How do you determine your dream job?
Anyone who has worked with me knows I advocate that individuals find the right job, not just A job. But what is the right job? While that will differ for everyone, the path to figuring it out will be very similar.
Your dream job consists of several layers. First, what do you enjoy doing? For most people, it also involves feeling like they are making an impact. What does that mean to you? What about culture? What kind of work culture appeals to you? Location matters. Are you looking for strictly work from home? Hybrid? How far are you willing to drive every day to get to work? What are your benefit must-haves and benefit wants? Finally, what are the top three things you want from your next job? (pay and title don’t count; those will come when everything else aligns).
Start by “brain-dumping” all of this information. Putting it in writing is essential to organizing and using the information effectively.
Separate your skills and abilities - these are the first steps to deciding what you want to do. After creating an extensive list of tasks and skills, create a narrower list with the top ten items. Then, circle the top three. Search jobs based on these criteria rather than job titles. Research the unfamiliar ones and do a few informational interviews to see if it is a fit. Sounds simple, right? For some people, it is, but for others, they have to dig a little deeper. We will talk about how to do that next week.
Once you know the career you want, you can use the rest of the information to vet the right organization. Sometimes, we feel burnt out in our chosen industry, not because we aren’t passionate about the job, but because we have been working in the wrong environment. Making sure you aren’t choosing an organization whose values don’t align with yours is crucial. Craft a list of questions to ask in the interview from your top priorities. Then, ask them and pass on the organizations that don’t align. Remember, the interview should be a two-way conversation.
Finding the right job is about aligning your professional path with your values, passions, and aspirations.