benefit of your experience, or accept his line of thinking, and settle for a salary that does not match your dreams.
3. Be clear where you can be flexible and where you want to be firm. For example, you may be willing to work a night shift provided the job location is to your liking, but not be willing to work at a location where the climate/accessibility/culture are not suited to your tastes. But what your potential employer offers may be contrary to your parameters. For example, he may offer you a day shift job with good perks, working convenience, transport facilities, etc., but in a location that is not to your liking. Under such situations, you have to make a compromise -- a tough decision, carefully weighing the pros and cons.
4. Be prepared for a "no" to your desire for a change of track. Though you may have worked in a specific activity and gained experience in it, you may want to diversify your experience (and have firm faith in your capacity and potential to do so). You may be looking for a new job with this intent. For example, as a qualified Mechanical Engineer, you may have gained experience in plant and machinery maintenance, but you want to switch over to production planning and control.  You may not get an interview call at all from the prospective employer, as he is looking for specific experience. Even if you get a call, perhaps your lack of on-job experience will be pointed out as a weakness.  The best approach in such a situation is to accept a new job within your past line of experience and try later for a switchover when a vacancy arises. Or if the pay package offered is not up to your expectations, but the employer is willing to try you in the new line of responsibility, you can accept the job, since it gives you an opportunity to prove yourself and move forward.
5. Be prepared for compromise between short-term and long-term career prospects. Perhaps you have always looked for fresh avenues of growth and jumped instantly when an opportunity arises. Now you may feel that by this strategy, you have not gained any solid experience in any niche area. You may want to change your attitude and settle in a very reputed company for a longer period to gain experience in a specific proficiency.

   Or perhaps you may be offered a fat paycheck which is too tempting to refuse, but the firm is willing to take you only for a short contract period, saying the specific project is not likely to run longer. In such a situation, perhaps you may accept the offer (considering the very high income potential) and postpone your dream of settling in a good company for the time being. Alternatively, if you are not too keen on money, you can wait and watch for another opportunity that will match your revised goal.

To conclude, a pragmatic approach invariably means making a well-judged compromise and the compromise could cover several aspects of employment - pay, perks, position, designation, location, short-term benefits, long-term benefits and so on.