Job satisfaction in important in life! Most people spend more of their working hours at work than at home with loved ones. So while a job should never define your life, you don’t want unhappiness to spill over into the rest of your life, potentially affecting your physical health. Instead, you want a mission in life—something to get you out of bed in the morning! Something exciting to brag to your friends and family about! Here are five steps to find a career you’ll love.
Begin the self-discovery
Don’t let a lack of clarity paralyze you! Maybe you’re confused and feel pulled in a lot of different directions. Or maybe you feel like
you have no direction. It’s okay—concrete answers are not crucial at this point. Start by exploring your life, including your younger years, to determine your passions and curiosities. What fascinates you? What are you good at? What kinds of projects have you most enjoyed? Do you prefer to work independently or collaboratively? Do you need structure or can you be productive without direct instruction?
Explore careers
Look for something that aligns your passions and strengths with market demands. Search career websites and websites of desirable companies to learn more about what openings they have. What skills would you need to develop to snag those jobs? Maybe even try a few things, like internships, temping positions, or shadowing opportunities. The more time you put into self-discovery and career exploration, the better suited your job will be for your wants and needs.
Develop your brand
Consider your professional identity and how you package it. Focus on your interests, expertise, and your digital presence. Make sure your online profiles are current and unblemished. Be someone others want to work with! Fun, energetic, open to new experiences, and passionate about an industry. Keep building your resume with relevant skills, volunteer experiences, freelance work, conferences, and networking groups.
Seek advice
Find people you trust and respect who are more advanced in their careers. Make them part of your support system—don’t rely on just one person. You want a variety of perspectives and experiences. Be grateful to these people! Don’t burn them out with excessive, pestering questions. Buy coffee, meals, or gift cards to show your gratitude.
Build your network
Talk to as many people as you can and connect with key players in the industry or company you’re seeking to join. In addition to online connections, meet people face to face, particularly if they’re responsible for hiring. Learn about job opportunities and events and projects you can participate in to build your resume and keep making connections.
Keep searching and eventually, something will click. For more information on how to be prepared for the next step in your career, check out our website at https://www.chiefofstaffkc.com.
Blog written by Erin Greenhalgh