Realize that the “perfect job” doesn't exist. There will always be something in a job that you would rather not have to do. Your task is to be self-aware enough to make informed decisions about your limits. Is one disagreeable task connected with an otherwise great job a deal-breaker? Would a high salary in a position that keeps you away from your family for days at a time be a fair exchange for you? Your job satisfaction may depend on the trade-offs you're willing to make.

Begin planning for your next job search as soon as you get acclimated to your present job. Be ready when opportunities come along. It's important to realize that you'll eventually grow out of your first position. At some point your present job will cease to challenge you, and you'll be ready to move on. If you've documented everything you've done and learned, every skill you've developed or sharpened, it will be easier to update your resume and you'll spend less time on your next job search.

Celebrate your successes and don't beat yourself up over things that don't work out. Setbacks are only temporary, and they usually mean something better is on the horizon for you. Years from now when you look back over your career, you'll see that most of the bad stuff didn't have much effect on the big picture anyway.

Deborah Saunders Stanley is Associate Director, Office of Career Services and Coordinator, University Testing Services at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Indiana .

 

The above is an excerpt from The Last Job Search Guide You'll Ever Need: How to Find and Get the Job or Internship of Your Dreams, which is available for sale for $19.85 in our bookstore or $27.00 at Amazon.com but for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. This hot new book contains job search secrets of the most experienced, most knowledgeable and most respected career experts. Learn career planning, job hunting tools and tactics, interviewing, cover letter and resume writing (lots of samples!), networking, and how to find an internship. Written by 149 career experts. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

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