If You’re Waiting for the Perfect Job:
It’s Costing You Time, Money + Opportunities
Written by: Jen Warrington, Founder of The Warrington Group
Let’s get one thing straight: the ‘perfect job’ is a unicorn.
It’s a shiny lie we’ve been sold ~ thanks ‘Hollywood happy endings’, outdated career counselors still clinging to the 9-to-5 dream, + feel-good memes yelling ‘follow your passion!’ while offering absolutely zero real-life direction. It sounds inspiring, but it’s just another excuse to stay stuck.
Looking for + then waiting for the perfect job isn’t a strategy.
It’s a stall tactic + while you're polishing your resume for the 100th time or endlessly scrolling through job boards hoping the stars will align, life is happening.
Opportunities ARE passing you by + yes ~ you’re leaving money on the table.
Let’s talk about what’s really going on.
THE MYTH OF THE PERFECT JOB
Let’s talk numbers:
Average time to find a new job is 5–6 months, according to Zippia (2024). But that time stretches significantly when candidates apply sporadically or wait for the “perfect fit.”
A 2023 LinkedIn study found that 84% of professionals say they’ve passed on applying for a role because they didn’t meet 100% of the qualifications ~ even though 70% of hiring managers said they’d be open to someone who meets most but not all. (MASSIVE DISCONNECT HERE)
+ here’s a mind-blowing statistic that hits my point home ~ the average salary increase when switching jobs is 14.8%, per ADP. That’s real money people miss out on when they hesitate.
Do the math right now~ what is 14.8% of your current salary + what would that extra bump look like on your paycheque?
I’ll wait ;)
Now add this: every month you spend hesitating is a month you don’t gain experience, earn income, build momentum, or move forward in your career. Multiply that by 6–12 months and you’re looking at a massive opportunity cost+ potentially loss.
No job is 100% perfect.
Every role ~ yes, even your dream one ~ comes with trade-offs. Some jobs will light up your creativity but pay less. Others will come with a killer salary + benefits package but have less flexibility or a steeper learning curve.
Yet, so many career seekers get stuck in the trap of thinking:
“I’ll know it when I see it.”
“I just need to wait a little longer until the right job shows up.”
“This job is great, but it’s not perfect, so I’ll pass.”
This thinking doesn’t just slow you down ~ it stalls your career.
WHAT IT’S REALLY COSTING YOU
Let’s call it what it is: career perfectionism or as I prefer to call it ‘you playing small’. It shows up as:
Obsessively reading job descriptions but never applying.
Worrying that if you take the “wrong” job, you’ll derail your future.
Thinking you need one more certification, degree, or LinkedIn update before you're "ready".
Saying “I’m just not sure what I want yet,” + using that as a reason to not act.
All are bs…..100% bs.
You can’t derail your future…additional education doesn’t always help (this is field/industry dependent) + if you aren’t sure what you want, it’s time to get sure.
Here’s the truth: Clarity doesn’t come from thinking ~ it comes from action.
So What Should You Be Doing Instead?
If you want results, here’s where to focus:
1. Define What “Good Enough” Looks Like ~ for Now
Stop trying to predict your forever job, which by the way doesn’t exist anymore. Instead, define what would make a role worth pursuing in the next 3-5 years. Think in terms of:
Skills you want to use or build.
Type of leadership or mentorship you want.
Lifestyle or flexibility needs.
Compensation that meets your current goals.
You're allowed to evolve ~ in fact, it’s mandatory + unavoidable.
Give yourself permission to move forward, even if it’s not “perfect.”
2. Audit Your Non-Negotiables vs. Nice-to-Haves
Be honest with yourself: what really matters + what’s just noise?
If you're holding out for a role that checks every box ~ including “team offsites in Portugal” + “boss who meditates before 1:1s” ~ you’re likely self-sabotaging.
Self sabotage is a different conversation all together (so stay tuned!)
3. Start Applying Before You Feel Ready
If you're waiting to feel 100% confident, you’ll be waiting forever. Most confidence is built after we take the leap ~ not before.
Use the 70% rule: If you meet 70% of the qualifications, go for it.
4. Talk to People Instead of Scrolling Job Boards
Networking isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a shortcut to clarity + hidden opportunities.
According to HubSpot, 85% of jobs are filled via networking.
Don’t sleep on coffee chats, voice notes, or simple LinkedIn DMs.
5. Build the Role You Want (Even If It Doesn’t Exist Yet)
If nothing out there feels right, make your own magic. That could mean:
Pitching a freelance or contract role.
Exploring a bridge role that gets you closer to your long-term goal.
Creating a personal brand around your expertise.
There’s more opportunity out there than what job boards will show you.
Here’s the Real Risk
When you wait for the “perfect” job, you:
Delay earning potential + financial stability.
Lose momentum, which kills your confidence.
Miss out on valuable skills + connections you could’ve built.
Stay stuck, convincing yourself you’re being selective when really, you’re just scared.
+ that’s not a judgment ~ it’s normal, human behaviour but it’s also something we can change.
HERE’S WHY YOUR STUCK IN CAREER LIMBO
+ HOW WE’RE GOING TO FIX IT
THE BOTTOM LINE
The perfect job? Doesn’t exist.
But the right next move? That does + it’s waiting for you to stop hesitating, start acting, + trust that your career is a series of chapters, not a one-time destination.
You don’t need the dream job to build the dream life. You need clarity, confidence + a plan to take action.
So stop waiting. Start moving
🎧 Want to go deeper?
Tune into this episode of The Career Fuel Podcast for a straight-up breakdown of how clarity changes everything.
📓 Ready to take action?
Grab the Career Clarity Journal ~ it walks you through the exact questions I use with my private clients inside Career Accelerator to help them get unstuck FAST.