Karen Chopra knows all about the dangers of "first-offer-itis." It's a condition in which job seekers itch to take the first position they are offered, said the Washington, D.C.-based career counselor. And in this time of high unemployment, more people are inclined to do just that. But rather than letting her clients succumb, Chopra will discuss a job's pros and cons with them to figure out how much they like the job versus how much they just don't want to keep job hunting.
"Most people hate the job search," she said. "It's an anxiety-producing time. But there are real dangers to taking a job that is not a good fit." If you're in a job you dislike you may suffer from career burnout and not perform well. And if you leave the job after a few months, you'll have to explain a short stint on your resume. While there can be a tremendous amount of pressure to rejoin the ranks of the gainfully employed, experts recommend that job seekers try to avoid desperation.