Finding a job is easy, but finding a job you truly love? That’s a different ball game. A fulfilling job aligns with more than just your skills—it resonates with your core values, your vision for your life, and the things that ignite your passion. Here’s a guide on how to embark on an introspective journey to discover that dream job.
But first, I want to share one potentially unpopular opinion…
Finding a job that you love does not automatically mean leaving your current company. There are ways to shift your role, responsibilities, and daily tasks within your current organization or position. So if you love your company and especially your corporate culture, then keep your mind open to getting creative in this process. The solution to unhappiness at work is not always “I quit.”
This happened to be my personal experience early in my career. A year into my first job out of college I was SO bored in my role as a marketing coordinator. I mean really really bored. I spent a large portion of my day downloading marketing reports, printing them out and then manually entering the numbers back into excel. I know, right?! But here’s the thing…I LOVED the culture and had made some amazing friends in my colleagues. I felt so lucky to be a part of the team. But I would have done anything to have a different job inside the organization. And that’s exactly what I ended up doing.
Another member of the marketing team left the company. I volunteered to take on a number of her responsibilities while they went through the process of hiring her replacement. I didn’t ask for an increase in pay or anything really in return. I just wanted to learn and show my boss I was capable of doing more. After a few weeks, the company offered me the position permanently. However, I had to agree to a 6 month probationary period. My raise associated with my new role would not kick in until the end of this 6 months (with backpay).
You might be reading this and thinking “What?! How naive were you?!” Take on a much more demanding high level position with no pay increase? And in retrospect I should have negotiated it differently. But back then I was still using Google to understand what people were saying in meetings. I didn’t know the first thing about the first thing. I just knew how to work hard and learn fast. And I don’t regret going out on that limb. It kick started my career and shaped my understanding of how to get ahead.
Now, I am NOT recommending anyone follow in my exact footsteps. With the economy and landscape today, I would never advise someone to agree to similar terms. However, I demonstrate a key point with this story. To get what you want, you almost always have to get creative, be bold and put in some hard work.
Ten years later I left that company as their Chief Marketing Officer. It was finally the right time for me to go. So I’ve been in both situations you might find yourself in today. My hope is this article will help you find a job or a position that you love. That might mean you have to leave the current company you’re at. Or it might mean you have to get creative and be bold in your quest to find the right place for yourself.
Ok! Let’s get into it…
Start with Introspection:
Self-awareness is the cornerstone of any fulfilling career choice. Dive deep into your core values. What principles guide your life? Freedom? Creativity? Philanthropy? By understanding these, you can align your job search with opportunities that resonate with the things that keep you most balanced and joyful. And while you’re at it, visualize the life you want. Do you see a 9-to-5 in the office with colleagues you love, or remote work from anywhere in the world? This detailed picture will serve as your north star.
Illuminate Your Passions:
Reflect on the moments when you feel most alive, both in and out of work. Is it when you’re collaborating with a team, working on a challenging project, or maybe even presenting in front of an audience? Recognize these ‘light-up’ moments. They’re invaluable clues to roles and environments where you’d thrive.
Talk to Your Boss or Current Mentor. Express your desire to expand and grow with the current company, or be vulnerable with your personal goals and ambitions. Be careful not to use any directly negative phrases like “I’m bored with what I’m doing”, “I can’t do this anymore”, “I dislike my job”…etc. Focus more on where you’d like to go and how you’d like to grow professionally. Use phrases like:
- “I’ve learned a lot in my current role, and I’m eager to take on new challenges to contribute even more to the team/company.”
- “I’ve been reflecting on my career path, and I’m interested in exploring roles that involve [specific tasks or responsibilities]. How can I work towards that?”
- “Given my accomplishments in [specific tasks or projects], I feel I could bring value to [specific role or department]. Can we discuss the possibility of me learning more in this area of the business?
Be open to feedback:
Ask what skill gaps you might need to work on. As much specific feedback and direction you can get the better. You’re not asking them to solve this challenge for you. You’re asking for clear feedback to help you determine your next move.
Note: It’s not advised to tell your current employer that you’re thinking about leaving unless you’re absolutely certain of their reaction. You do not want to be caught flat footed and without a job or an angry boss.
Ditch the Endless Job Board Scrolling:
Here’s some real talk: If scrolling through LinkedIn and other job boards hasn’t worked before, it won’t now. Instead of applying to a job just because you’re qualified, cultivate an intentional job search strategy. Research companies whose values align with yours or who’s products or services you find valuable or inspiring. Do your research and find the email address for the HR recruiter for the company. Figure out what people listed as working for these companies describe doing on their profiles. What are their job titles, qualifications and education? How do you match up? Quality, not quantity, is the key.
Be vulnerable with your friends and family. Ask for introductions to people in the industry you’re looking to enter. Invest in a mentor or career coach. Attend local networking events or speakers series hosted by Universities or large organizations and nonprofits. Finding a job you love will 100% require you to put yourself out there at some point.
Make Non-Negotiable Commitments to Yourself:
Set yourself up for success by establishing routines and goals. This could be a morning ritual to get you in the right mindset, a timeline for your job search, or even targets for personal and professional development. Remember, these commitments are non-negotiable. Don’t get me wrong here…life will happen and you need to remain flexible. But consistentcy in keeping your commitments to yourself at least 80% of the time is key. The aim is progress, not perfection.
Let’s wrap this up…finding a job you adore requires a blend of introspection and intentional action. Once you’ve discovered your inner desires and values, the path becomes clearer. And as you set out on this fulfilling journey, don’t forget to check out our other articles for even more tips and advice. A great next read would be: 10 Steps to Crafting Your Personal & Professional Goals”. In this article, we dive deeper into strategies that can pivot your life and career towards a brighter, happier future.