Never say no…

…to a job you haven’t been offered.

I recently commuted to a meeting with a neuroscientist who’s definitely found his passion and is winning in his career. I was surprised that he almost didn’t take his current job.

He graduated and got a great gig in Connecticut working for a lab, creating his brand in the field. One day he got a call from a university in Texas offering him a position.

He said, “No thanks.”

Then he remembered this advice from a mentor:

“Never say no to a job you haven’t been offered.”

He agreed to at least come check out the position, loved it, and has been there for nine years. It’s been a great fit and propelled his career.

You might be thinking, “Man, I’d never say no to a job offer.” Yet, most of us do this most of the time. It sounds like this:

• Education? No thanks. I don’t like kids.
• Law? Not for me. I’m not a fan of criminals.
• Non-profit? Nah. They don’t make any money.

Sweeping generalizations about a field – especially one that hasn’t even yet offered you anything – are dangerous.

You might be foreclosing an option that could actually be a great fit.

Not all lawyers argue in court, not all educators are teachers, not all non-profit workers make less than $30k a year, and whatever you think about that field probably isn’t totally, completely, and undeniably true across the board.
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Give it a chance. It may be the best move you make.