So this is what it feels like. By it, I mean the most ubiquitous and annoying word any job searcher hears and that word is “fit.” Fit, look for fit, see how it fits, blah blah blah. It was good advice but “fit” can be a terribly hard matter to conceptualize and accurately foresee. A mentor of mine once told me that the interview process was just like dating. Everyone has their baggage but you do your best to give off your best first impression. And to be honest, you’re not completely authentic at first. How often do you talk about all your personal issues on your first date? So, instead of challenges or weaknesses, things become “opportunities for improvement.”
Well back in March, I went on this date with the housing department of the University of Wisconsin La Crosse and it was wonderful. We talked about all the things we had in common and really had a connection. So sometime in April, we became Facebook official and like any relationship that’s when the doubt started seeping in.
How could I trust that everything they represented was how things would actually be? If you have doubt about a commitment, is that a bad sign of things to come? So I was nervous but from the day I arrived, I knew what fit meant. Upon arriving at the airport, I was greeted by several members of the department and felt the love. I’ve been in town for two weeks and have been working for about a week now. And while there has been a learning curve, everything that we talked about during those dates has revealed itself to be true. From the office culture, to the policies and procedures, I’ve found a congruence with my values and it couldn’t feel any better.
It’s important to have an idea of what you want in a work environment. But for the most part it’s a risk because you can never know until you know. So being nervous before starting a new job is ok. Having doubts on if you made the right decision is ok. But if you do your due diligence on the front end, ask the right questions and reflect on what your values are, you’ll find that your heart will lead you to what feels right.
