Author: Mike Scaletti
Finding a job you love can be challenging, but it's not impossible. You can find a job that you enjoy, whether it's through using your natural talents, working with people you like, or doing work that aligns with your purpose.
A job has to pay your bills, that goes without saying, but it doesn't have to be the only thing thing it does. You may not love every job you do, but it is certainly possible to find one you love, and at the very least you deserve a job that doesn't make you miserable.
The key to finding a job you'll love is taking action. Don't just think about it, start doing something. Here are some steps you can take:
Make a list: Recall moments in your life when you felt happy, both inside and outside of work, and write them down. This will help you identify what you enjoy doing.
Be true to your values: Your values play a big role in determining how much you'll love your job. Consider your top values and the behaviors and environment that supports them.
Know what rewards you: Understand what makes you feel fulfilled and how you like to be rewarded. Think about times at work when you felt fulfilled and whether you received recognition.
Look for recurring themes: Review the list you made and look for patterns or themes. What skills were you using? What problems were you solving? What types of people were you helping or working with?
Enlist help from others: Reach out to past colleagues and ask them what they think your strengths are. Ask for their ideas on what they see you doing next.
Take a career assessment: There are many assessments available to help match your skills, personality, and interests with occupations.
Conduct research: Research the occupations and jobs you're interested in. Use job boards to see what these jobs really entail.
Brainstorm with a trusted colleague: Talk to someone you trust and ask for their opinion on what they see you doing next.
Start your job list: Make a list of the job titles that seem most promising and reach out to people in your network who hold those roles.
Remember, this is a journey of self-discovery. Focus on what you'll learn about yourself in the process of finding a job you love, rather than just the destination. Understand what it is you need from work and you'll be well on your way to finding a fulfilling job, or maybe even one you love!