Why Looking for the Perfect Job May Be Your Biggest Career Mistake

Why Looking for the Perfect Job May Be Your Biggest Career Mistake Most people who have been in the workforce for more than a decade have done their fair share of job hopping. Its leid uncommon to grow out of a role or to seek different opportunities at a new employer if youre feeling less than satisfied with your daily grind.But for Mandi Damman, Chief Engineer for Autonomous Vehicles at General Motors, that hasnt been necessary. She began zu sichbei career at the company in 2003 when she was just 18 years old, and while shes shifted gears 10 times throughout her tenure, shes still at GM today.GM is Hiring Browse Opportunities.If I could describe why Ive stayed at GM for so many years, in one word, it would be opportunity, Damman says. From moving to a new department every three months as a student to working in shock tuning trailers one day and managing a $200M budget the next, GM has offered so many unique experiences and taken a chance on me time and time again.I joke that every time I start to get comfortable in a role, a new opportunity presents itself, she adds. That suits my personality well and has continually challenged me since the day I started.Its no surprise that Damman has felt continually supported and satisfied throughout her 15 years at GM. The companys known for having incredible women leaders most notably Mary Barra, who, as GMs Chairman and CEO, is the first woman to lead the auto industry and for offering effective development programs and employee resource groups for women.Damman notes that the companys focus on development through mentoring has been a real game-changer in her career. Today, shes responsible for the execution of GMs first autonomous vehicle, but she started out as a co-op student, having been recruited through GMs on-campus recruiting efforts. In this first position, Damman rotated through various 3-month Product Development assignments. She explains how she climbed the ranks I was assigned a mentor my very first day as a co-op student and quickly realized how valuable they are for navigating a workplace, especially in a big company like GM. Ive been fortunate to have several other mentors throughout the years, both formally and informally, male and female.Two of my most challenging assignments to date were recommended by one of my longtime mentors (and former bosses), and if it werent for his guidance, I know I wouldnt be where I am today, she adds.In addition to having great mentors and an extensive amount of on-the-job training, Damman credits her success to GMs flexibility. While working full time, she was able to get her Masters in Engineering, complete multiple levels of advanced drivers training, and even participate in Disney Institute professional development training at Disney World.Other highlights, she says, have been attending an offsite General Motors womens leadership boot camp and traveling around the country on a 6-week dealership assignment.The visibility of GMs product has also helped stir Dammans passion at work. Ever since then Ive been focusing on the customers their safety as the top priority and doing everything we can to ensure we exceed their expectations when they drive or ride in our vehicles.She says that shes now feeling that pride and responsibility more than ever as she and her team are working to safely get autonomous vehicles on the road. General Motors is constantly changing, adapting to the world and leading the way to safer, better solutions,Damman says. And Im absolutely thrilled to be a part of it.Its clear why Damman has never felt stuck or stagnant in her career. But for those who do feel like theyre in a rut, she has some poignant advice trust your intuition and take a chance. She drills down the point that nothing is permanent, and that if we dont take risks, we may have a hard time finding our passions.Women are notorious for looking for the perfect job and only applying to those that we are completely qualified for, Damman says. If you take it and its not for you, get as much as you can out of the experience good or bad and move on.If youre beginning to realize its about time you took a new chance in your career (or if youre just plain sick of your job), youre in luck. Its an exciting time at General Motors, and the companys looking for some of the brightest minds and boldest thinkers to join them.--Fairygodboss is proud to partner with GM. Find a job there today