How to Find the Job You Love

There are many people that do not like their jobs, even fewer who love them. You probably spend a minimum of 40 hours a week doing your job, why not do something you want to do? Open your mind, reach back and find what it was you wanted to do with your life, what you enjoy doing, or what your passion is. If you know what it is, you can do it!

Think about what you do well, things you have done that you are proud of, and what you enjoy doing. Compile a list of these things and break them down into skill-sets. Skill-sets are the skills that you do well or are qualified to do that can be converted into productive work.

Do you want to work for a specific kind of company or perform a specific task within any company? The answer to this will help you develop a job search strategy.

Talk to your family, friends, and professional acquaintances. This is the first step of your networking. Begin networking with people that have the same interests as you. Begin researching and networking with companies that match your desires and/or require your skills. Consider finding a mentor or a career counselor to help you find your way through the sea of companies that are hiring.

Create your job search plan. Networking is a big part of your job search, but it is not the only thing. Write down your objective, the strategies, and the steps to take that you intend on using to obtain that goal. Make your steps specific, actionable, and measurable.

Keep your job search fluid and flexible. Reach out and be creative. Don't fall back on things you have done in the past. If you didn't like performing a particular job or duty at one company, you're not going to enjoy it at another. Remember that your goal is to find the job you love, focus your job search on that.

Consider internships, seasonal work or other short term work. This allows you to experiment with different jobs without the long-term commitment. Check out websites like Cool Works® for ideas.