I just read a recent Harvard Business Review article which discusses the “Power of Positive Failure.” The author (David Simms) had hosted a panel of non-profit leaders and had asked each panelist to share a failure from which they had learned a valuable lesson. They did, and the article goes on to share with us what each one learned from that experience.  I highly recommend you go read it NOW, especially if you are searching for a new job.  More than one of the respondents gave examples that fit the job search.  This is certainly NOT an area you want to make mistakes because you haven’t done your due diligence.

It got me thinking. . . what can I share with YOU, so that YOU can learn from my past mistakes that will make THIS job search better for YOU?

1) If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. I remember taking a job that I felt wasn’t right from the day I started.  However, I was too stubborn to quit, so I “stuck it out” for several weeks.  At which point I was frustrated and my boss was frustrated with me because he knew I didn’t want to be there.  When I left that position there were hurt feelings and some negative experiences all around.  I don’t want to do that again.

2) Negotiate up front. I once took a job with substandard pay and a promise that my salary would increase after a certain amount of time in the position.  Needless to say, the time for a big raise never came.  I should have negotiated a better compensation package going in.

3) Don’t take any job for granted. Most of us live in “employment at will” states, which means that we can be terminated for any (or no) reason at any time. There is no longer any such thing as a “social contract for life” when it comes to the employer/employee relationship. That may be good, or bad, or just the way it is.  At any rate, once you have a job you need to work hard and show your supervisors that they have done the right thing in hiring you.  If work slows down, you don’t want to give them any reason to allow you the opportunity to be the first out the door.  In other words, show up and work hard.  Hey, your employer is paying you to do your best, so give it to him/her.

4) If you lose your job go find another one. I have a good friend who worked for me a while back.  When business slowed down and I had to let him go.  I was very apologetic and felt bad, but my friend said, “I was doing something else when this job came along.  Now I’ll go do something else.”  It was a great attitude! I appreciated it and it helped him find his next job in nothing flat.

What about you?  What have you learned from your previous jobs that will help you in your current job search?