subject: 6 Different Strategies To Identify Your Ideal Job [print this page] 6 Different Strategies To Identify Your Ideal Job
Do you know that feeling of being stuck in your job? Employee stress and burn out can account for a lot of dissatisfaction with your job. After all, you are at your job some 8 hours a day or more which is 1/3 of the day if you don't count sleep. That is a very long time to be dissatisfied.
If you feel stuck, below are 6 great ideas that may help you to get the perfect job:
1. Brainstorm on a piece of paper - I have mentioned this before and it's a technique I use all the time. Take a piece of paper and write down at the top your goal in question form. Then, list out 10 answers to your question. Stay seated for a half hour to an hour coming up with answers to that question. The key to this exercise is producing 10 answers - don't give up till you've got 10 answers. You can repeat as long as it's necessary until you get the answer that you are looking for.
2. Ask 3 close people - Usually our family and friends know us better than ourselves. During a meeting with your friends, mention that you are at a crossroads in your job. Ask what they think you would be good at. You might be surprised at how easily they can point out your strengths and skills and direct you to a perfect job area.
3. Ask your work colleagues - much like your friends in the example above, co-workers most likely see you in ways you do not see yourself. In fact, they probably know your strong points and disadvantages in the work environment the best. Put all their answers together to see if you can find any common threads you can explore.
4. Call a job search advisor - If you feel that something is missing in your job, it's likely you've got a resume. You might be able to catch a recruiter during their quiet times and meet with them to pick through what you could possibly be good at. I have tried this few times in my life and the people seem open to providing advice. The ideas I get are usually very useful.
5. Take a job review test - There is plenty of on line web sites you might be able to take one of these tests for a fee. But using the job search professional tip I mentioned above, many job professionals have this computer program and don't mind you taking the test in their office. I've tried that once before and they normally take about an hour, but they are thorough. You need to answer a series of questions about what you are good at, what you enjoy doing, the things you prefer doing over the one you don't. If you take one, you will probably see some new interesting areas to explore in your life.
6. Keep a journal - Do you keep a diary? If so, go throught it, and try to find there some common threads. Look out for trends and activities you enjoy and those you don't. In fact, finding examples of what you don't like and what irritates you is almost as important as finding what you do like. For instance, if you can't stand an overwhelming boss, you would probably enjoy a self-directed job. If you hate nosy co-workers you would probably prefer a job with your own office.
Identifying the kind of job that you really want for yourself is the most important choice you need to make. We dedicate 1/3 or more of our existence to our job. So identifying the perfect job is essential to keeping that 1/3 of our lives enjoyable and fulfilling.
