What could make a candidate turn down their dream job?

Unfortunately, it happens more often than most people realize. Consider this example: We worked with a candidate who was offered a leadership position with a company known for its excellent culture and growth opportunities. The role offered significant career advancement and included an attractive salary and relocation package. It was everything the candidate had been looking for. However, after receiving the offer, he realized that the local schools did not meet his family’s expectations.

In this case, the candidate simply hadn’t considered the realities of relocating a family to a new city earlier in the process. As a result, he had to say “no” to his dream opportunity for the sake of his family — and the company had to start the search process all over again.

Deciding to change jobs, especially if a relocation is involved, can be complicated and overwhelming. After all, there’s a lot to consider: the candidate’s individual personal and professional goals, their financial status and aspirations, the timing of a change, their family’s needs and desires, and more.

So, what questions should candidates ask themselves before they start the job search process and before engaging with specific companies to ensure that at every step, they’re making confident and informed decisions? We asked three of our experts (Heavy Civil Division Executive Vice President David Goodrum, Mechanical & Electrical Division Executive Vice President Zack Jaynes, and Renewable Energy Division Market Leader Kelby Shope) for their unique perspectives, and here’s what they suggested:

Before You Start the Search...

If you’re considering making a career change, there are some questions you should ask before you start the earliest stages of the search.

1. Why am I considering making a career move?
   There are a lot of reasons someone might consider changing jobs. Some of the most common motivations we hear from candidates include a change in culture at their current employer, a corporate restructuring or acquisition, a lack of growth opportunities, work that isn’t challenging or fulfilling, and a value misalignment between the candidate and the company or their managers. Keeping in mind your reasons for wanting a change is really important throughout the search process, since it can keep you centered and motivated, even when the process gets stressful and challenging.
   
   While compensation is often a factor in a candidate deciding to change jobs, it should never be the only or primary reason for making a change. If you’re dissatisfied with your current pay rate, there are plenty of steps to take before looking for a new job. Have you asked for a raise or discussed benefits or other compensation factors with your manager? If you have asked and you were denied the raise, make sure that you’re fully committed to making a change before you jump into the job market. Even if your current employer offers the raise in a counteroffer negotiation, the truth is that it’s never in your best interest to accept; commit to making the best decision for your career, and move forward confidently.
2. If I’m generally happy where I am, have I made every effort to meet my goals within my current employer?
   Compensation isn’t the only problem that can be addressed by having an open, honest conversation with your manager. If you like where you work but have a few concerns (for example, about opportunities for growth or the complexity of projects you’re currently being assigned), start by initiating a conversation with the company leaders to determine if there’s a solution. Keep in mind that no job is perfect! So ask yourself what aspects of your current job you do enjoy, and consider whether you’re potentially willing to sacrifice those positives for new opportunities that meet other needs or desires you have.
3. Is the timing right?
   If you know that leaving your current job is the right decision, it’s still important to decide if leaving now is the best option. For example, if you resign within weeks, will you be forfeiting an annual bonus? One candidate we worked with knew he wanted a new role, but decided to stay where he was for the time being because his wife was pregnant with their second child and a career change would have been too stressful for the family. Other candidates might have kids in high school whose education they don’t want to disrupt. While changing jobs is always going to be stressful, thinking carefully about the timing can help you make sure you’re making the choice that is the most beneficial to you overall.
4. Do I have my spouse and family’s buy-in?
   Making a career change is hard enough when you’re single — but if you have a spouse and a family, you also have to consider how a major change will affect their lifestyle, stability, and future plans. Before you decide to make a career change, discuss the potential implications and impacts with your spouse or partner. Make sure you’re on the same page about the benefits of a new job and the challenges you might face as a family, and consider what resources and systems might be available to you to help you adjust to potential changes. Then, you can move forward together in the process as a team.
5. Do I have a strong support system, including mentors, colleagues, and friends, to help me navigate this career transition?
   Even outside of your family, having a strong support network in your life can make the job search process much more efficient and less stressful. From the earliest stages of your search, you can seek advice or input from trusted advisors or industry professionals to help inform your decisions. The more support and encouragement you have, the more confident and informed you can be as you navigate the job market.

