We’ve all been there: unsatisfied in an unfulfilling job that we’re desperate to leave but can’t quite see the way out of. In fact, 50% of people are currently experiencing this, and, according to Page Personnel research, just one in four people are happy with the job they’re in.
Image courtesy of Pixabay
The cause? Too much choice. Just as having to pick a new boxset on Netflix can take just as long as watching the series itself, having too much choice is confusing when looking for a new career. In fact, the options available to today’s workers are so overwhelming that it would put 15% off seeking a new job at all. We spend more time at work than anywhere else, so it’s essential to find employment that fulfils us right from the beginning.
If you are looking for a new job, here are my top tips:
Focus on your skills
Being in a job that doesn’t utilise your skills can be a waste of your time and is unlikely to lead to long-term job satisfaction. By identifying what you are good at and what you enjoy, you can target roles where you will be able to put these skills into practice.
Identify your work ethos
Identifying your attitudes to wellbeing, preferred ways of thinking and work behaviour can help you clarify what you should be looking for in a career. We partnered with FindMyWhy to create bespoke ‘Selfie Reports’, a tailored psychometric report that helps you to determine the working standards you should strive for. If you’ve never considered your work ethos before, this is a good place to start.
Think about the company culture
Feeling comfortable enough to be yourself in a business is almost as important as the work itself. When your values align with those of the company, you are much more likely to be happy in your job for the long run. It’s always useful to check the organisation’s website and social media to get a real feel of the culture and the type of people who work there.
Challenge yourself to grow
Being challenged at work is important, as when work is easy it can quickly become monotonous. So, while you should be looking at jobs which utilise your skills, make sure that you are not doing something beneath your capabilities.
Consider career progression
A key indicator of job satisfaction is the opportunity for growth. When considering taking a new role, ask if there will be professional training and development, and what the long-term career prospects look like. If you can, ask for examples of how others have progressed their careers within that organisation.
Connect with people
It can be immensely beneficial to meet and talk to a range of people at various levels who are established in the career you are interested in, to help you get a feel for the work. Having experienced a career in that industry themselves, they could also advise you on whether a similar vocation would be a good fit for you and provide real-world examples of the job’s highs and lows.
Channel your ‘spirit animal’
Just as a butterfly wouldn’t survive under water, you wouldn’t thrive on working somewhere that is not the best environment for you. Take enough time to focus on yourself and what makes you happy, before rushing into making a choice.
Tagged in career