Be Your Own Defender
The job is not yours until you sign a contract.
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In 2019, Jade landed a temporary data analyst role.
It was the perfect fit, and she felt comfortable on the job,
A few months later, Jade heard the role would soon be made permanent. She was thrilled. After all, she had been doing the job for over six months and knew the work inside out.
But company policy required the position to be advertised. That meant other candidates could apply too.
Jade was invited to interview. She prepared and felt confident. She knew she had the advantage of experience and expected the process to be a formality.
The interview came and went quickly. She waited eagerly for the good news.
Days later, the message arrived that she wasn’t successful. The organisation had chosen another candidate.
Jade suddenly found herself finishing her tasks and preparing to look for a new job.
She went from employed to unemployed overnight.
It’s a sad but common story.
Acting in a role does not automatically make it yours.
Here’s what I tell professionals in similar situations.
1. Give It Your Best Shot
If you are interviewing for a role in your current company, don’t assume it’s yours just because you are already doing the work.
Prepare as if you were an external applicant.
I have seen many internal candidates lose roles to outsiders because they became too comfortable.
They assumed familiarity would win the day.
Sometimes it doesn’t work out that way.
Every interview deserves your full preparation.
2. Keep Going
You don’t have a job until you have an offer and a signed contract.
Don’t pause your job search because you have been invited to an interview.
Don’t pause because you have just had an interview.
Keep applying.
Keep networking.
Keep moving.
3. Be Your Own Defender
Employers will choose whoever performs best at the interview.
Even if you have worked hard in the role, there may be stronger candidates.
That’s why you must look after yourself.
Don’t assume loyalty guarantees security.
Keep your options open and be your own defender.
Closing Thoughts
The job search journey can be unpredictable.
If you are acting in a role and it’s up for permanency, give it your best.
But remember:
The job is not yours until you have signed the contract.
Whenever You Are Ready, Here Are Other Ways I Can Help You Advance Your Career:
Need career mentoring to land a data analyst role? Apply for the Data Analyst Career Accelerator Program.
Need quick career guidance? Book a call and speak to me one-on-one.
Banji Alo
Their priorities, not Jade's. No matter how invested, dedicated, loyal you are: any temporary role is their priorities, not yours. The trick is to know your own priorities [in Jade's case a permanent position], and pursue them regularly [as in point 2]. Easier said than done, perhaps.