Before you start your job search, it is essential to clarify the best job for you. It can be tempting to apply to every job that looks like it could be a fit, especially during a recession, but you’ll be a stronger candidate if you take a more targeted approach. (And, in the meantime, you could find a part-time job or freelance work.)
You’ll be good at anything if you try hard enough, but you’ll be happier and more successful if you find a job that is aligned with your strengths and interests. So, how do you find the right job for you? These tips will help.
Lead with your strengths:
To find the best job for you, write a list of your main strengths and weaknesses and include hard skills relevant to your industry as well as soft skills like organization, teamwork, and creativity. Keep your list nearby when you read job descriptions so you can ensure the job plays to your strengths. Job descriptions include hard and soft skills that are relevant to your industry. If you see something that is not on your list, add it so you have a clearer idea of what you want.
Evaluate your past:
Reflect on the jobs and internships you’ve had previously to clarify what you liked most and least about previous workplaces so you can evaluate job postings and companies based on what you want and hope to avoid. Consider the work you did and the company culture.
Answer these questions about every place you’ve worked:
- What did I like the most and the least about the company?
- What did I like the most and the least about the company culture?
- What did I like most and least about my manager?
- What did I like most and least about the people I worked with?
- What was the most challenging thing about working there?
- When was I the happiest or the proudest?
- What was my biggest accomplishment?
- What did I like the most and the least about my responsibilities?
I also recommend this exercise:
- Write three columns labeled “start,” “stop,” and “continue.”
- In “start,” list the things you haven’t done but hope to do in your next role.
- In “stop,” write down what you did in previous jobs and don’t want to do in your next job.
- In “continue,” write things you’ve done before that you want to continue to do in the next phase of your career.
Envision your ideal job and workplace:
What would be your “dream” role and company? Just like a job posting, include the skills and responsibilities, components of the company culture, and the perks like health insurance, 401K matching, the salary range, and remote work.
As you look at job postings, make a list of your “dream” companies and roles. Your “dream” companies might not have the right opening now, but you get notifications when there are new openings. If you are looking for an entry-level job, but your ideal companies have more senior roles available, write down the main skills they are looking for so you can look for jobs where you’ll gain those skills or find relevant classes you can take to learn them.
Learn from other people’s career paths:
If you are unsure of the right role for you, you can’t identify your ideal job. Gain inspiration from other people’s career paths. Go on informational interviews, look at the LinkedIn profiles of people in your “dream” companies and roles, and read career profiles.
Take classes and try something new:
Take classes, attend workshops, read books, and try something new. You may find out that you’re passionate about coding, website design, graphic design, writing, or something else entirely. Technology makes it easy to learn new skills and a new hobby can lead to a new career.
Do what makes you happy:
The goal of these exercises is to find the best job for you. It might not be the most “prestigious” role, the one your best friend would want, or the one with the highest salary, but it will be the one where you are most likely to thrive.
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