How To Find A Job You Love: 8 Steps To Your Dream Career

Plenty of people trudge through their careers without feeling connected to their work. They may take a job with an impressive title or salary but don't enjoy the role. Or they end up stuck in an industry because they trained for many years to join it. There's nothing wrong with either of these approaches, but equally, there's no shame in wanting more for yourself. Executive Coach and Career Strategist Buki Ishola uses the following mantra to remind herself and her clients that there are endless opportunities out there:

_{“I am not a tree” is a personal truth that drives me every day. It tells me I am not fixed to a spot/place/mindset/belief/ attribute. I can change. I can evolve. I do not have to keep attributes that are blockers to my growth and not serving me.”}

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Why is it worth finding a job you love? 

In case you need a nudge, here are some benefits to finding a job you love: 

_{Personal fulfilment}

Your job can be more than just a way to pay the bills. When you love what you do, work is no longer a chore; it becomes a source of joy and purpose. The perfect job should align with your passions and values, providing you with a profound sense of personal fulfilment. 

_{Better mental and physical health}

Finding a job you love is positive for your mind and body. It adds to your overall well-being rather than detracts from it. This meta-analysis describes clear correlations between high job satisfaction and improved health. Here’s the gist: 

• When job satisfaction is high, we can expect employees to experience fewer physical complaints such as headaches, dizziness, muscle pain, and digestive problems.
• When job satisfaction is high, we can also expect fewer instances of mental health problems like anxiety, depression, burnout, and self-esteem issues.

_{Enhanced motivation} 

There's nothing worse than feeling like you're going through the motions at work. But when you're passionate about your work, motivation comes naturally. You're more likely to be engaged in your tasks, seek growth opportunities, and strive for excellence. This benefits you and your employers, as studies reveal that happy employees are the key to business success. 

_{Greater job satisfaction and performance}

Research consistently shows that job satisfaction is closely tied to job performance. For example, a study by Oxford University's Said Business School found that happier employees are 13% more productive. And this makes sense—employees who love their jobs are likelier to excel, go the extra mile, and deliver outstanding results that could see them promoted. Even better, their enthusiasm for work can be infectious and positively impact the team. 

The great news: Job satisfaction is high in 2023. The Conference Board launched a job satisfaction study in 1987 and has repeated it regularly ever since. In 2023, 62% of people claimed to be satisfied with their jobs, 19% higher than in 2010. If you’re not yet in the majority category this year, let’s learn how to get you there. 

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8 steps to finding a job you love 

Landing a job you love won’t happen overnight. But it’s worth going through the following steps to improve your chances of finding that perfect match. 

_{1. Understand your values and passions} 

Before you hit the job boards or jump on LinkedIn, it pays to know what type of role you're best suited for. Nail down your career choice by identifying your core values and discovering your passions and interests.

‍Example: You might decide you love building relationships with people. Or you might prefer working behind the scenes on a project from idea to implementation. You may enjoy getting out of the office and exploring new places or cultures. 

List everything that springs to mind and put them in priority order to deliver the best chance of finding a job doing what you love.

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_{2. Assess your skills and strengths}

Match your preferences with a list of things you excel at. Perhaps you have fantastic attention to detail, which makes you an excellent researcher. Or maybe you're a whizz at problem-solving, which could be useful in an analytical role.

If nothing springs to mind, ask for a second opinion from those who have worked closely with you. Self-evaluation can be challenging, forcing us to pick up the mirror and be objective about our strengths. By enlisting help from current or former colleagues, a manager, or even friends and family, you'll have a more comprehensive list to work with. 

Brace yourself: This step can be pretty revealing, and there may be some surprises. You may realise your strengths don't match your current role, which is the nudge you need to find a job that aligns with them. Alternatively, if you enjoy your existing role you may upskill to become better suited to it. 

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_{3. Understand salary expectations}

In a Gallup survey, 64% of employees consider pay the most important factor in deciding whether to accept a job with a new organisation. This is understandable—we all have bills to pay, so it's essential that our ideal career covers our living costs, and then some. 

When researching potential careers, find out whether they meet your salary expectations. Unfortunately, not all job postings include salary band information, so you may need to do some digging using sites like Glassdoor, which publishes salaries ranges based on location, companies, and jobs. 

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_{4. Research and target your ideal job}

Now you’re armed with all the information you require about your dream job, the next step is to seek out organisations that align with your values and interests. But where to look? 

