Not everyone is fortunate enough to find a job that is both meaningful, and enjoyable, but with a little forethought, effort and patience, there’s no reason why your next job, can’t be exactly that. Or better still, be a job that you don’t just enjoy, but love.
Read on for tips to find a meaningful job that will give you back as much as you put in:
Tip one:
Match your interests with an occupation
Begin by researching careers that match your interests, and once you’ve narrowed down your options, conduct some further research to find out what positions might be available in that field, along with the salary you can earn and whether there might be opportunities to advance your career.
Then, try talking to someone who works in your field of interest, who will be able to give you more information about the roles available, such as what work you would be expected to do, and what your responsibilities might be.
Tip two:
Evaluate your strengths and skills
When you’ve got a basic idea of what career path you would like to pursue, take some time to think carefully about the skills you already possess, as well as those you might need to gain in order to fulfil the role. The skills that you already possess are known as transferable skills, and can usually be applied to almost any field of work. To find out what transferable careers skills you have, think about the following:
Include other experiences, not just those related to work
If you volunteer, have hobbies or life experiences, these can all be useful when looking for a fulfilling job.
List skills that might fit
Just make a basic list of your skills, nothing fancy. Simply list the skills you currently possess that could be applied to your desired job.
Have a brainstorming session with others
Whether it’s friends, colleagues or mentors, talking to others about your skillset can help you get a better idea of your existing skills, and those you may have overlooked.
Tip three:
Develop your skills and experience
If there are some skills required by your chosen new career that you don’t already have, there will probably be several ways to gain them through learning. You can look for on-the-job training, or opportunities to work on projects that will help you develop the necessary skills. There may even be some opportunities within your community to strengthen and expand upon your existing skillsets, such as computers or business development.
Additionally, find out if you might need to take additional classes to further your education or skills in order to qualify for a role in your chosen new career path. Some fields have accelerated programs or night classes to help individuals further their educational qualifications or gain extra skills, while they’re still working.
Finally, volunteering or working as an intern are both great ways to gain extra skills and experience.
Tip four:
Manage your career transition
Remember that changing career paths isn’t something that’s going to happen overnight, and by taking it steady, you can avoid becoming too overwhelmed. Take the time to get it right, and don’t forget to look after yourself during the transition, as any big changes in life can be stressful if not managed appropriately.
You might think that finding a job that both pays the bills and gives you a sense of satisfaction, is well beyond your reach, but with the right attitude and a willingness to pursue your goals, everything is within your reach.
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