The Key to Finding a Job You Love

*Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission for items that you purchase. For more information, please refer to my disclosure policy.

Key Takeaways

1. Finding a job you love is a great way to take care of yourself and create the happy life you desire.
2. There are 6 actionable steps you can take to find the right job for you.
3. Thinking critically about what you need in a job before applying is the best way to find a job you will love.

Finding a Job You Love

Finding a job you love is an important step in creating the life that you desire. Just like taking bubble baths and lighting scented candles, having a job that leaves you feeling good at the end of the day is crucial to any holistic approach to self-care.

The older you get, the more you realize just how silly it is to waste your precious time doing something you hate. Because after all, you spend the majority of your waking hours at work. Running a household and enjoying your family usually takes place during what little time you have left over.

With such structured weeks dictated for you, it may seem like you’re living the exact same day over and over again. This monotony is filled with one obligation after another, and the cycle never ends. So it’s no wonder that you’re always longing for the weekend to get here and are so disappointed when it goes by way too fast.

It’s such a shame to be stuck in a job that bores you to tears every day or worse yet, one that is so toxic it makes you physically and emotionally sick. What are you doing? Why are you living this way? Wouldn’t finding a job you love be the ultimate game-changer?

The crazy part is that you’re not alone. I spent years of my life in jobs that were absolutely not the right fit for me. I felt trapped because I spent tons of money pursuing college degrees in my field and then I ended up being a single mom with two kids to feed.

I needed to keep working in order to survive, so I chose to settle for a life that had very little joy in it. I pushed my passions away and dealt with the tedium that comes with working for someone else in a job I hated. But then I got tired of it, and I realized that there had to be a better way. So I started by asking myself how to find the right job for me. I brainstormed, researched, and spoke with people who already had the job that I thought I might want.

After a year of preparing, I finally took the plunge and quit my day job. The best part is that I’ve never been happier. So if you’re ready to change your life by finding a job you love, keep reading.

Brooke’s Top Pick for a Career Change Guide

Discover Your Dream Career Guide by LauraAnnabelCoaching

• Instant digital download

• 74-page guide and resources

• Editable text to personalize

• Includes exercises, prompts, and actionable steps

How to Find the Right Job For Me

The best way to find the right job for you is to take a career assessment test, research the job descriptions, duties, and salaries of positions that you may be interested in, speak with people already in those fields, and then look for companies currently hiring that would be a good match for you.

Here are 6 actionable steps that will help you find the right job to meet your professional needs:

1. Take a career assessment test to see which jobs may be a good fit for you.
2. Find out which skills and educational requirements are needed for those types of jobs.
3. Research the job duties for each type of job you are considering.
4. Research the salary and benefits for these types of jobs so you can be sure to reach financial independence.
5. Talk to people who are already employed in these positions and ask questions.
6. Ask close family members and friends which types of jobs they think would be a good match for you.

Finding the right job doesn’t have to be an overwhelming, anxiety-ridden process. A lot of the time, when you see the results of a career assessment test or talk to the people closest to you, the suggestions they have make a lot of sense.

You have a unique personality, skills, and educational background that already prepares you for certain career fields, and you’ll tend to really enjoy jobs that complement these abilities. When your job is a mismatch, not so much.

So when you’re wondering how you’ll ever find the right job for you, just remember that there are tons of options out there. You’ll only fail if you don’t try.

Share this Image On Your Site

What Do You Look For in a Job

The most important thing to look for in a job is whether or not it’s a good match for your personality, the work-life balance you desire, the culture you would like to be a part of, and the salary and benefits you need to be successful. The best job for you will leave you feeling fulfilled and content.

So now that you know how to start the whole process of finding a career match, what do you usually look for in a particular job?

Here are the dos and don’ts of looking for a new job:

Do

• Look for a job that excites you.
• Look for a job that aligns with your values.
• Look for a job that has acceptable working hours.
• Look for a job that has a good work-life balance.
• Look for a job that matches your personality.
• Look for an employer that appreciates your skills and abilities.
• Look for an employer that encourages personal and professional growth.
• Look for an employer that provides professional development opportunities.
• Look for a job that has growth potential.
• Look for a job with friendly employees.
• Look for a job that has a positive work culture.
• Look for a job with a salary you’re comfortable with.
• Look for a job with decent benefits.

