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Jobseeker Career Advice

How Do I Find the Right Job for Me?

A lot of people view their job as simply a means to an end – a necessary evil that must be undertaken in order to pay the bills. However, if you are unhappy in your day job, this is likely to have an impact on your mental wellbeing, home life, as well as those you love. It is therefore essential to find a role that suits you and your lifestyle. What is important to you? This might seem like a strange question but if you can establish what matters from the outset, you will be more inclined to find a position that is a good fit.

 

If you take your likes and dislikes first and foremost, this will help you to find the field in which you would like to work. Perhaps you have a keen interest in animals, fitness, nutrition, beauty or food? If you follow your heart, you will be more likely to be satisfied in your day-to-day life. Do not rule out the idea of self-employment. More and more individuals are fulfilling their passions by setting up their own businesses and working for themselves. Although it can be a lot of hard work at the beginning, self-employment is growing in the UK, and there are grants available to budding entrepreneurs.

 

Similarly, if you know that you are not much of a people person, perhaps a customer-facing role is not for you. Your weaknesses can be just as insightful as your strengths in finding a career you will love. It is difficult to have an objective representative of your credentials, particularly if you are a school leaver, so work experience offers a fantastic opportunity to explore different fields and discover what you like (or do not like) to do. If you have undertaken work experience in a certain area and fallen in love with the job, you may need to go back to college to undertake further examinations, but at least you will know you are working towards a career that is right for you. Perhaps you have worked in reception at your local GP practice and would like to go to medical school. You know the hard work that will be involved but it will eventually pay off when you achieve your job aspirations.

 

Your academic achievements will rule you in or out from pursuing certain career paths. The results you have achieved are likely to inform the career you pursue because if you have excelled in mathematics, for example, and enjoy the subject, you will be more inclined to opt for a numbers-based role such as an accountant or auditor. If you are less academic and more practical in nature, you should not discount a more hands-on position. An apprenticeship in a trade that interests you could be a wise move.

 

The type of job you do determines the kind of lifestyle you lead. This is something that everyone should think hard about before they start out on a specific path. If you work in the hospitality industry, for instance, you will have less free time at weekends and you may be expected to work in the evenings. This will not be possible for many individuals who have to care for another person, whether it’s an elderly relative, young child or disabled family member. Your home life should therefore be a key consideration in your choice of job. If you value your free time for holidays or pursuing a much-loved hobby, perhaps you should not go for a career that you know will be shifts-based. Teaching is a good option for people who like to travel because the holidays lend themselves to greater opportunity for long holidays.   

 

Alternatively, you may value most your professional development, or a well-paid position could be a priority. If this is the case and your CV boasts the right credentials, you could be suited to working towards a more vocational type of role.

 

The key point to take away from this article is if you are in the right job, you have more chance of leading a happy and fulfilled life. After all, as they say, if you enjoy what you do then work doesn’t have to feel like work. And isn’t that what we all should aim to achieve from our individual working lives?