Before You Start to Interview...

When it comes to the following questions, the earlier in the process you think them through, the better. However, it’s especially important to have answers to these questions before you engage in any conversations with recruiters or prospective companies. Backing out during the interview process or turning down an offer at the last second can leave you feeling disappointed or regretful, but it can also cause frustration to the hiring manager who committed time and money to the process and now has to start all over again. By carefully considering these questions early on, you can ensure that you’re respecting everyone’s time and effort.

6. What are my financial goals and expectations?
   As mentioned previously, compensation shouldn’t be the only reason to make a career change. But it is an important consideration in such a big decision. Consider your current compensation package — from base salary to bonuses, equity, benefits, and anything else that you earn in your role. Decide what’s most important to you and what your financial goals are for your next role. For example, are you looking for a raise, or are you open to making a lateral move for more exciting projects, a better location, or a stronger work-life balance?
   
   Make sure to consider all the financial implications of making a move, including potential relocation costs or changes in benefits. And make sure to think long term — if you stay in your current role, what do your financial growth prospects look like, compared with leaving for new opportunities?
7. What are my top priorities in a new role?
   Now that you’ve gotten a strong idea of your motivations and goals for making a career change, you can start to think more specifically about individual job opportunities. As we’ve said, no job is perfect, so make a list of the things that matter most to you with respect to your career development, personal life, and financial considerations. Keep them in mind as you pursue opportunities, and closely compare any prospective opportunity to the list.
   
   For example, consider how a specific job opportunity could impact your work-life balance and overall well-being. Will you have the flexibility and support you need to manage personal and family commitments? Will a new role provide opportunities for learning and skill development? Does the potential company’s culture and environment support professional growth and advancement? If you know what’s most important to you and your family, you’ll know which questions are most important to ask during the interview process.
8. Do I have any potential deal-breakers in a new opportunity?
   Consider the candidate in our first example, who ultimately had to turn down his dream job because the local school systems weren’t what he and his family wanted for their children. Like him, you might also have deal-breakers that are important to know about and communicate up front. You might be unable to relocate, or unwilling to relocate to specific areas. You might need an area with strong school systems, an affordable cost of living, or plenty of job opportunities for your spouse.
   
   It’s also very important to consider deal-breakers you might have with specific companies. If you’re interested in a role, ask yourself: Does the company’s mission, values, and ethical standards align with my personal and professional values?
9. What risks or challenges might come with this career move, and how can I mitigate them?
   Making a career change can come with plenty of benefits, including promotions, raises, and opportunities for exciting new projects. However, they can also come with risks and challenges, from leaving the comfort of a job and company you know well, to starting at square one with benefit accruals, and many things in between.
   
   Carefully consider not only the opportunities but also the challenges a new role would present, and which aspects excite or concern you the most. For example, how might this move impact your professional network, reputation, or future opportunities? Then, think through options for solving or mitigating the effects of any problems you foresee. Not every challenge needs to be a negative or a deal-breaker, but it is important to identify and think about them during your decision-making process.
10. What will your contribution be to the company?
    Meaningful work is one of the most important contributors to employee engagement and well-being. When you consider a career opportunity, take time to think not just about what impact the role would have on you — but what impact you can have on the company. Are you confident that you can make a meaningful contribution and positive impact within the organization? Have you researched the company’s long-term plans and aspirations, and can you envision yourself supporting those plans and aspirations? In short, can you picture a future at the company where you feel fulfilled, productive, and significant to their overall success?

Deciding to make a career change can feel exciting and overwhelming, stressful and full of possibility. By asking yourself these ten questions and revisiting them throughout the entire process, you can help ensure that you pursue the best opportunities to support your short- and long-term goals. This preparation allows you to communicate your priorities to prospective employers, avoid disappointments and wasted time, and focus on pursuing roles that truly fit your career aspirations.

***We are grateful to David Goodrum, Zack Jaynes, and Kelby Shope for contributing their unique perspectives to this article.