Finding Your Dream Job: Tips for Discovering a Job You Love
We’ve all heard the saying “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life”, but sometimes it’s easier said than done.
There are people out there who have a career and job that they love and are passionate about, those are the lucky ones. There are others who get the Sunday night dread and wake up in the morning with a sinking feeling, and lastly, there are the ones that float somewhere in the middle, this is the most common.
If you find yourself in the two latter stages it may be time to jump ship, put yourself at the centre, and actively seek out a job that you’ll fall in love with.
Identify your passion and what’s important
This one takes time. Most people find that they’re so caught up in the day-to-day, that they forget what their passion is and what’s important to them. To discover your passion, you’ll need to stop, take stock and discover what it is that fills your internal happiness cup.
To do this, you’ll need to ask yourself some questions and answer them honestly. You could ask yourself “What are my hobbies, interests, and skills?”, “What work makes me lose track of time?”. “What tasks fulfill me at work?”, and “How should work impact my life?”.
When you’ve answered those questions and realised what you’re passionate about and what’s important to you, it’s time to create a list. The list you make has to include things that are attainable, it’s pointless adding “working 3 hours a week for £50k” to your list – we’re sure there are roles out there that exist, but we guarantee they’re rare! You’re better off listing things such as the sector and work environment that you’re seeking from your next move.
Job Searching and Networking
Your next focus will be your job search and you’ll use your list to inform your search and help you discover if a prospective employer is ‘the one’.
One way to start your search is by connecting with people who are already working in your desired industry. A great way to start connecting is through LinkedIn, either by connecting with people individually or becoming a member of a group. You can also attend industry-related events and networking events in your local region. These connections provide valuable insight into the day-to-day realities of a sector and could lead to potential job opportunities.
Another way to search for an opportunity is through the traditional route, such as searching job boards and reaching out to recruiters.
Either way, you’ll want to keep your list in mind. Do your research on each and every company, dive into their history and their culture, discover what they stand for and their values, and pay attention to the leaders and the people. Do these companies align with your list and what you’ve decided is important to you in your next role? Do they spark your interest and excite you?
If they do, go for it!
Be open and keep going
When you’ve secured the job at the company that has captured your heart, you’ll want to carry one evaluating what you’re passionate about and what is important to you, as these change over time. We’re not advising that you jump ship and embark on a new challenge every six months, but we are saying that you should keep it in mind and not become complacent. You deserve to be in a job you love!
It’s also important that you remain open to new and different opportunities that may come your way. Sometimes the best job is the one you never expected to find.
By following these steps, you can take the first step towards finding a job you love and creating a fulfilling career. Remember the job search process can take time, so be patient, stay positive, and keep searching until you find the perfect fit.
If you want to start your search now, our job board is filled with some amazing opportunities!