Don’t

• Take a job that you have no passion for.
• Take a job that makes you feel like you’re settling.
• Take a job with excessive working hours required.
• Take a job that will force you to compromise your family time.
• Take a job that makes you feel uncomfortable.
• Take a job with an employer who does not value you as a part of the team.
• Take a job with an employer who accepts verbal abuse as normal.
• Take a job with no room to grow.
• Take a job with a high turnover.
• Take a job with low employee satisfaction.
• Take a job where your opinion doesn’t matter.
• Take a job with a lower salary than you’re comfortable with.
• Take a job with no benefits.

The whole point of asking yourself, what do you look for in a job, taking the plunge, and making a career change is to find a job that works well for you. So throughout the research and application phases, keep your personal needs in mind.

You deserve to feel fulfilled, appreciated, and fairly compensated for the hard work that you do. There are certainly some positions out there that just won’t meet your needs, but there are many more that will. When you find one, you’ll feel happier, have more energy, and you’ll no longer be dreading the return to work every Monday morning.

For the first time in my life, I love what I do. Monday mornings feel like another chance to do work that I enjoy, to grow as a professional, and to network with colleagues who are just as happy as I am.

I want the exact same thing for you. You deserve it, and you shouldn’t waste another day hating your job. By pondering, what do you look for in a job, you are already taking the first step

How to Find a New Job Quickly

The best way to find a new job quickly is to always keep your resume and LinkedIn profile up to date, create a professional-looking cover letter template, and network regularly throughout your career. The more prepared you are now, the easier it will be for you to find a new job quickly later on.

When just starting out, it can feel impossible that you’ll ever find a new job that works for you. The more cover letters you write and applications you submit, the longer it seems to take. But trust me, it’s only a matter of time before finding a job you love is officially checked off of your to-do list.

Here are 20 steps sure to help you find a job you love quickly:

1. Frequently update your resume.
2. Create a cover letter template that you can tailor for each job posting.
3. Ask people you trust to provide letters of recommendation and be references for you.
4. Have a clear vision for the position you’re looking for.
5. Check job boards for positions that match your criteria.
6. Aim for jobs with your experience level or slightly higher.
7. Apply to fewer jobs with greater effort.
8. Research each company thoroughly and specifically mention ways you that would be an asset to their organization. Ask yourself what type of candidate they are looking for.
9. Include relevant volunteer work and professional development in your applications.
10. Make sure to complete all of the requirements of the application process for each job posting.
11. Don’t be afraid to apply to more than one position in a large company.
12. Work with a recruiter who specializes in your chosen field.
13. Network with professionals in your chosen field.
14. Use your social media accounts wisely to let professionals know about your interest in open positions.
15. Be patient and try not to feel desperate.
16. Dress professionally during job interviews.
17. Be confident during job interviews.
18. Be positive during job interviews, especially when talking about your most recent position.
19. Provide detailed examples of how you can contribute to the company during interviews.
20. Send thank you cards to interviewers through the mail.

These steps will help you prepare for finding a new job quickly. But remember, it’s also important to take your time finding the right fit for you, so remember not to settle for anything less than you deserve.

You never have to take a job just because it’s offered to you. Wait patiently for a job that’s a perfect fit, and you’ll no longer have to go to work. You’ll get to go there instead.

Brooke’s Top Pick for a New Job Candle

Smells Like a New Job in Here Candle by DogsAndRosesCo

• Handmade

• 100% natural soy wax

• 2.8 inches x 3.5 inches

• 5 scents to choose from

FAQs

1. How do I find a job I love?

The best way to find a job you love is to think critically about your own personality, which types of tasks you like to complete and those you don’t, the type of work culture you want to be a part of, and the salary and benefits you require to be financially secure.

2. Why choose a job that you love?

The whole purpose behind choosing a job that you love is to create the life you desire and feel content at the end of the day. Choosing a job you love leaves you feeling fulfilled and happy with the role you have selected.

3. Will I ever be happy with my career?

It is possible to be happy with your career. Sometimes transitioning to a new department or employer is all that it takes to become happy once again. Other times, pivoting to a new career field is necessary to feel joy at work.

Sources

• American Association For the Advancement of Science: In the Tough Academic Job Market, Two Principles Can Help You Maximize Your Chances
• Career Explorer: The World’s Best Career Test
• LinkedIn

Love What You’re Seeing So Far?

• Enjoy community support
• Never miss a life-changing post again
• Get immediate access to the free resources library
• Be the first to know about giveaways

What does your dream job look like? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.