It's That Time of Year Again!

Dear Stephen,

It's that time of year again! I'm a sales rep for a manufacturer in the Southwest. All is going well at work. I'm above my sales goal and anticipate a 2025 commission bonus that I'll get sometime in Q1 2026. Great boss, great company. Yet, I feel almost too complacent. Here's why...

Recruiters like you start writing me through LinkedIn about job opportunities at other companies around this time of year. Or, I hear about jobs at other manufacturers from dealers I call on who recommend me. My first inclination has always been the same—ignore any interviews or thoughts about "looking." Like I said, I have a good job.

Then, suddenly, I remember what happens to me in about the middle of the following year, which is I end up regretting not taking the time to explore my options back in December. Even though my job is great now, something always changes in the new year—maybe I have a fight with my boss, my goal goes up, new people hired who take over some of my valuable accounts, or maybe even my company was bought by private equity or another manufacturer! Next thing you know, it's July and hiring across the board isn't as fever-pitched as it was between Q4 and Q1. In fact, it's stagnant.

My concern is always that once I stick my toe in the water by taking a first interview—I think I'll ultimately alienate the recruiter and the hiring company if I don't take the job or move forward with the interview process afterwards. I'm also very concerned about confidentiality because I like my job and I know my boss would be more than offended to find out I've been interviewing.

As you can see, I'm nervous about this for a number of reasons but, on the other hand, I'm worried that if I keep telling people no, sooner or later, they're going to stop calling me. What's your advice?

Signed,

One Foot In

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Dear One Foot,

You've described a ritual that does happen every year around this time and continues through the first quarter of the following year. There's quite a bit of turnover because a lot of people quit their jobs (leaving the boss surprised!) and just as many people are fired (the employee is always shocked!), so expect many calls about job opportunities during this season. Bottom line is Q4 and Q1 are the best time to be looking at what's out there.

My career advice to everyone and anyone who gets calls from a recruiter or by a company directly, or is recommended to a job, is that you should always listen because taking an interview is not the same thing as taking a job. Not even close.

Here is the lesson: more than half of all people that go on interviews tell me that they find out the grass is not always greener where they interviewed. Which helps them appreciate their current job even more. They are then very glad, in the end, that they went on the interview because that reason alone is a reason to take almost any interview—you learn what it's like at other companies.

What's important, however, is that if you do go on an interview, be sure your attitude is enthusiastic and attentive. You don't want to be self-important or distracted seeming. You always want to put your best foot forward and make a good impression. Reason being, you may pass on that job that you are interviewing for, but the boss you interview with may be at a different company in the future and you are building your network.

By the way, it feels great to go on an interview and not be interested in the job. You leave flattered that the company was interested in you, you get to pass on an attractive opportunity (which is always good energy and momentum for your career) and you go back to work feeling desired. There's just no downside. The more that you interview, the better you get at presenting your strengths and accomplishments and the more in-demand you become as a worker. You're not interviewing inauthentically, so don't worry about passing. It's not like you're going there just because you want to say no to someone. But it's nice to be able to say no. It means that you like the job that you have.

On another note, don't worry about turning off a recruiter or a company. In fact, saying no will give them the opposite impression—they'll see you as a valuable asset that any company would be lucky to have. I assure you, they will call you back if you decline an opportunity. I would!

You mention something that's worth thinking about—what if your boss finds out you went on an interview? Most of the time they'll understand that you're just testing the waters, seeing what's out there like they would do, and you might get a raise out of it. Sometimes, if they're the retribution type, it may be awkward for a while, but they'll get over it. In either case, you'll have a chance to see another side of their personality. For better or for worse, never let the fear of getting caught stop you or you will be at the same job forever!

Another important thing to be aware of:

More than half of the people who lose their job in the Q4-Q1 time period tell me they were surprised that they were fired. It's not always performance related, it could be a change in management, or company financials. Maybe the company was sold or merged. But the sad fact is that most of these people were caught off guard and are now out of work. So, you should always have your resume up to date, and almost never say no to an interview—again, minimally, it's a networking opportunity for you.

A common occurrence is that I'll get a call from a person I had initially called about an interview, and they said "no." Then suddenly they lost their job, they tell me that they regret not going on the interview and ask if that same job is still open. I feel bad when I have to tell them I already filled the position.

Even though it's the holiday season and your mind might be elsewhere, if someone calls you for an interview, take it. There's no downside.

Signed,

Stephen