by: Joanne Meehl

Dialog is a new blog series that spotlights a short part of a session between a private client and myself, focusing on particular job search or career advice.

Client: Male, 50, Logistics and Supply Chain Manager

Client says, as he shows me a job posting on his laptop: "This job at is exactly like the one I have, so it would be perfect for me!"

Me: "Really? You really want the same thing, the very same thing?"

Client: "Hey, I'm good at it. (laughs) They'd consider me an expert right away!"

Me: "You've said you would like to grow in your career, have continual challenge. That you would hate to get bored. If it's identical to your current job, what is the challenge?

Client: "Yes.but right now, after realizing job search is harder than I expected, it seems so easy to just slip into a job I know so well.."

Me: "I get it. It's not easy. But I have to ask: After those first few weeks on this job, if you go for it and get it, what would challenge you? What new things would you be learning?

"And what would a potential employer after that job think - 'Why did he take a job so much like the one he had right before it -- was he afraid of a new challenge?' "

Client is thinking, and quiet. He says, "And I'd be concerned about not learning new skills, and having that next employer overlook me." I nod. He scrolls through the job description again, then says: "I do want to think long-term. I don't just want to take anything. Those are good points. I have some other ads to review. And as you know, I'm networking. So I'll put this one aside for now."

He decides not to go for that job, and applies his energy and time in his search to other prospective employers.

The message: The long-term negatives of sticking with only what you already know can harm your career. Challenging yourself by getting uncomfortable learning new things will increase your value.

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Stay tuned for other Dialogs with Joanne Meehl in this space.