3 steps to work you love

So, you hate your job. Or maybe you sort of like your job [cool people, good location, ok pay] but you want to be challenged or you want to experience something different.

You’ve updated your CV, jumped on seek.com and spoken to your friends. But you still haven’t found anything. You’re getting frustrated.

Most people pursue what seems to be the most efficient route to a new role: identifying a position on job sites then applying for it. But then they really struggle to find a role and apply for it, successfully. Or they get the job and it doesn’t feel like a great fit.

There is a whole different [flipped!] approach to job seeking that is much more effective. It is a technique that is incredibly practical and so, empowering.

Here are just three simple things from that method that you can do right now. To get you closer to a career you love.

Consider your values

When applying for jobs it is critical to be aware of what matters to you. You wouldn’t pursue a relationship with someone whose values clashed with yours [misogynist boyfriend anyone?] so it doesn’t make sense to pursue a job that doesn’t align with your values. And yet people do. Often because it hasn’t even occurred to them to consider the values fit.

If you can get clear on what matters to you and then only pursue jobs that match, you’re likely to have far more success than if you just pursued roles that don’t connect with you, intrinsically.

People Map

Talking to people when you’re job hunting is critical. So many jobs come about through connections rather than through formal job ads. But often times people tend to limit themselves to the folk they tend to see regularly. They forget who else they know.

Expand your thinking: grab a big piece of paper and a chunky pen and map out all the people you know and all the people they potentially know.

An important point: make sure to write down everyone, not just people who seem directly related to the jobs you’re considering. [Think yoga instructor, school friends, uni lecturers, dog walker, house painter, former housemates…everyone!] The point of the exercise is to consider your broader networks.

Volunteer

This is a great one because it delivers multiple benefits. It’s an opportunity to do something good for other people and help yourself.  If you find the right volunteer role, you’ll get valuable experience, strong contacts and you’ll be able to test whether a particular field is a good fit. You’ll also feel like you’re doing something [momentum in a job hunting is essential] and you’ll feel good about yourself [self-confidence is critical too]. Bonus!

Tags: happiness, job, practical strategy