How to Find a Job Doing What You Love
Many people get stuck in a job they don't enjoy. Burnt out and feeling stuck, you might be unsure of the next career move. Finding a job doing what you love requires self-reflection. You need to take inventory of activities you enjoy most in a job and match those with a potential career. Taking career assessments and researching possible careers can help.
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Instructions
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Complete a career assessment. These tests help individuals identity their strengths and weaknesses to determine the best career match. There are plenty of free career assessments available (see Resources). Also, check out your state unemployment department. They typically offer this service at no cost.
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Take inventory of your likes and dislikes. When looking for a job that you love, it's important to conduct a self-assessment. Make a list of tasks you enjoy in a job. For example, perhaps you love working with numbers but despise event planning. Also, consider what you love doing during your free time. If you enjoy working with nature and the outdoors, consider jobs that incorporate these interests.
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Investigate potential careers. Once you've identified a few possible career choices, investigate them a little further. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provided information about potential careers, such as the education and training required, job growth statistics and information about salary. It also describes daily job responsibilities to give readers an idea of what a typical day looks like in the occupation.
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Apply for an internship to test out the career. For example, if you want to become an accountant, perhaps you can intern at an accounting firm for several months to be sure you will enjoy the job. This will also prevent you from investing time and money in education that doesn't get you closer to a job you love. Find these opportunities by approaching companies directly.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider taking a few different career assessments. Look for patterns in the results. For example, if three out of four career assessments recommend a career in graphic design, this might be something worth looking into.
Don't forget to update your resume when looking for new jobs. Include the internship experience you've completed. Also, think about transferable skills. These are skills you acquired at previous jobs and transfer well to the new job. Updating these materials will make you more attractive to potential employers.
