The importance of fit is quite possibly THE most important factor in job satisfaction. We’ve probably all been told a job “just wasn’t a good fit” when we didn’t get a job that seemed great on the surface—but what does that actually mean? It’s normal to feel frustrated, like it’s just an excuse, but anyone who’s been in a job that’s not a good fit can tell you, it’s not! What employers really mean is one of a few things:
1) Your communication style is out of sync. If you’re dynamic and extroverted and a frequent communicator and your company is mainly people who are quieter and more introverted, they’ll be turned off by you and you’ll be frustrated by them.
2) Your values aren’t aligned, and we don’t mean a moral judgement here—if you’re a formal person who prefers working at a desk and is strict about deadlines, you won’t be happy in a casual, open-plan office that works on a flexible schedule.
3) Your experience is a little off. “You’re overqualified” is the fraternal twin of “it’s not a good fit,” if you’re already past the level of experience and responsibility the job requires, you’ll be bored and ready to move up sooner than the company is planning on.
This doesn’t mean you should try to anticipate what the company wants—quite the opposite! It means that you should be yourself through and through, so you don’t end up taking a job that’s wrong for you!
