This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Don’t try to make yourself the “right” fit for the “wrong” company
If you ask enough of the right questions at the beginning of an interview, you’ll quickly know if the company is the right fit for you.
There have been interviews less than a minute in, and I could tell it wouldn’t be a good fit.
Learn how to read people and increase your emotional intelligence to help you become more skilled at doing this.
Want To Work Remotely?
You might desire to work remotely.
Does the company offer remote work?
If not, you can quickly communicate the misalignment after confirming this question.
But let’s say you need interview practice; completing the interview will only help you improve.
Getting Cut Off
You might desire to experience a warm and thoughtful culture.
Does your interviewer cut you off every time you ask thoughtful questions?
Their excuse might be they’re trying to get through a formal “list of questions” without any natural deviation, which is not always a worthy excuse.
It speaks volumes about a company when the conversation is a natural ebb and flow.
Remember that you’re interviewing the company as much as they’re interviewing you; it’s far from being a one-sided situation.
Suppose your interviewer doesn’t let you get in any questions or makes you wait until the end to ask a single question. In that case, that means they might not care about how you feel as a human being and how you feel about the company, and they primarily only want to see if you’re a good fit for them.
Furthermore, it can indicate that the company/team might be rigid, lacks domain knowledge to think of their own questions, or doesn’t know how to communicate and implement emotional intelligence effectively.
Once The Interview Commences
When you start an interview and are already hesitant about if there is alignment, ask some key questions to get clarity.
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You might get surprising answers that inspire you to move forward or questions that justify your hesitation.
It’s not rude to end an interview early; if anything, it’s respectful.
Both parties get time back, and the company can continue its search sooner than later.
Don’t feel bad, but communicate you’re reasoning respectfully and concisely.
Don’t Try To Make A Company Fit
Once you get established in your career, you don’t have to settle for any company.
You can get picky.
Or, if you’re financially established early on in your career, you can be picky from the start, which is a significant privilege.
Too many people try to make themselves, their preferences, and their personalities fit the wrong companies instead of continuing to search for the right ones.
The less desperate you are, the more solid-fitting opportunities you will find and attract.
People tend to approach the job market with a lack mentality and think jobs are scarce and it’s always tough to find a job; this is a mindset.
Shifting your mindset will shift your outcomes.
I don’t believe in job scarcity, and neither should you.
There’s always a perfect fit if you’re willing to put in the work and find it. 🙂
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This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.