3 Crucial Questions to Ask Yourself Before Jumping Into a Job Search

By Nick Reiter | October 7, 2022

If you’re considering joining the Great Resignation, it’s no secret that you have your pick of jobs. The U.S. has 11.3 million openings right now, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, and a lot of people are job hopping to find a better work-life balance, earn higher pay and transition into a new industry.

But before you jump into the job search, it’s important to figure out what matters most to you in a new job by asking yourself a few crucial questions.

The job search is like dating, Jacqueline Mitchell, a career and life coach at her own consulting firm, tells CNBC Make It.

“This is a relationship that you’re getting into. If you don’t know what type of relationship you want, and you go out there seeking a relationship, you’re going to get offered so many different things that don’t align with your values,” Mitchell says.

Much like going on a bad first date, there will be bad first interviews or recruiter screenings gone awry if you don’t know what you are looking for in your next job.

Common job search advice can include researching the company and preparing for frequently-asked interview questions, like ‘Why do you want to work here?’ or ‘Can you tell me more about yourself?’ But Mitchell says these are some of the most important questions to ask yourself before applying to jobs.