• Job posts: Look beyond the usual suspects, like Indeed, or Monster, to view a range of diversity job boards where you'll find some gems. 
• Social media: 91% of employers currently use social media during recruitment. What better reason to polish off your LinkedIn profile and optimise it using relevant keywords in your bio? For example, if you're hoping for a job as a People Manager, include relevant "people ops" or "HR" keywords in your bio. Depending on your current employment status, you might also consider publishing a post detailing the type of work you're looking for, or a Pulse article to show off your expertise. 
• Employer reviews: Platforms like Blind enable employees to post honest and anonymous reviews (including salary details) about the companies they work for. 
• Informational interviews: Be bold and reach out to people currently working in your dream job or a company you're interested in. Ask if they'd be open to a 20-minute call or virtual coffee; you'll gain valuable insights into the role and company culture. 
• Speculative pitching: Identify organisations you'd love to work for and send them a letter of introduction or your resume. Express your passion for their company and what you could bring to the table.

_{5. Customise your application materials} 

Templating your resume might save you some time if you’re churning out dozens of applications. But a personalised approach is more likely to hit the mark with your dream employer. 

Ideally, your prospective employer will follow skills-based recruitment processes, enabling you to demonstrate your strengths in the role. Use this opportunity to showcase your achievements, capabilities, and knowledge. Study the job description and tweak your application to reflect any essential skills the employer requires.

_{Remember: Every job application is an opportunity to make a great impression and stand out from the crowd. So, ensure your application materials reflect your passion and excitement for the role.} 

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_{6. Ace the job interview process}

There's some stiff competition out there during the job search process. FlexJobs reports 118 applications for every job opening, and only 20% will receive an interview. 

In an ideal world, a company’s hiring team will use a structured interview process, meaning that they'll ask each job seeker the same questions as the fairest approach to reviewing and comparing candidates during recruitment. 

But without knowing the format of your interview, it's best to prepare for a range of interview questions, including: 

• Behavioural or competency-based: Can you tell me about a time when you demonstrated problem-solving skills in the workplace?‍
• Situational: What would you do if you were faced with conflicting priorities in the workplace? ‍
• Case studies: Demonstrate your expertise by providing a real-life example of how you approached and solved a complex problem in the workplace. You can also mention the results or impact of your solution, as this showcases the value you can bring to their organisation.‍
• Technical: If applying for a technical role, be prepared for specific questions about your valuable skills and experience. Review any relevant technical knowledge and projects you have worked on, and be ready to discuss them in detail.‍
• General: Don't forget to come armed with an elevator pitch lasting 30 to 60 seconds, explaining your strengths, your dream career path, and why you want to work at the company. 

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_{7. Evaluate job offers}

If you're lucky enough to receive multiple job offers, it can be a head-scratcher to figure out your best career option. Think about your career goals, work-life balance priorities, and company culture before making a decision. Ask yourself:

• Will this role bring me closer to my long-term career aspirations?
• Does this organisation align with my values and work style?
• What are the opportunities for growth and development within the company?
• Is the salary and benefits package fair and competitive?
• Will this role provide a healthy work-life balance for me?
• What are my dealbreakers? 

Remember: Feel free to negotiate job offers if you feel the employer could improve certain aspects, such as salary, benefits, or flexibility. 

_{Consider the overall job satisfaction and fulfilment you will gain from a position and the potential for growth and opportunities within the company. Ultimately, choosing a job you love means balancing practical needs and personal fulfilment.}

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Additional Tips

• Take your time: Don't rush into accepting a job offer just because it's available. Take the time to carefully consider all aspects of the position and company before making a decision.
• Trust your instincts: If something doesn't feel right about a job offer or company culture, trust your gut and listen to any red flags that crop up during the interview process. 
• Stay positive: The job search process can be tough and rejection is common. However, staying positive and maintaining a growth mindset can help you stay motivated and focused on finding the job you love. Perseverance always pays off, so keep networking, building relationships, and applying to roles that excite you. 
• Celebrate your success: Once you've landed a job you love, recognise that this is the beginning of your journey towards a fulfilling and rewarding career. Keep setting goals and pushing yourself to grow and succeed in your chosen field.

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How to find a career you love with Spotlight

If working for a diverse and equitable organisation is one of your values, then Applied is the perfect platform to make this happen. We’re committed to using fair, skills-based hiring practices to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to be hired into a role they love, regardless of their background. 

Using features like skills-based shortlisting, cognitive testing, and resume scoring, we strip bias out of recruitment. Our approach allows you to confidently showcase your abilities and make a lasting impression with employers who value workplace DEI as much as we do.

Take the first step towards finding a job you love by signing up with Spotlight today!

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