How to Choose a Job You Love

How did I choose my career?

I didn’t. I stumbled into a job right after college, took everything from it that I could get, then followed the path available from that job. Fortunately, the first job I stumbled into, happened to be something I really liked. I feel that I got lucky! However, I feel that most people follow the same path as I did, but they don’t get as lucky. They happen to stumble into a job they don’t really like, and end up frustrated and disappointed in their careers.

But there is a better way to find a career you love.

I think it’s best to spend your time trying to get it right from early in your career, because if you don’t get it right, it can be even harder down the road.

I wanted to share some few simple steps you can take to find a career that’s right for you:

Do deep research to see what you’re really interested in – research allows you to learn something new and it makes you think differently. Research is time consuming and challenging, but it’s totally worth it because it can lead to new ideas and opportunities.
Informational Interviews – talk to people who have been in similar roles you want to be in to get their advice and insights. The best information comes from people who are actually working in that career field.
Get involved in your field – There are different ways in which you can gain some relevant experience. You can take on an internship, volunteer or do freelance work. There is a difference between actually doing the work and just reading about it. Doing it gives you a better understanding of what is expected from the job, so you can learn if it’s something you want to do long-term.

The steps above can also apply to people who want to transition into a new field when they have no experience in it. This is actually a common question I get asked all the time by job seekers. It’s a great question – and a challenging situation especially in today’s competitive job market.

It’s true that most hiring managers prefer to hire candidates who already have years of experience in that role. They want to have proof that you can start delivering from day one. This is where you have to think of your transferrable skills, the drive and the motivation you have to do a new job, one that you love. If you’re able to show your passion for the job and demonstrate that you really have the drive to make things happen in your new role, you have a high chance to get hired. I’ve heard from hiring managers multiple times that they’ve hired people who did not have the exact experience they were looking for, but they had the right attitude and the right transferable skills.

If you’re thinking about applying to a job, you’re not a good match for, then you should really think about hiring a professional resume writer. This will ensure your resume contains all the necessary keywords to filter through the screening programs. Professional resume writers also know just how to accentuate your most relevant and impressive skills making you a good match for the job.

Lastly, before jumping into a job, sit down, grab a coffee and ask yourself these questions:

Will I be happy doing it?
Will it boost my career?
Will it give me the work-life balance I need?
Is the salary what I think I deserve?
Are the benefits sufficient for my needs?
How is the work schedule, the hours, travel if involved?
Is there is anything about the job that is making you think twice before you accept the offer?

Of course, there is no such thing as a perfect career, however you’ll have a better chance at making the right career choice if you follow my steps, and you’re careful about every step you take before you say, “yes to the job”.