Are you aware that thousands of people are stuck in jobs they loathe? Gallup reports that nearly 79% of employees are disengaged in their current positions. They’ll give you generic reasons if you ask why they stick around. ‘It pays well,’ ‘I can’t find another one,’ or ‘Who’ll hire me at my age?’
These are some of the most common excuses people give!
Now, here is the truth;
No one deserves to suffer in their career. Working should bring joy, fulfillment, and purpose, not stress, burnout, and sadness. So, how do you find a job you love?
It’s easy; be strategic, and we’ll guide you. We understand that perhaps you were too young to know what would fit you a decade later, but there is a way out. This piece will give you five ways to find a job you love. A fulfilling career that pays well and, most importantly, gives you satisfaction and happiness.
Let’s jump right into it.
5 Steps To Find A Job You Love
Finding a job you love requires you to step back and introspect first. You should do some training to upskill or reskill to see what resonates.
Below is how you initiate this process:
Step 1: Self-Assess and Make A List
The initial step in finding the job you love is to self-assess. Go on a self-discovery quest to uncover your interests. Ponder over activities and subjects that ignite your spirit and start the research there. For example, if you find knitting fun, why not open a business selling them? Or, if you enjoy designing posters for fun, why not become a graphic designer?
Another way to self-assess is knowing your strongest suits and values.
What are some of the skills that people admire in you? Is it organization, client communication, customer service, or time management? No matter what, this can help point you toward a career and job you love.
Your value set might include finding a job that offers a work-life balance or offers opportunities to make an impact on others. Other guiding values might be financial security or autonomy, such as freelancing.
After this assessment, please list all the careers that align with your interests, strengths, and values as their job descriptions.
Step 2: Research
Before you choose a job you love:
- Take the list you just made and start research on every title.
- Use online resources like blogs, articles, and career reports to research each career.
- Ask questions on public forums to professionals already in the industry to get first-hand advice.
Ask questions based on job satisfaction, what they enjoy, and what it takes to reach their level. Sometimes, you might not have all the time to go back to school and master this skill, so ask how long the training takes.
Step 3: Get the Skills
After the assessment and research, get the skills.
Today, we’re fortunate to have the internet, a goldmine of formal and informal training. You can learn engineering, bakery, photography, and even copywriting online.
You can opt for self-training, where you can watch videos to master skills. You may also opt to go the educational way. Enroll in an institution that offers certification at the end of the classes. The latter is the best because you have the certificate to prove it.
Step 4: Gain Experience
Experience is the job market’s currency, so get it!
How?
Volunteer, intern, take part-time positions, or freelance.
These ventures can be daunting, but here is a secret: ask! Head to the company or other renowned professional profiles on LinkedIn or websites and ask. Ask if the company or the individuals could help you grow your knowledge base in the industry. These sources may allow you to gain experience or offer you referrals.
If you find asking a bit tricky, become a freelancer. Sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and other job boards host millions of beginner freelancers in multiple industries.
Step 5: Get That Job
This last step entails customizing your job search. But before you do, create a new resume and a new cover letter structure you’ll use for the latest job search. List down your newly discovered skills and experiences in these two documents.
Next, apply to job boards and company websites that match your interests and skills. While applying, ensure the companies you apply to are a perfect cultural and operational fit. Consider factors such as growth opportunities, company mission, and work environment.
Doing this last leg of research will ensure you become part of the 21% of people who love their jobs.
Bonus Step: Stay Positive
By now, you have a clear picture of your future. This is thanks to self-assessment, research, skills, and experience.
But wait, this is just the beginning!
The road on how to get a job you love can be long and sometimes discouraging. You will receive many rejections, and some of your applications will go unanswered. Don’t despair, but instead stay positive.
The global market is highly competitive, so send out another if one application does not go through! At some point, you’ll encounter a brand that needs your services. So, please stay positive, be persistent, and be patient.
At the End of The Day
When you love your job, you work at your best. A satisfactory career offers a balanced life with compensations that keep you happy. You reach all your career goals, cruising over every milestone with zeal and a spirit to grow. However, doing a job you loathe becomes the opposite; you only do the bare minimum with zero fulfillment.
In this piece, you’ve learned five tips for finding your desired job (plus a bonus!) Self-assess, research, get the skills and experience, and apply for that dream job. Remember to be persistent, patient, and positive. You will receive some rejections, but that should not deter you! You can get hired at your dream job or start working freelance with integrations like Ruul to streamline your finances in the new job you love.
