Are you focusing on push factors or pull factors in your job search?
If you’ve ever read Doctor Dolittle, you may remember the fantastical Pushmi-Pullyu—a two-headed llama-like creature that can walk in two directions at once. It’s a funny image, but it also makes a great metaphor for the way many of us approach career transitions.
In any job hunt, there are always push factors and pull factors at work.
Push factors are the things that make you want to leave where you are now:
*You don’t like the work.
*The environment doesn’t feel right.
*Your supervisor is difficult.
*You’re not getting the responsibility you want.
*The commute is brutal.
Pull factors, on the other hand, are the things that draw you toward a new opportunity:
*A chance for promotion or more responsibility.
*Exposure to a different type of work.
*A role that allows you to work with clients or industries you find more engaging.
*For many lawyers, the opportunity to go in-house and work for one client is a big pull factor.
In my experience, it is often the push factors that get attorneys to take that first step and go on interviews. A bad boss, lack of advancement, or the daily grind can provide the jolt that makes someone finally open up LinkedIn or take a recruiter’s call.
But when it comes time to sit across the table from a hiring partner or general counsel, you need to pivot and focus on the pull factors.
Employers want to hire people who are excited about them. Saying “I’ve heard great things about your company and want to work more with clients in the life sciences” is a lot more compelling than “I need to get away from my supervisor.”
It’s a bit like dating—no one wants to hear about all the reasons you broke up with your ex. What they do want to hear is why you’re excited about the person sitting across from you.
So, as you navigate your own career crossroads, remember the Pushmi-Pullyu. Let the push factors get you moving, but when you’re interviewing, let the pull factors lead the way.