In today's highly competitive job market, it is not easy to find a job. Having a job that you enjoy and that is satisfying will be even more difficult. However, by exploring what your interests are and taking the time to build your skills and credentials, you can start the career path that's right for you! Even if you currently have a job you don't like, you can still find ways to maximize your results while looking for a better job.
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Method 1 of 4: Explore Interests
Step 1. Make a list of activities you enjoy to help identify your interests
Before you find a satisfying job, you need to take some time to reflect and determine what you are looking for. Sit down and write down all the activities you enjoy, even if they seem very mundane or trivial. Almost any interest can relate to a career!
- For example, if you are passionate about gardening, this can apply well to jobs related to horticulture, the art of gardening, or plant conservation.
- See also the subjects you enjoy most at school. For example, maybe you like biology or really like history. If so, you can pursue a career in one of these fields.
Step 2. Identify past projects that excite you
Think about the things you do at work or at school. Is there a standout project that makes you look special? If anything, it could mark something you could develop in a career that includes similar work.
- For example, if you had the good opportunity to interview classmates for a social research project in high school, you might be a good fit as a journalist.
- Think about the aspect of the project that excites you. For example, maybe you enjoy designing a poster for a project for your chemistry class, even though you might not really like the lesson. Maybe that means you're talented in graphic design.
Step 3. Evaluate your specific skills and strengths
In addition to your interests, the skills you have play an important role in determining your ideal career. Count the things that stand out in you, both specific skills and more general strengths.
- For example, you have the advantage of being a good leader in a group or being able to manage a place.
- More specific skills could be the ability to speak a second language or use software to edit videos.
Step 4. Take a career interest test
There are various exams you can take to help find out what your special interests, strengths, and possible career paths are. If you're at school, ask your supervising counselor or academic adviser if you can take one of these tests on campus. Otherwise you can take some of these tests on the internet for free.
For example, the Holland Occupational Themes test is available free on its website. Search for “Holland Code test” or “RIASEC test”. The test will ask you to assess the extent to which you enjoy various assignments and help you identify different types of careers that match your interests
Step 5. Check your values to see what's important to you
Knowing your core values will help you identify what you want in life and work. Think about the things that mean the most to you. What work can you do to support these key values in your life?
- For example, if you find it valuable to help others, a career in healthcare or education might be for you. If you are a competitive person or are passionate about testing your physical limits, you might be a good fit to be an athlete or fitness coach.
- If you don't know what your core values are, try doing a values assessment. Do a search on the internet with the keyword “list of values of life” to find this value assessment.
Step 6. Talk to a career counselor about jobs that match your interests
If you're still in school, there may be a counselor or career advisor who can help you choose a career path that fits your skills, interests, and personality. If you're not a student at the school, do a search on terms like “career counselors near you” to find career counselors in your area.
Unfortunately, professional career counseling can be expensive. Many career coaches charge up to IDR 250,000,00/hour for their services. However, you can get free or affordable career counseling services through your local government agency or non-profit organization in your area
Step 7. Ask mentors for advice and insights on career paths
If you have a teacher, friend, relative, co-worker, or boss who has had a special impact on your life, they may be able to provide valuable advice. Ask them if they can spare some time for you to have a heart-to-heart talk about your future.
You might say something like, “I want to make a career change, and I often consider what I want to do from now on. I want to start building my own business, just like you. Can we have lunch together next week, then you tell me how you started your business?”
Method 2 of 4: Developing Skills and Qualifications
Step 1. Earn a postgraduate degree if it is necessary for the job you are interested in
Some jobs call for an advanced degree, such as a postgraduate degree, doctorate, or even a more specialized bachelor's degree. A postgraduate degree can help you land a higher paying job. If you're interested in pursuing a postgraduate degree, read through the entry requirements for the program you're interested in so you can start preparing ahead of time.
For example, some postgraduate humanities degrees require you to pass a reading test in a second language (eg French or German). You can first learn the language yourself or study at the undergraduate level
Step 2. Look for specific certifications to give you an edge
Some jobs require professional certification or licensure, whereas others prefer candidates who have certificates even if they don't require them. Equip yourself with a certificate or take continuing education classes to make your resume more attractive.
For some careers, you may only need a certification program to qualify. For example, in the United States, you can become a medical assistant, paralegal, or website developer just by joining a certification program for 6 months
Step 3. Gain experience by doing internships whenever possible
Internships are designed to give you work experience when you are just starting a new career. If you're still in school or college, talk to a counselor or academic adviser about how to apply for an internship. With an internship, your resume will look great and help you build practical skills that will help you in your career.
- In some cases, an internship can be a transition to getting a permanent job at the same company.
- Unfortunately, many internships are unpaid, so not everyone can take advantage of them. If you're a student but an internship isn't a great option for you, find out if your school or college has a practical work program so you can get paid work experience.
- Some of the common types of internships include research internships (where you do research for companies), job shadowing (i.e. you observe a professional employee doing their job), and paid or unpaid internships, where you do certain types of work that professionals do according to your requirements. your field.
