Why would you turn down your 'dream job?'

Well, I think first it depends on how you classify your dream job. Are we talking a job that is the perfect career? The perfect benefits plan? I think it really depends on what your dream job entails and for each person that varies. For me, my dream job would be a job somewhere in the field of HR with an excellent (comprehensive) benefits plan.

Anyway, I can think of at least two reasons someone wouldn't take their dream job:

1.) It may not be able to meet their current lifestyle. Maybe it is their dream job (based on the field it's in or the type of work), but it doesn't pay enough or the dream job can't match their current benefits. It may have excellent benefits, but just doesn't compare to their current situation.

2.) It would uproot their family when their family can't be uprooted. Perhaps the spouse has a very successful career and can't move and the job would require a move. Or maybe their kids need to stay where they are for medical purposes.

The reason I refuse a dream job is because of family or violation of my beliefs (ehtics). A dream job must satisfy my family and my values in addition to any other dreams I have.

Hi Greg,

Very true. However, we are asked to help Liz ensure that she covers all her bases when offering the dream applicant the dream job. Please play along....

Thanks!

OK, so let's take the discussion a bit deeper.

Examine the reasons why a candidate is looking. Is it just economics, relationship with a boss, upward mobility, family/external reasons, the list can be rather long. The point I was making is that if ALL the decision factors of why a person is considering a change are met/exceeded, then there is no reason to decline an offer.

In fact, the offer is the cherry on the whip cream on the cake ... After the meal and after the wedding. If you have built a strong relationship with your candidates, followed a full discovery and vetting process, then accepting the offer is really a matter of formality as the candidate should have already integrated your company into their thinking.

Posted via an iPhone, so my apologies for any typos.

Hi Greg,

Again you make a good point. I'll just make one more point and leave it to Liz to clarify - we do not always receive dream job offers from new employers. Often the dream job comes from your present company as a reward for years of hard work. I have seen many of these offers refused for the reasons I stated.

Great question, Liz! In other words, is this 'dream' job the 'R.I.G.H.T.' job?!

R as in Responsibilities:

How do the responsibilities match your skills and interests? Does the position offer sufficient span of control to manage those responsibilities effectively? What factors might expand or contract those responsibilities over time?

I as in Income:

How satisfied are you with the overall compensation package? Does it meet your needs? Exceed them? What, if anything, is missing?

G as in Growth:

What is the organization’s commitment to your ongoing growth and development? What opportunities are likely for you in this regard? How soon before you “max out” learning-wise?

H as in Happiness:

How happy do you see yourself in this job? Is the work sufficiently meaningful to you? Do you feel it’s a fitting conclusion to your job search efforts?

T as in Team:

What were your impressions of the people with whom you’d be working up, down and across the organization? How influential do you envision yourself being with them? What did you notice about the company culture?

(You can read more about the "R.I.G.H.T. Job" assessment and how to score your answers at: http://bit.ly/gblIsP.)

Hope this helps you gain the clarity you're looking for.