When you love what you do, you’ll reap the rewards in many aspects of your life. However, finding your ‘dream job’ is much easier said than done, especially when you add compensation into the equation.
Some are lucky enough to have a clear idea of where their passion and talents lie; while others need to do a little digging to uncover a fulfilling career.
If you’re at a crossroads or wanting more out of your career, it could be time to grab the shovel and start some internal digging to find the things in life you’re most passionate about.
Here are our top tips to get you started.
Self-evaluate
The first step is to take a look at where you’re at. During a self-assessment, you should jot down what you like and dislike about your current job or previous jobs, along with what you enjoy doing most in your spare time. Ask yourself questions like –
What are the highlights and lowlights in my day?
What are the things I enjoy, but could be doing more of?
What gives me the greatest feeling of satisfaction?
These points can cover anything big or small, whether it’s working with your hands, solving problems, meeting new people or coming up with creative ideas. Make a note of everything you find satisfaction in.
Once you’ve created your list, try to identify any patterns. You’ll likely be surprised at what you find once things are written down.
Determine your strengths
Think about the hard and soft skills you’ve developed in your experience over the years. Have you undertaken any study or do you have any formal qualifications? Be sure to also consider any natural skills you’ve developed or tasks you feel confident completing.
Explore potential career paths
Do your research! Launching into a career you’re not 100% sure about can be a recipe for job dissatisfaction. When researching industries, look into the potential career paths. Will you be motivated to progress in this career long term?
Thing about what you like to share with others
Are there certain topics you love to share your knowledge on or teach others about? Next time you’re in a conversation and you feel yourself passionately expressing an opinion, consider whether this topic could lead you down an exciting career path.
Volunteer, intern or shadow
Most people are under the impression that only students and those with no industry experience are fit for ‘free’ work. However, this couldn’t be less accurate. You are never too old or too experienced to try something out before you make a committment. The best way to find out whether you’ll enjoy a job is to spend a day volunteering or shadowing.
This will remove any assumptions and ensure you have a clear idea of the daily requirements of the job.
Create a professional development plan
While mainly common in corporate settings or larger organisations, personal development plans can have a huge benefit when created on a personal level. It should include your long and short term goals, and your strengths and weaknesses. This plan will help to steer you down the right track and support the career decisions you need to make.
In addition, a personal development plan shows future employers that you take initiative, which is a huge advantage when pursuing your passion and applying for new roles.
Learn more about creating your plan here.
Where to next?
A career change doesn’t always mean starting from scratch. There’s a fair chance the skills and experience you’ve gained in the workforce could be useful in your future career. Learn more about how to use RPL to make a career change, or get in touch with the Skills Certified Australia team to discuss your goals.
Once you know what path you’re heading down, you can start researching the skills, experience and qualifications you’ll need to launch into your new career.
