Finding a job you enjoy is a lot like moving into your dream home or organising a wedding. It requires careful planning, a lot of preparation, and a whole lot of commitment.
It is only fair that your job search efforts reward you with a career you love, right?
Here we have compiled a list of inside tips for finding a job you will love.
Consider what works for you
Considering what works for you is a great place to start when finding a job you love. It sounds like a simple exercise, but there are a few things to consider. What job would fit your lifestyle and schedule? Are there any considerations needed at work? What kind of work would you enjoy?
These can be tricky to answer, so here is one strategy for finding the answers you are looking for.
First, think about the activities in your life recently which have brought you some satisfaction or enjoyment. There are sources to help you with this, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.
This test helps indicate your personality traits and recommends careers based on your results.
Second, what are your essentials? The things in your life you can’t change?
For someone living with a disability, injury, health, or mental health condition, this may be something that will require more attention.
Thinking about what considerations you may need within the workplace is vital, and it is important to remember that reasonable adjustments in the workforce can be made.
If you are still struggling to consider what works for you, asking family or friends what they think is a good job for you is a good way to safely gauge how other people see you.
When finding a job, nobody’s opinion is more important than yours, but sometimes we overlook our best qualities.
Family and friends can help better inform your decision for finding a job you love.
Research the organisation you like
It is a great idea to research the business you are interested in.
The job description may sound terrific, but what about the company itself?
What is the company culture like? Is it formal or casual? What is the work schedule like? Is it flexible? Is the number of hours you’ll be expected to work a fit for your personal life?
Spending time reading what employees have to say about the company on LinkedIn and Google reviews is a way to answer these questions.
Prepare and upskill
If your dream job requires you to do some upskilling, it’s time to start preparing.
First, consider what transferrable skills you have, and make the most of them. Even if you don’t have the papers to prove it, recognition of prior learning (RPL) can help you turn your experience into a formal qualification.
If you need to do additional training or study, be sure to research thoroughly what you can get with each qualification. There’s nothing worse than wasting your time and money on the wrong training.
Volunteering is a great way to gain some work experience and figure out whether this career is something you want to do. Step into different worlds, take wrong turns, cross off dead ends, and better understand where your interests lie.
Make sure the job is a good fit
If you are offered a position, carefully evaluate the job offer. Remember, nothing is final until it is in writing. Before you sign the dotted line, ask yourself some important questions.
- Do you really want this job?
- Will you be happy doing it?
- Will it boost your career?
- Will it give you the flexibility or work/life balance you need?
- Is the salary what you expected?
- Can you negotiate a higher salary?
- Are the employee benefits sufficient for your needs?
- What are the hours like?
- Can reasonable adjustments be made in the workplace?
If you have any questions about the job, now is the time to ask.
Connect with an employment service like EPIC Assist
It can be tough to do all these things alone, but there is an even easier way.
Disability Employment Services (DES) providers like EPIC Assist (EPIC) are here to make the employment journey as smooth as possible.
With more than 31 years of experience, EPIC helps people with a disability, injury, health, or mental health condition to find and maintain work.
When you connect with us, our career counselling can help you every step of the way – from discovering and researching career options, to applying for the right training and jobs, to supporting you on-the-job and helping you stay employed.
Our services are completely free and personalised to your individual needs.
EPIC can also help you in accessing reasonable adjustments in the workplace.
What are reasonable adjustments?
Reasonable adjustments are changes to a workplace or role to remove barriers that prevent people with disability from succeeding in their role. These adjustments may be temporary or permanent and designed to optimise a work process, procedure, or environment.
Conclusion
Even if you do all the right things, not all jobs will work out the way you want. However, you will have a better chance of making a suitable match if you take the time to carefully consider each step of the job search.
If you are looking for extra support finding work with a supportive employer contact EPIC today.
EPIC has service centres in Queensland, Northern New South Wales, and Tasmania and is committed to helping you find a job you love.
