When a "perfect" opportunity comes along, if you have even one moment of doubt, no matter how fleeting or illusive, pay attention.
That is your inner wisdom trying to tell you something.
How many times have you silenced those little voices in your head or ignored the flutter in your chest at a moment of decision? We all do it.
That quiet clues goes by so fast, it's easy to miss them.
In fact, often you have to train yourself not only to listen but also to trust what you hear.
This is especially true when you badly need a job and someone offers you one that is "too good to be true.
" Before you accept, consider these rules: 1.
Interview the interviewer.
An interview is two-way street.
The hiring person wants to know if you are the right person for the job, and you want to know if this is the right job for you.
Have your own questions ready.
2.
Be suspicious of your first impressions, especially if they are glowing.
If the person interviewing you is so charming you would buy whatever she's selling or tell her anything she wants to know, slow down.
A job interview is both a sales pitch (for the company) and an interrogation.
3.
When your inner voice talks to you, pay attention.
It's easy to ignore that sinking sensation in your stomach--your "gut reaction.
" But the body never lies.
If you need this job, you can talk yourself into anything.
Pay attention to the messages between the lines, the others person's body language, everything from over-eagerness to signs of lack of interest.
4.
Take time to get the feel of your workspace.
Be sure to see where you will work.
Places have energy.
Walk around; touch things; check the lighting and the ambiance.
Picture it with your things in it.
If you can't, that's an important clue.
5.
Clarify exactly what your job responsibilities will be and how you will be evaluated.
Ask for a run down on the scope of your job and a job description if one is available.
If not, get as many details as possible.
Question everything, especially how often and by what method evaluations are conducted and how raises are determined.
6.
Ask if you will have help or if you are the whole staff.
Will you have a secretary or share a secretary? If not, will you be expected to do everything by yourself? If someone is available to help, how do you access his or her services? Ask for what you want in the way of administrative help.
7.
Check out the logistics Is there parking? Where is it? What does it cost? Who pays for it? Is that considered part of your salary? If it's in a parking garage, you will want to know how safe is it and how far it is from the building and the nearest highway.
8.
Clarify flexibility or rigidity of rules (starting and ending times, lunch), especially when you are a salaried employee.
How much leeway is there in the rules? If you are a manager, will you have flexibility in starting and ending times, lunch hours, or working late? You will want to know how much structure there is and how that structure applies to your position.
If the leash seems inappropriately tight for the position, question it.
9.
If possible (it rarely is), ask your predecessor why he or she quit.
This is, of course, a fantasy.
If I you could meet the person who inhabited your job and your workspace, he would probably not tell you why he left.
He undoubtedly would have said something about a better offer or a great career opportunity.
He would not have confided that he was overworked and underappreciated.
10.
Find out if there are any little perks no one has mentioned.
Sometimes there are extras--an unusually great benefit package, a membership in the neighborhood "Y," bonuses for a job well done, or personal days.
Be sure to ask about them.
The best preparation for a job interview is to think through in advance the 100 questions an interviewer might ask and have your own questions written out and ready.
Don't wing it; there is too much riding on the interaction.