Finding a job that you’ll love is one of the goals for many people. It allows you to grow as a professional, invest in your career, and feel more satisfied with the work in general. Yet, it is not as easy as it seems.
If you already have an idea of what kind of position is suitable for you, it is great. But before you send out the job application, it is important to be sure. And you need to craft a winning resume to impress a hiring manager and land an interview. It is in itself a huge task because an applicant needs to beat ATS bots and present their key skills and work experience in the best light.
Luckily, you can delegate this task to professional resume writing services online to get the best result. And if you need editing, then you can turn to resume editors, who provide resume editing services. After all, if you are not in the writing business, you probably do not know all the intricacies that go into completing a winning resume.
On the other hand, experts know all about recruiting firms and their expectations, as well as resume-scanning software and how to overcome it. But if you do not have a clear idea of what job you’d love, these tips will help you out.
Start With a Plan
Your career is directly linked to your lifestyle. Thus, you should think about the type of environment you feel comfortable in, what is important for you in terms of personal accomplishments, and what activities you would like to engage in.
Start backward – imagine the ideal lifestyle. Are you traveling a lot? Do you communicate with people constantly? Are you employed and settled in one place? Do you want to make money out of your hobby? What schedule is perfect for you?
Remember that there is no “correct” answer. And the perfect option doesn’t exist. Yet, plans help job seekers narrow the search down to the work experiences that meet their expectations.
Evaluate Your Skills and Passions
Now, it is time for self-reflection. There are two main categories to fill in – what you are passionate about and what you are good at. The answers that cross both categories point to career resources and paths to look into.
Be honest with yourself. If you do not like meetings, you will never love them no matter how high the salary is. Or, if you hate Excel, you probably won’t change your mind about it.
To get an objective opinion, one can consult with friends, colleagues, and family members. You could also consider taking BrainManager's Holland code assessment, which can help you choose a acareer that suits your personality. It is hard sometimes to figure out your strengths on your own. But you should be able to present yourself in a good light before sending job applications.
Look Beyond the Salary
A common mistake many people make is putting salary as one of the main factors influencing job search. For now, put that away. If you do not really like what you are doing, no amount of money will fill in the inner void.
The task is to find something you’d love forever. And if you are busy with something you do not enjoy, it will be incredibly challenging to remain motivated and productive. Eventually, it is almost impossible to truly succeed in something you loathe. If your goal is to get a higher rank in your career, you should be a dedicated employee.
Talk to a Career Advice Expert
Probably, there are plenty of employment options you haven’t considered yet. Maybe they skipped the mind, or you didn’t think that such opportunities existed.
It is extremely helpful to get professional help in this matter. Consult with a career advisor to evaluate the options available. It’ll help to create a shortlist of jobs you might love.
Narrow Down Your Expertise
What differentiates experts from professionals? It’s deep and niche expertise. The narrower your expertise is, the deeper you can get into it.
Do not settle for abstract ideas when figuring out your key skills. For example, you are a great organizer, but it sounds vague. Maybe you are great at reorganizing spaces. Or do you want to help businesses with the organization of their internal processes for increased efficiency?
Consider how you can narrow down your niche to get better at it and create a bot-beating resume later. A well-defined objective and specialization will help you go through the ATS system.
Get Industry Insights
The chances are it might be a completely new industry for you. Before you rush to get more interviews and write to recruiters, it is essential to get into the context of it.
There are many ways to gain industry insights:
follow professional online publications;
learn more from interviews, podcasts, and first-hand experiences;
join professional communities on LinkedIn and start building a community;
research qualification one needs to land a job;
look at people who already work there and note their qualifications and achievements.
Overall, start networking to build connections and find prospects for your career growth.
Gain Experience and Work on Skills
In your job search, you might apply to entry-level positions in the desired field. Some individuals might aim a bit higher, depending on their career path before that. In any case, there might be specific skills and qualifications you need to get. And, of course, real-life experience is a must. There is nothing that beats that in the recruiter’s eyes.
But what if you are switching careers and lack experience? In this case, you can
volunteer in organizations;
go for an internship;
take educational courses;
get certificates relevant for the job you want to occupy;
visit online or offline seminars and workshops.
Scan the work offers and get better at your expertise every day.
Research Employers
At this stage, it is great to create a list of companies you’d love to work with. Or, if you are interested in starting your own business, gather all the ideas and necessary resources.
Look into industry giants and what they offer/produce. Research the work culture and environment, as well as business ethics and values. Find those that suit your objectives. If the company is now hiring, it can be an excellent chance to try.
Conclusion
Finding a job you’ll always love is time-consuming and requires decent effort, but it is worth it. With self-awareness and focus on what combines your skills and passions, you can aim for something that will keep you fulfilled and satisfied.
