Find A Job You Love In 7 Easy Steps

Contributed by Heather Oviatt

So, you’ve had it. You can’t stand to spend another day in a job you don’t love, which happens to be the job you currently have. You want to feel energized, rather than frustrated or anxious, each morning as you head to work. You want to come home, not drained, but with enough energy to take care of the needs of home and family. Now you’re asking yourself, “How do I find a job I love?” Maybe you’re even wondering if such a job even exists. Fortunately, anyone who is willing to do a bit of self-exploration and make a few lists will be on the road to finding a job they’ll love.

Step 1: Analyze your current job.
Make a list of the reasons you think it’s not the job for you. Perhaps you are currently working in a high-stress field and you would like to work somewhere more laid back. Perhaps your job is inflexible or involves working long shifts. Do you enjoy your job but dislike the field it’s in or vice versa?

When you've completed that list, make another list of the things you like about your current job. Do you enjoy the hours? The flexibility? The atmosphere? Beware of making these lists unrealistic; don’t nitpick about conditions that are inherent in any work place such as responsibility or effort.

Step 2: Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses.
Are you organized? Creative? Do you find it hard to work within a set schedule? This may sound elementary but you want to get a realistic picture of what kind of work you are suited for. A procrastinator will confront difficulties in jobs such as business ownership and the law, where time is mostly self-managed, whereas someone who likes to be in charge will thrive in such jobs.

Step 3: Ask yourself what you want to do.
This can be a hard one because it asks you to put aside all the cultural and familial messages you have received about what you should be doing with your life. A good way to start this inquiry is to imagine what you’d want to do with your life if money wasn’t a factor. Did you always dream of being an artist? A business owner? An animal trainer? Jot every idea down, no matter how silly it may sound. It might be a good idea to spend a few days on this step. Allow yourself to open up to any possible job that enters your head.

Next, refine your list into realistic job opportunities. If you initially wrote down rock star but you're an accountant who's never played an instrument, you could explore accounting options within the music industry. The idea is to combine your dreams with reality so you end up with a list of jobs you could actually do.

Step 4: Consider the amount of time and money available to spend on changing careers.
Will you be able to get extra schooling if required? What level of education would you be able to pursue? Could you take a position as an unpaid intern? Do you have the resources to start up a new business? Are you willing to take the cut in pay that usually comes with a change in fields? Unfortunately, we don’t all have unlimited resources to use in our quest for the dream job. This doesn’t mean you should lose hope if you lack both time and money. Sometimes the difference between a not so great job and a job you love can be as simple as a free online tutorial.

Step 5: Compile and compare the lists you have made.
First, eliminate any jobs on your list that possess aspects that you dislike about your current job. Second, eliminate jobs that don’t mesh with your strengths and weaknesses. After these first two steps, you should have a list of jobs that really fit with who you are. Now you need to eliminate any jobs that you don’t have either the time or the money to pursue. If you find that this step eliminates all the jobs you have listed, consider alternative jobs within the fields in which you're interested. Finally, decide on a job within the options that remain. This may take a while but that’s okay. Remember, you can always change your mind.

Step 6: Formulate a plan.
Once you have found a job that you would love, there will probably be much to accomplish before you can actually attain that job. Now is the time to map out your plan of attainment. If the desired job is a different position in your current field, your plan might be a simple as searching job databases, revamping your resume, and sending your resume to prospective employers. If your desired job requires schooling then your plan will be very elaborate. However, no matter how simple or complicated your plan is, you need to have that plan worked out. I also suggest working out a timeline where you set specific dates by which you are to accomplish specific goals.

If you want your life to proceed in an organized fashion, then you should start from an organized place. Try typing up your list and timeline on the computer using programs such as Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel. Print it out and hang it up somewhere like the refrigerator where you will see it everyday. This will not only give you a daily reminder as to what your goals are, but it will also build confidence as you meet deadlines and check tasks off the list.

Step 7: See your plan through.
Often the prospect of change is exciting but we become disenchanted when we realize the amount of work that change requires. However, your current job, the one you dislike, also requires work. In fact, there’s not a job around that doesn’t require work. As long as you are putting forth effort, why not make it effort that goes toward making your life better? Once you put your plan in motion and begin accomplishing the tasks that put you closer to your dream job, the work becomes easier. Once you’ve seen your plan through and are working in a job you love, you will be glad you made the effort.

About the Author:
Heather Oviatt decided to is pursue becoming a college professor. Currently , she is finishing her bachelor’s degree in English and hopes to attend graduate school in the fall.