If you’re currently feeling stuck in your job search, you’ve come to the right place. Oftentimes, people start their job search without a clear vision of what they’re truly looking for. The question what do I want? can be a daunting one, but it is important that you ask it. This is your career! So before you start polishing your resume, networking, and applying for jobs, get honest with yourself about your dream gig. This will set the tone for everything that follows. Here are some questions and tips to get the ball rolling.
Go Deep Within Yourself
- What are my greatest strengths and differentiators?
- What are some accomplishments I am most proud of?
- What am I most passionate about?
- What are my hobbies?
- If money wasn’t a concern, how would I want to spend my time?
- What compliments do I receive the most?
- When was I the happiest in my career?
- What motivates me?
The answers to these questions will help you identify possible industries, job roles, and maybe even a side hustle to pursue. They will also allow you to set some parameters around what you definitely don’t want to do which can be just as valuable to know!
Meditation
We can’t stress this one enough. You can’t tune into what you want without drowning out the constant noise and distraction of life. Try it for five to ten minutes a day to really listen to yourself. Spending quiet time alone can lead to major breakthroughs. While an ongoing practice is ideal, we know it isn’t always sustainable so do what you can. If you’re not sure where to start, try the Headspace App or guided meditations on YouTube.
Journaling
Our minds churn out 60,000 – 80,000 thoughts a day. No wonder we feel overwhelmed sometimes. Journaling can be a really effective way to organize and reflect on those ideas. Grab some paper, your favourite pen, and jot down every job you’ve ever imagined yourself doing even if it seems unachievable. Scratch that — especially if it seems unachievable because the truth is, you can do anything you put your mind to. After you’ve got your list, spend some time researching requirements and experience. You might just discover you’re more qualified than you realize!
Break Down Your Goals
Achieving goals can feel impossible when you don’t even know where to start. Nothing happens overnight. This is where a simple action plan comes in handy. Write down your goal and work backwards. Break down the process into small, attainable steps. Not only will this do wonders for your productivity, you’ll also benefit from those hits of dopamine every time you check something off your to-do list and get one step closer to reaching your goal.
Just do it!
Nike said it best. Once you take the time to listen to yourself and formulate that action plan, you’ll be all the more prepared for your job hunt. There’s no better feeling than aligning your actions with your goals. So what are you waiting for?
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Are you currently in a career rut and looking for individualized advice? Reach out to our career coach Jen Narayan for help developing your job search strategy.
With gratitude 🌹
Jen Rose Narayan, Career + Purpose Coach
