THE JOB MARKET IS NOT YOUR FRIEND: LEARNING TO ADJUST YOUR JOB EXPECTATIONS

EXPECTATIONS VS REALITY

Last year, I had opportunities, plenty of them, offers came through, calls were made, interviews scheduled and yet, I said no, not because they weren’t good, but because they didn’t meet the expectations I had built in my head. I was in a comfortable phase of my life and I felt I could afford to wait. I believed in my worth, in the idea that better options would come if I held out.

I even had conversations with people about my job expectations. I said, confidently, that half a million naira and above was what I could settle for. I remember a friend laughing at me, I’m sure you laughed too lol and at that moment, I didn’t understand why. In my head, I was too good not to be offered such pay. What I didn’t consider then was the reality of a system where connections often matter as much as competence. Being “good enough” is not always enough, especially in a country where who you know can sometimes outweigh what you know.

Now, sitting in a different place, I realize life has a way of changing the rules. The comfort I once had has shifted and suddenly, the idea of settling doesn’t feel like defeat, it feels like survival, practicality and even growth in a different sense.

This shift is not about lowering standards; it’s about adjusting expectations to reality. Last year, I wanted everything perfect; the salary, the flexibility, the benefits, the company culture. This year, I realize that work is work, skills are gained, experience is earned and even opportunities that don’t seem ideal at first can teach you lessons money can’t buy.

It’s a humbling process; you start to weigh practicality over preference. You consider what’s sustainable, what will keep you moving forward and what will allow you to keep your dignity while paying your bills. Settling, in this sense, is not giving up, it’s choosing a path that’s available now, rather than waiting indefinitely for the perfect door to open.

Settling shouldn’t mean staying in a place that stunts growth or affects your mental health. It’s about taking the opportunities that exist while continuing to plan, grow and look for the next step. Life doesn’t always hand out options that match your dreams perfectly, but sometimes, it hands you experiences that shape you into the person who can eventually create those dreams for yourself.

For anyone struggling with the same dilemma; it’s okay to adjust your expectations. It’s okay to prioritize security, stability, or experience over ideals. What’s important is that you keep moving, keep learning and keep preparing yourself for better opportunities, even if they don’t look exactly like what you imagined.

In the end, getting a job isn’t always about landing the perfect position, it’s about finding a place to start, grow and keep moving forward and sometimes, letting go of perfection is the first step toward progress.