How to Walk Away from an Opportunity thats Wrong for You

Q. I just finished a job interview. Everything went well. But I can't get excited about the job. The people were nice but frankly, I got bored.

Should I withdraw my application or hang on to see what happens?

A. Let me share a secret. I love country music especially the classics. Your question reminds me of Kenny Rogers's big hit, The Gambler. I can't quote even a line due to copyright laws, but you can Google the song. Know when to stay. Know when to put down your cards. And above all, recognize when it's time to walk away and time to run.

I believe that everyone in business should create a goal, "Be able to walk away." Be able to let go of a customer who's a pain and a job that's creating pain. Be able to recognize a business opportunity that's all wrong for you, to say, "That's not a good fit."

Feeling bored sounds like a signal to me. If you (or your interviewer) has trouble staying awake, that's like a red light flashing and a big siren screaming, "Go away!"

So...what's the best way to walk (or run)?

1. Expect your interviewer or client to say, "Thank you! We appreciate your honesty."

They probably won't add, "Frankly, we agree you're not a good fit here." But most likely, that's exactly what they're thinking

2. Plan for the unexpected. On very rare occasions, you'll hear, "Oh no! What can we do to make you change your mind?" or, "We have another option that may interest you."

But don't count on it.

3. Create a neutral explanation that's mutually face-saving and final.

Good reasons: "We don't have room to do justice to your project," or, "I've decided to pursue another option that seems to be a better fit for me at this time."

Bad reasons: "The chemistry didn't seem right," or, "I don't see room for my career growth."

Your contact person might be searching for a new job herself and you may be a terrific match for an opportunity in her next position.

4. Recognize that you will (most likely) be burning bridges.

Be sure you aren't acting out of short-term emotion. Wait a few days after the interview (if you have that luxury) and consider talking to a coach, consultant or other trusted sounding board.

5. Revive your networking, sales activity and application process. Often saying "no" will clear the decks for you to clarify what you really want. Some folks believe you're reflecting abundance and making way for newer, more appropriate opportunities to enter your life.

Bottom Line: Being in a position to decline opportunities means you hold a winning hand. You're well along the road to whatever you define as success and prosperity. Use this option sparingly and wisely.

In any relationship, I've found that saying "yes" to the wrong proposal inevitably leads to a bitter, expensive divorce.

About The Author

Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and career/business consultant, helping midlife professionals take their First step to a Second Career. http://www.cathygoodwin.com.

"Ten secrets of mastering a major life change" mailto:subscribe@cathygoodwin.com

Contact: cathy@cathygoodwin.com 505-534-4294

CAREER TOPICS

Bartending School Online- Earn Your Bartender Training From Home
Many young adults flock to bars, lounges and clubs on a weekly basis. They spend hundreds sometimes thousands of dollars on entertaining themselves and their friends.

How You Can Find Freelance Writing Employment
How can you find writing jobs? Do you have proven skills that can propel you in the right direction? If so, then why are you looking for fresh vacancies? The best tool to those who have employment histories is to look to the companies that you have already worked for. There, they can help provide you with more work, or point you in the right direction.

Air Liquide: Driving Liquid Air
Have you ever heard of liquid air? The process of liquifying air was a major scientific achievement that took place over 100 years ago. Even after 100 years there are only a few companies that liquify air, which is probably why you've never heard of it before.

Phone Interviews: Prepare to Ace Them!
More companies are saving time and effort by doing initial telephone interviews before committing themselves to hours of time assessing and evaluating applicants. They are doing this because, frankly, it's a good way to save a team's time from interviewing obviously unqualified people.

Factual Employment Screening Part 1
We have all heard in recent years that the need for a substantive policy of conducting pre-and post-employment background checks exists in more than just defense contractor and fiduciary-based enterprises. Today, with the overwhelming preponderance of employer liability litigation, and with negligent hiring being the focal point of round-table discussions of some of the plaintiff's firms, the need for thorough background checks has been substantiated.

What is Contract Programming? An Alternative to the Conformity of Everyday Employment
What is contract programming, you ask? Well, when companies need specific computer programming expertise, for temporary periods of time, they generally hire a contract programmer or an employee of a consulting firm. Contractors almost always have a higher hourly wage than a salaried employee and are often paid for overtime.

How to Pick the Best Career For You , Part 2: From Exposure-to-Opportunity
Gain an audience by recognizing opportunity There's a sexier method to salsa into a great career with less tripping and more flair. Look for problems to solve and create a personalized solution.

Changing Careers? How to Get Around the Three Major Mental Roadblocks to Success
A part of you can't wait to dive into your new career -- but you're also smart enough to know that you can expect a few bumps along the road to success. By far, the biggest roadblocks exist between your own two ears! Let's take a look at three common mental roadblocks and learn how to overcome them.

So, Your Made A Mistake
Of course, mistakes are important. Two facts put those you make in perspective.

Day Trading - The Ultimate Work-From-Home Job?
Ever dreamt of giving up the daily grind? Want to strike out on your own and work from home, but don't know what you could possibly do to make a living? Full time Nasdaq trader Harvey Walsh wondered just that, and now he asks "Is day trading the ultimate work from home job"?We've probably all had the same thought at some time or another, as we trudge off towards another day at work - the same work we've been doing day in day out for years - "surely there has to be a better way?" Slaving away to make somebody else rich just doesn't seem right somehow, but what alternative? Setting up a new business, or buying an established one, are both expensive and risky prospects. So how can the disenchanted employee ever hope to make the switch from wage-slave to total independence?Those are thoughts I had almost every day, before I quit the safety of full time employment and decided to strike out on my own.

Using Keywords to Find Legitimate Telecommuting Job Leads
Many people are choosing telecommuting as an option to bring in an income while being at home. Whatever the reasons that we choose to work at home, the one thing we all have in common is the problem of locating legitimate jobs online.

How To Conduct A Successful Job Search Campaign
1.Define your objective: Know what kind of work you most enjoy and perform the best.

Children At Work: Looking at Child Labor in the Victorian Age
Today, it isn't that uncommon for some children and teenagers to work. They may earn extra money by baby-sitting, doing yard work, or maybe even walking dogs.

Internships: Bonkers or Brilliant?
I have something to say that's driving me batty. It's regarding graduates who fuss about not getting a job they like or not getting a job at all for that matter.

During Midlife Change: Are You a Jumper or a Clinger?
Over the years, I have identified two kinds of midlife career changers: Jumpers and Clingers.Jumpers thrive on energy, enthusiasm and improbable luck.

So you want to work at home
There are several ways to work from home. Some of the more popular ways are affiliate programs, direct marketing and starting your own business.

The Perfect Fit: Women & Franchising
An interesting combination of factors at this time in history may be the reason so many women are turning to franchising to fulfill their entrepreneurial desires. Women's increased financial power, better education, and corporate experience, combined with their desire for more autonomy and desire to connect with others who share their values make franchising a great fit for many women.

Seven Tips to a Job-Winning Interview
These days, interviews don't come easily. When you get The Call, make the most of your time -- and go for it!1.

Behaviour To Climb The Stepping Stones To Career Success
The heading of this article could just as well have been "How to position yourself for promotion" or "How to position yourself for career advancement" or "How to climb the success ladder" or something similar.What behaviour will improve your chances for success? Behaviour which can be described as good work ethics.

Ask Me No Questions, Ill Tell You No Lies
If only there were no questions involved in getting a job!If you've been following NBC's "The Apprentice," you know who Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth is. She's had the honor of being fired by Donald Trump (and others, according to "People" magazine).