Method 3 of 4: Finding a Good Job
Step 1. Look at job vacancies websites that match your field to find good opportunities
If you're looking for job openings, you may be able to find job opportunities that you might otherwise have missed if you didn't take advantage of websites with specialized job openings. Look for websites specific to your field where you can check job announcements.
- For example, if you're interested in becoming a website developer, you can find specific job listings on websites like Stack Overflow Jobs, Dice, or GitHub.
- You can also find career-specific lists on the websites of professional associations, such as the American Medical Writers Association or the American Alliance of Museums. In some cases, you will need to be a member in order to access job uploads.
Step 2. Take part in job fairs to find opportunities and build connections
You probably won't walk out of the career market with a new job, but it's a great opportunity to meet people and learn about job opportunities in your area. Do a “nearest job market” search for upcoming events and find out how to get involved.
Campuses or universities sometimes host job fairs and exhibitions for students and recent graduates. You may be able to find a fairly large job fair that is open to the public
Step 3. Ask for recommendations from people in your network
One of the best ways to get job opportunities is through people in your professional network. Ask your acquaintances if anyone is in need of labour. They will want to be professional references or have good things to say about you!
Coworkers, bosses, teachers, and friends who work in your area of interest are good potential references
Step 4. Take advantage of professional networking websites like LinkedIn
LinkedIn is an excellent resource for connecting with other professionals in your chosen field. You can also find job postings, educational articles, and other resources to help you advance in your career. Create an account and use it to connect with colleagues, give each other references, or promote your skills to potential employers. Be sure to update your profile so that it reflects your current skills and interests.
While LinkedIn is a well-known professional networking platform, it's not the only website. Create accounts on similar websites like Xing, Opportunity, or Shapr to expand your reach and explore as many opportunities as possible
Step 5. Volunteer with organizations in your field to become more familiar with the terrain
If you have the time and energy, volunteering is a great way to build skills and connections that can open up opportunities. If there are other companies or organizations in your area that have work related to your field, visit their website or contact them to ask if they have volunteer opportunities.
- For example, if you are interested in getting into the public health industry, you could volunteer at a local hospital or register with an organization like PMI (Indonesian Red Cross).
- Even if you can only volunteer for 2-3 hours on a weekend, you can still network and add experience to your resume!
- Go to websites such as indorelawan.org or VolunteerMatch.org to look for volunteer opportunities in your community.
Step 6. Ask for professional help to create a curriculum vitae or job application letter if you haven't found a job yet
The job market is so competitive that half the battle is getting someone to look at your cover letter. If you've sent a lot of job applications and haven't gotten a response, ask a mentor or professional career counselor for advice. They will give you tips on how to make you stand out. You can even hire a professional resume writer.
For example, reformatting your resume will look tidier and adding some skills you didn't think would make a difference
Method 4 of 4: Finding Value in Your Current Job
Step 1. View your current job as a learning and growth opportunity
Most people don't get their dream job right away. For many, finding a fulfilling job is a lifelong journey. If you already have a job and you're not satisfied, find ways to make the most of it. For example, you can:
- Think about the skills you learned from your current job, which you can apply to future jobs.
- Make a list of people you can ask for references for future job opportunities.
- Look for learning opportunities in the negative aspects of your job. For example, what signs should you pay attention to when you are about to interview for a position? Have you learned how to deal with difficult coworkers?
Step 2. Focus on aspects of your job that you enjoy
Make a list of things you enjoy about your job, whether it's spending time with coworkers or you can relax when filing. You may also need to make sure that your work has a positive impact on individuals and society.
- For example, maybe you find the details of your work boring, but you feel satisfied knowing that you are helping others.
- You also need to see that your current job can fulfill a personal goal, for example you can save enough money to buy something you want or help support your family.
Step 3. Set work-related goals to make your work more meaningful
Setting goals can keep you focused and help you feel more challenged and fulfilled. Think about what you want to get out of the job, whether it's a better performance review or experience that could lead you to another job. As you work towards your goals, be sure to celebrate and acknowledge your progress.
- Goals that are too big and unclear can be frustrating. Set SMART goals which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound or goals that are specific, measurable, possible to achieve, relevant, and have a time limit. For example, instead of saying, “I'll be getting a better job soon,” you could set a goal of sending out a number of job applications by the end of the month.
- Not all of your goals have to be big or long term. You can also set small, short-term goals for yourself, such as rearranging files or getting some work done for the day. Even meeting a small goal can make you feel satisfied!
Step 4. Find satisfying things outside of work to create balance
Even if you manage to land your dream job, you will still need to balance work with other aspects of your life in order to be truly satisfied. Whenever the opportunity arises, make time for other meaningful things, such as:
- Running a hobby
- Relax with friends and family
- Volunteer for what you are interested in
- Taking care of yourself physically (e.g., exercising, eating well, and getting enough sleep)
- Doing homework and other obligations in your life
Step 5. Try to build meaningful relationships with coworkers
Whatever your job, having good relationships with team members can make a big difference in job satisfaction. Take the time to get to know your colleagues, supervisors, or people who work under you.
- This can be done by enjoying each other's company outside of work hours or simply chatting while you work.
- Building strong professional relationships is also a good way to grow your network. One of your coworkers might be helping you get a better job in the future!
