One thing I hear from many jobseekers — especially long-term unemployed jobseekers — is statements of pickiness. “It’s not what I want to do,” “It doesn’t pay me the salary I am looking for,” “I know people who do similar jobs and get much better packages.”

While it is good to look for a job that fits your requirements in terms of compensation and duties, it is also critical to get started — with some job instead of waiting for the perfect opportunity.

By having a job and being involved in a learning experience, you will be able to build your skills as well as your standing — both help you get a better, more fitting, job down the road. And based on where you’re in your career, you may be doing yourself a disservice if you prolong your period of unemployment.

So when should you compromise and take a job even if it doesn’t meet all of your requirements. Here are a few situations.

Hitting the six-month mark

If you have hit the six-month mark and your dream job seems to remain elusive, take something else. An employment gap that goes beyond six months can be a red flag for employers and actually hurt your chances of getting the job you want. Employers would wonder about your interest and employability.

In even some official estimates in the US, six months is where unemployment is considered long term. You certainly don’t want such a significant gap on your resume. So go ahead and grab an opportunity that might not be optimal, but relevant to your career. This move tells future employers that you’re flexible and more interested in staying busy and engaged than pursuing a perfect situation — in short that you’re low maintenance, motivated and keen on keeping your career growing.

In addition, taking a job could open doors in terms of meeting new people and business contacts that could help you land a better job down the road. So it is a win-win situation.

Recommended for other jobs

If you have been recommended repeatedly for jobs that don’t match what you’re looking for, take this seriously. Hiring managers and recruiters may be identifying gaps between your experience and the types of jobs you’re applying for, and their recommendations might be for jobs that better fit your skills and qualifications.

Although this might be disappointing for you if you had your heart and mind set on something higher up on the corporate ladder or pay scale, knowing where to get started is invaluable. Consider their recommendations seriously and look into those other jobs opportunities. Remember you don’t have to take a job unless you’re in the lucky position of having a job offer in hand. So do interviews and explore those opportunities in full before ruling them out as inadequate.

Some of these opportunities may be your entry position to the kind of job you’re looking for. So instead of spending months, or years, at home hoping for the dream job, get started and work your way up to it.

Early on

If you have just graduated or you’re returning to the job market after a break for childcare, illness or any other reason, be less picky. What you need is having an entry position to the job market. You need an employer who trusts that your break hasn’t impacted your productivity or knowledge of the job requirements.

Once you get this first job and you excel at it, you can move quickly to a more appropriate position that fits your ambitions. Again, prolonging the unemployment phase can only hurt you. Taking a job that you’re slightly overqualified for can be understandably frustrating, but it also sets you on the path for quick promotion and advancement. So give it a try, because that is one way you can get a chance to show an employer what you’re capable of.

A compromise or smart move?

Don’t get trapped in long-term unemployment

Take a job that is relevant even if not optimal

Listen to advise you get from recruiters

Get started with a first job to show your skills

The writer, a former Gulf News Business Features Editor, is a Seattle-based editor.