Is There Really a Career Match for Everyone?
In honor of Valentine’s Day, we ponder the question: Is there is a perfect career match for everyone? If there is a perfect career match for all, then everyone would be employed and fulfilled; this is not the case though. Is it that we are looking for ‘career love’ in all the wrong places? Just like romantic love, it’s a matter of preparation and timing to make the perfect career match.
Do you remember the first time you fell in love? You could not sleep at night because your mind was racing just thinking of the possibilities ahead. Getting your dream job generates the same feeling. You can’t wait to dig in and make a difference. Sounds dreamy, but first we must get the job. In the case of romantic love, we don’t dare rely on fate. We make ourselves attractive, we network, and we place ourselves in the right place at the right time. How do we make the perfect career match?
Making the Match
1.) Career Discovery: Clarify your goal by investigating your career. Like a love interest, sometimes we idealize an occupation only to discover it’s not a match. Perform online research on sites such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook and arrange opportunities to intern or job shadow. Consider taking a personality assessment if you feel that would help increase your understanding of self.
2.) Education & Training: Study sample job postings and talk to industry insiders to determine the education and skills required to be successful in your dream career. If you are not qualified for the career, you will not be a match. There may be some limitations based on our natural talents and aptitude. However, often there is a close match. If you did not get into medical school, perhaps you are better qualified to be a patient educator. The qualities that attracted you to a dream career as a doctor may be fulfilled as a patient educator.
3.) Dedicated Job Search: As a reader of the CareersDoneWrite.com blog, you are aware of the many elements of a successful job search. To make a career connection, you can’t skimp on any steps in your job search. The major steps include resume preparation, preparation of online profiles, networking, cold calling, interview practice, proactive approach, professional dress, and positive attitude.
These three steps seem so simple- right? Yet, not every candidate can make a match. If we analyze each candidate without a match, we would find that one or more of the steps need to be re-visited. If you have been out of work for many months, maybe it is time to determine which step is your obstacle to career love. If you are unsure, I am here to help you ‘Find the Love.’
Happy Valentine’s Day! Here’s to your success and the LOVE OF CAREER!