This week I turned down my first job offer and I think it was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. The job was one that I wanted, the pay was good (well…at least for a Marketing major), but the location was all wrong for me at this time in my life.

The job required me to move to Dallas…how do you make a decision when everything else is right but the location is just not for you? I had one week to make up my mind. Do I move all the way across the country and take this job position that I knew I would have liked? Or do I stay here and continue my never-ending job search for another opportunity to come knocking on my door?

When I got the job offer, I cried. That should have been sign #1 to me that I wasn’t ready for this move. But regardless of how unappealing Dallas felt for me, I still wasn’t able to let go of the job offer that quickly. When I thought I had made up my mind, I would think of another reason to go or vice versa…another reason to stay and not take the job. I seemed to be caught in a battle with myself — having completely no idea what to do.

I asked everyone around me for advice…most of the responses I got were, “You really have to make this decision for yourself. Do what is best for you and make sure you have no regrets!” I understood all this, but how do you just do that so easily?! The answer is…YOU DON’T. The decision to not take your first job opportunity is difficult. You don’t want to let go of it because then you are stuck still searching, no idea when the next job will come along. But at the same time, if you take it…the job search is done and you can breathe for a little while!

My brother finally put things into perspective for me. After constantly sending my family e-mails and asking for advice, this is what he said (and possibly this advice can help some of you that are struggling with the same type of decisions):

You have to do what feels right for you really. If it doesn’t feel right to move across the country, then you shouldn’t do it, regardless of the job. It will only backfire on you to be unhappy somewhere and you will only want to come home. The job is one thing, a pretty important thing at that, but it’s not everything. I have no doubt that you will get a job if you don’t take this opportunity.

If it doesn’t feel right to you, in your gut to move, then you shouldn’t do it. You have to be happy and if you like your job, but you are unhappy outside of that, then what’s the point? Conversely, if you hate your job, but you like your life outside of work, you won’t be completely happy either. Nothing is ever perfect, but whatever you do will be the right thing and be sure you make the decision and move forward - you cannot think about “what ifs” and you can’t look back. Everything happens for a reason and if you choose to stay local and continue your job search, then that was the right decision.

I’m not trying to talk you out of taking it, but YOU are the only one that can make the decision and you have to feel comfortable with it. You don’t want to take the job and then regret it everyday until you move. You want to be excited about it, not scared of it.

So, with that said, if taking the job will make you excited - I say go for it. But, if it leaves you sad, politely decline, tell them you love the company and would love an opportunity in the Boston area, but you’re just not ready for that kind of move. And, if you decline, move forward, keeping working hard at your job search and the right job for you will come.

The e-mail left me in tears of course! I knew he was right. I couldn’t accept a job that I would be counting down the days until I had to leave and move to Dallas. He ended the e-mail with a quote from Yoda: “Make the right decision, you will.”

So I made my decision and declined the job. I try not to think about it anymore, I know that there is no turning back and only moving forward from here. I hope this advice from me and my brother may help some other people that are feeling the same job uncertainty and are looking for some answers!! Also, don’t forget to check out our Geezeo career groups…maybe some advice/postings can help you there as well!