How To Find a Job You Like

Sometimes a work environment may not suit you or you may not enjoy performing your duties at a particular job. This may mean looking for new opportunities. However, if you notice you repeatedly opt for jobs you don’t enjoy, you may need to examine your job-searching process. In this article, we list a few reasons you might have trouble finding a satisfying career and provide steps to help you find a suitable job.

Why you can’t find a job you like

If you can’t find a career you like, first try to figure out why. You can then change your approach and actions next time you’re searching for a new job. Here is a list of common reasons people don’t find suitable positions:

• Lack of qualifications: A common reason people remain in positions they find non-stimulating is a lack of qualifications. Many institutions offer evening classes and online courses so you can pursue a degree or certification in your spare time.
• Not exploring possibilities: People sometimes stay in jobs they don’t like because they’re not aware of all the possibilities that are available to them. For instance, a person may remain in an unsatisfactory occupation without considering the possibility of starting their own business.
• Incorrect priorities: If you notice you’re opting for jobs you don’t like, you may need to examine your priorities and what makes you happy. For instance, you may search and apply for impressive corporate positions, but you may thrive in a more creative or open role.
• Undervaluing yourself: Another reason you may not find a job you like is that you’re not applying for the jobs you really want. This could be because you think you lack experience or because you suspect you’ll be competing against more qualified candidates. However, it could benefit you to apply for a job even if you don’t think you have the qualifications.
• Money problems: One reason people remain in unsuitable positions is because of financial constraints. They may be reluctant to take a chance and leave a secure job, especially if they have family members to provide for.

Related: Defining Job Satisfaction

How to find a job you like

Here are a few steps you can take to find a job you may like:

1. Consider your personality

There are many criteria for job satisfaction. Apart from factors like your salary, job description and schedule, it’s also important that your job is well-suited to your personality. For instance, if you’re a highly energized person who likes to talk and socialize, consider occupations where you can use these traits to your benefit.If you’re not sure what your personality type is, there are many personality tests you can take. Here are two popular personality tests to consider:

• The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: This test classifies people into distinct personality types based on four categories: introversion or extroversion, sensing or tuition, thinking or feeling and judging or perceiving. The test shows your personality type by adding one letter from each category to produce a four-letter phrase, such as “INJF” or “ENFP,” which all have unique traits.
• The Eysenck Personality Inventory: This test measures personalities according to two categories, namely extroversion versus introversion and neuroticism versus stability. Apart from an “E” score that shows how extroverted you are and an “N” score that shows your level of neuroticism, the test also supplies a “lie” score that shows how much you’ve lied in the test in order to be socially acceptable.

Related: 15 Best Jobs for Introverts

2. Know your strengths

Occupying yourself with an activity that you’re good at means you may concentrate longer and work harder. For instance, if you have a pleasant singing voice, you may enjoy activities that involve singing, such as choir practice or writing your own songs, which can make you an even better singer. There are multiple career paths that involve singing or music, such as a singing teacher or a music therapist.

3. Take a career test

If you’re not sure what you’re good at or what type of jobs would suit you, you can complete a career test. These tests are valuable tools that analyze your values, personality, interests, goals and priorities and then suggest suitable careers based on these characteristics.CliftonStrengths, for example, is a career test that highlights your natural strengths and shows you how you can develop these to advance your career. At the end of the test, you receive a customized report that lists your five dominant traits and supporting materials and videos to guide you toward finding the perfect career.Read more: 8 Free Career Aptitude Tests for Adults

4. Inform yourself

Gathering as much information as possible about different jobs can increase your chances of finding a suitable career. You can, for instance, browse online for careers in fields that interest you or that you are qualified to work in. For example, if you have a flair for interior design, you could consider a career as a home decorating consultant. If you have a degree in chemistry, you can work as a flavorist, which involves creating natural and artificial flavors.

5. Reach out to other professionals

If you’re wondering what it’s like to work in a specific occupation, you could try to reach out to someone who’s currently working in that occupation. Social media platforms are useful tools for connecting with professionals who are working in fields that interest you. You can, for instance, follow them and comment on their posts, or you can send them a private message or mail to ask for guidance and advice. Perhaps somebody in your circle can provide you with useful information or contacts.

6. Try to gain experience

If you’re serious about changing your career, consider using your spare time to gain valuable experience. For instance, if your dream is to own a restaurant, offer your services for free to a local restaurant over the weekends. You can learn the front-of-house by acting as a server and can learn how the kitchen works by offering to help wash the dishes and clean the kitchen. By gaining practical experience in a work environment, you can quickly gauge whether the job is suitable for you.