How to find your dream job
This is one of the most frequently asked questions I get, and I am assuming you are reading this because you aren’t currently in yours. You’re not alone. It is estimated that up to 55% of people aren’t satisfied with their jobs. Here are some of the steps you need to take to find your dream job, these are a combination of strategic moves and mindset shifts.
The first things to note are:
Firstly, finding your dream job can take up to 6 months, potentially even a little longer
Secondly, it might cost you something financially for your personal & professional development
Finally, some self-reflection will be your key to finding your dream job
However, it will all be worth it when you wake up on a Monday excited to go to work, when you feel fulfilled, valued, respected, and aligned to your role.
Below are the steps you need to take to discover your dream job!
[If you want help with finding your dream job, click here].
What are your non-negotiables?
What is important to you in your dream job? Indeed there are many variables that may be important so here is a list to start to help you to narrow it down. Score each one on a scale of 1-10 or provide actual figures if you can be this specific. This is not an exhaustive list but a starting point for you to think about what it is you actually want.
Some of these aspects may be flexible and it is equally valuable to make a note of this here. For example, if you’re flexible about the salary, mark a minimum and a “nice to have” goal. This will help you narrow down your options when you are actively looking;in other words, they are filters on a job search!
Your Values are your Career Compass
What are values?
Your core values (also called personal values) are intrinsic to who you are, they are your fundamental driving force. In addition to this, your values act as your career compass and are the standards of behaviour and ways of doing things that you think are correct in the way you live and work.
Why are they important?
Values are important because when you don't meet them at work you can feel disconnected, moreover, if they're being violated, you can feel unhappy at work.
How do you work yours out?
To determine your top values, consider your experiences, including those of happiness, pride, and fulfillment. Specifically identify when you felt really good, and really confident that you were making good choices.
An example of some values are:
authenticity
money
compassion
fun
boldness
adventure
achievement
wisdom
growth
beauty
creativity
security
Core values are one of the most important factors in a career pivot that feels good. That’s why they are a primary part of my Change Career with Clarity & Courage 1:1 Coaching Programme.
Write your top 3 – 5 values down. With these in mind, look at them against your current job, to start to give them context.
Values mean different things for different people and there are NO right or wrong values! Here is an example from two clients; both of them had freedom as one of their core values. However, freedom to client one, meant being in a job that they loved, and for the other freedom meant having autonomy over their work.
Working out if your values are met at work. If you're on a ‘good’ salary (whatever ‘good’ means to you), and one of your values is money (because you have certain outgoings or a specific lifestyle), then your value is being met. Another example could be that your core value is growth and yet you don't have regular development in your role; you might find a niggle or a lack of drive appearing in other areas of your work.
Know your strengths
When something feels easy, it’s because it comes naturally to you. However, you often miss your strengths because they feel so natural, so it’s easy to believe that ‘everyone can do it’, right?
If you’re interested in knowing your strengths, you can do a CliftonStrengths® (formerly StrengthsFinder®) test. This one costs £20 but free ones are out there if you google it. This is also a part of my Career Change with Clarity and Courage programme. A top tip when completing a strengths test: Don’t overthink each answer.
In short, knowing what you’re good at naturally - and therefore what your strengths are - will help you in discovering your dream job.
Look back over your old jobs!
Sometimes you need to look back to move forwards in the right way, because when you’re trying to find your dream job you are not starting from scratch. You have an array of experience and this can help you define what you do and don’t want
Firstly, think back over each job you’ve had and write a list of all the things you enjoyed doing and a list of, you guessed it, all the things you enjoyed less.
For example, previous jobs for me include; working with the military, working as a carer for the elderly and disabled, in a charity HQ, and in retail.
What I did enjoy: helping people, being busy, talking to people, growth & learning.
What I didn’t enjoy: high pressure, being too restricted by hours, being micromanaged.
When you look at this list, it will help you build on your non-negotiables and, more importantly, consider industries you may enjoy.
In conclusion, when you’re looking over your LinkedIn profile or CV, you should be able to start adding the experience you have to your list, and the experience of work you enjoyed and want to carry on doing.
Then you can start thinking about roles that contain these elements.
For example, I did all this work, and now I help women pivot in their career or set up their own side business. This is because I know I like helping people, I enjoy the freedom this job allows me, and one of my values is achievement and adventure.
If you have any questions or would like extra support, click here to book your FREE consultation.
DID YOU KNOW…
WORK CAN BE ENJOYABLE!
Like REALLY enjoyable!
If you want to find a job that makes you happy, fulfilled and gives you purpose, read how to join my Change Career with Clarity & Courage programme.
To download your free guide in how to start thinking about changing career with clarity & confidence, this is for you. download your free guide here.
Sarah is a Career Change Coach. She helps women breakthrough and pivot in their career. Whether you're not networking, developing your own work or side hustle! Stop feeling like you don’t know where to start and reach out!
Sarah has a Masters in Psychology and is both accredited by and a member of the British Psychological Society. She has experience working with the military and corporate sector in recovery, transition, leadership, and mentoring.
