Are you looking for a new job but don’t quite know what you’re looking for? The three most important factors in accepting a new job are compensation, professional development, and a better work/life balance. But before you can even consider those factors and accept the position, there’s one more thing you must do: accept an interview for the job.

At NewConfig, we pair applicants with companies that will be a great fit for them, so you never have to worry about having your time wasted by companies beneath your level. All you have to do is wait for an interview offer. And then accept it.

You see, some passive job seekers, when offered a job interview, decline the offer—so, naturally, they’re not offered the job. It’s the “you miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take” concept, and it really is a mistake, especially when the potential employer is offering you more money, more skill development, more leadership opportunities, or all of the above. Accepting a job interview is never a bad move because it helps you expand your professional network, can lead to a new career, and helps you develop vital soft skills.

You have nothing to lose when you accept an interview offer. Even if you end up not being offered a job, you’ve expanded your professional network. How? By definition, a professional network is a group of people who have connected with each other through business and are able to help each other advance their careers. Sounds like the type of people you meet in a job interview, yes?

By fully embracing the opportunity to interview, you can glean insider information in the field, make a good impression on industry experts (who may later be able to put in a good word for you), get tips on how to improve your resume and interview skills, cross-sell, or even help a friend with their career goals, all of which are natural benefits of building a professional network.

No matter your industry, you need to know the right people to advance your career. At NewConfig, we have an expansive business network because we proactively expand it, and a team of seasoned interview staffing experts who are passionate about helping our clients understand the value of interviews. They can assist you in taking those first steps in building your own network—steps that include interviewing.

Now, we know what you’re thinking: Why would I want to start a career at a company I don’t even want to interview at? There’s a reason I’m not interested in interviewing there.

That may be true, and maybe you have a good reason for not wanting to interview. But consider the possibility that you really don’t know enough about a company to make a judgment call until you go in and meet with them. Our interview staffing experts can walk you through what questions to ask and how to work with a panel of interviewers to determine a good fit.

Adrian Granzella Larssen, a business content expert, tells the story of when she was offered an interview for a job that she thought sounded pretty boring. She wasn’t excited about it, but she was qualified, so she accepted, sure the place was going to “suck.”

“But you know what? It didn’t suck—not even a little bit,” she says. “In fact, the office was gorgeous, the people who worked there were awesome, and the company had a fun, startupy vibe that I loved. The position was right up my alley—and if I had blown the interview off, I would have missed out on the opportunity.”

If you accept an interview at a place you’re not interested in, you might just stumble upon a hidden gem and launch a new career.

Being adventurous and motivated are two vital characteristics for anyone who wants to succeed in the business world. When you’re offered an interview at a company that would bring you better pay, better benefits, and a better position, that’s a chance to be adventurous by facing the unknown and be motivated by the promise of a better career.

At NewConfig, we offer you a conversation with an interview staffing expert, after which you can make up your mind about what the best move is for you. The alternative is to give in to fear or laziness, neither of which are attributes you want to encourage in yourself.

Whether you’re a Salesforce expert, SAP expert, or Executive, NewConfig helps you advance your career by setting up interviews with great companies. These interviews can expand your network, lead to a new career, and help you develop the priceless traits of adventurousness and motivation. Remember, you have nothing lose and everything to gain, so don’t let a single offer go unaccepted.

Allow NewConfig and our interview staffing experts to be a part of your team and help guide you through those very important relationship building processes. Contact us today!