Liking what you do has a big impact on your overall happiness in life. When you hate going into work, don’t feel fulfilled, and have one bad day after another, you’re not going to be satisfied with your life. At that point, it’s natural to want to change careers. But if you don’t know what the job of your dreams is, you can be stuck cycling through more dead-end jobs that don’t make you happy.
If you’re ready to find a job that you’ll actually love, here are some tips on finding your dream career.
Understand Yourself
The first step is a difficult one. It’s not easy for many people to look at themselves objectively and figure out what they’re good at, what they’re passionate about, and what their purpose is. But if you want to find a job that you love, you’ll need to understand yourself. Your friends and colleagues can help. Ask them what they think your top talents are and why they think that. Then, take some time to think about your life. Ask yourself tough questions. When were you the happiest? What were you doing at that time? What could you realistically see yourself doing every day that you wouldn’t get sick of? Once you look inside yourself, you can better connect your talents and passion to your career goals.
Advance Your Education
If you can’t get your dream career with your current level of education, don’t be deterred. No matter how old you are or how long it’s been since you’ve last stepped into a classroom, there’s no reason that you can’t restart your education now. You can take online courses, night classes, go to seminars and presentations, or go back to school full time—whatever it takes to get your dream job. Your future happiness depends on it.
Meet with a Career Counsellor
If you’ve looked deep down inside yourself and have come up nearly empty, then consider contacting a career counsellor to help you find a job you’ll be happy working. You’ll take personality tests and career quizzes, and based on your answers, the results of these tests can guide you into the right career.
Commit to the Job Search
You’re not going to find a job that you love if you’re not committed. Create an initial career plan with realistic activities that you can check off so you don’t stop working until you achieve your goals. Don’t settle for applying to jobs that you know won’t work in the long term. Keep looking, searching, and networking until you get in the field that you want. Without commitment, you won’t find it.
Work with a Staffing Company
If you’re having a hard time getting the job you want, contact a staffing company that works in the field of your dreams. These agencies have strong connections with employers and know of open positions that aren’t posted online or anywhere else. A staffing agency could be just what you need to get your foot in the door. The representatives will work hard to place you in a position that you’ll be happy in and can succeed in.
Never Give Up
Sometimes, you might feel like quitting and just taking any old job that comes along. Even if you have to take it just to make ends meet, never give up on your dream job. It might take time. It’ll take effort. But it’ll be worth it in the end. You can find a job you love when you work at it, no matter how difficult it gets.
