Are you happy with your job? Most workers are only moderately engaged with their job, and four in 10 are considering looking for a new position within the next year, according to a Society for Human Research Management survey. Top factors contributing to job satisfaction include company respect for employees, compensation, trust between workers and senior management, job security and opportunities to use one’s skills and abilities in the workplace.
As a business owner still growing your venture on the side, you need a job that keeps you motivated. If you’re dissatisfied with your job for these or other reasons, changing jobs may be the right solution, but first it’s important to make sure your new job is going to make you happier than your current one, or else you risk staying stuck in the same cycle. Leaving your current job and then being clueless about how to find another career can cause a lot of stress. This can even become the reason why you will suffer financially, deteriorating the quality of your life.
Here are three steps to help you find a more satisfying career:
Prioritize Your Job Requirements
A first step toward finding a career that makes you happy is identifying what qualities would define your ideal job. Answering this question requires considering the type of pay level you’d need to support your preferred lifestyle, what you’re looking for in terms of life-work balance, what types of jobs you would enjoy doing, and what types of jobs you are capable of doing with your skill set. You can find out what type of pay scale and qualifications correspond to different jobs by using the Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Aside from these, you should also learn more about the company you’re planning to work with. This is especially important if you are planning to switch to another career.
The company culture of your next job can significantly affect your job satisfaction and employee morale the moment you start to work. You’ll surely have a hard time transitioning to a new career if you don’t know what to expect from the company you are working with.
With respect to life-work balance, consider factors such as whether you’d like to work from home or whether you need to have flexible job hours. As far as determining what types of jobs you would enjoy doing, the best way to determine this is to talk to a career counselor at your local labor department or college. A career counselor will normally have you take a career aptitude test. You can also find career aptitude tests online.
Update Your Skill Set
After reviewing different career options, you may find that the type of job you’d like to do requires some additional skills beyond your current skill set. In this case, you may be able to expand your career options by updating your skill set. You can find out about the educational and licensing requirements for different jobs by using the Labor Department’s Occupational Outlook Handbook or resources such as CollegeGrad.com.
For some jobs, you may need a new degree in order to qualify. For instance, if you plan on making a name in the healthcare industry, you can click here to gain a degree in healthcare business analytics. Acquiring another degree is essential, especially if your background and experience are different from the career you want to have now. This is also applicable if you want to earn a managerial or supervisory position in your new career.
For others, you may only need to obtain a new certification or license. You can pursue degree and certification programs through traditional resources or by using remote learning opportunities online. You can research online degree and certification programs using resources such as Directory of Schools.
If you currently have a lot on your pate, it might be best if you acquire new skills and knowledge using online platforms. Online tutoring services are very common today, making it easy for you to learn during your free time. But, if you love the idea of learning in a brick-and-mortar classroom, and you actually love traveling to and from home to learn, look for institutions that offer your preferred program.
Pursue a Smart Job-seeking Strategy
Once you feel you have the qualifications to begin your job hunt, you can begin researching specific employers and employment opportunities. You can often save time on your job hunt by working with a recruitment agency. Recruitment agencies work with employers to place qualified workers, and can streamline your search for the right employer and position. Recruiters can also assist you with your job hunt by helping you polish your resume and prepare for interviews. Recruiter.com provides a guide to today’s top recruitment agencies.
Another effective way to hunt for jobs is to go directly to employers. Company websites often list job openings. For instance, the website for Amway features job postings and other resources that are useful to job hunters and entrepreneurs. Starbucks and Apple are other examples of employers that provide career resources through their company websites. You can also visit or email companies to submit your resume to the human resources department. Other ways to connect with employers include using LinkedIn to network, visiting job fairs, joining professional associations, and taking internship and work-experience programs offered by colleges.
Regardless of how you plan on submitting your resume, it’s important that you exert time and effort into making one first. Aside from making sure that it contains all of your personal information and professional experience, make sure to include keywords that are used in the job posting you want to apply for. This will leave a positive impression as the recruiters will easily identify that you actually read the listing and understand what they are looking for.
In Conclusion
The smart way to pursue a more satisfying career is to approach it step-by-step. Start by identifying the job requirements of your ideal position. Then make sure you’ve got the right qualifications for the position you’re seeking. You can then pursue your job hunt with confidence by leveraging resources such as recruitment agencies, online job listings, LinkedIn and job fairs. Following these steps will help set you on the path to a more rewarding job and a happier lifestyle.
