For most people, the perfect job encompasses all of their expectations. It checks every box including a good wage, doing something enjoyable, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. However, most folks settle for a job that pays the bills instead of finding the perfect job that provides a career path and fulfillment.
While finding the perfect job may seem impossible, it is much easier than you might believe. Finding the ideal job boils down to understanding what that “perfect” job truly means. From there, finding that coveted employment requires focus and dedication. So, here are three key reasons why the perfect is quite real and not a magical unicorn.
Reason #1: Understanding the difference between a job and a career
Finding the perfect job begins with understanding the difference between a job and a career.
Most folks choose a job instead of building a career. As a result, workers often feel disappointed with their current employment.
What is the difference between a job and a career?
In short, a job is employment that provides a paycheck to pay the bills. These are jobs that often do not lead anywhere. Nevertheless, they provide income to support the household.
On the other hand, a career is employment that fulfills a purpose and provides useful experience. Please note that careers often begin with low-paying entry-level positions. These positions, however, are merely a gateway to a much broader menu of employment opportunities. Careers allow folks to engage in their life’s passion.
Finding the starting point
The starting point of your career is to realize if your current employment fulfills your life’s passion in any way. This realization is key as doing a job solely for a paycheck is a tell-tale sign that you are not fulfilling your life’s passion.
Building a career begins with finding employment that fulfills your life’s passion in one way or another. A simple but effective way to find career fulfillment is working with a company that shares your core values. When your company mirrors your values and vice-versa, you can find a purpose within the organization’s grander scheme. You find a sense of purpose while delivering value regardless of your role.
Reason #2: Finding a lifetime endeavor
Finding the perfect job means discovering something you truly enjoy doing in life.
A “job” does not necessarily represent something you would like to do for the rest of your life.
Think about that for a moment.
When people say, “it’s just a job,” they mean that it’s nothing especially meaningful to them. Therefore, a job does not always fulfill a special purpose in a person’s life.
In contrast, a career is about engaging in a lifetime endeavor. When folks find a lifetime endeavor, they look beyond a mere job. For instance, being a “doctor” is a job. “Saving lives” is a lifetime endeavor. This point is where priorities significantly shift.
When you aim to save lives, you’re not only thinking about being a doctor. There are many other jobs and professions where you can save lives. Consequently, your endeavor goes beyond a job description. Your purpose is to help people in any way you can.
Finding your lifetime endeavor
Your lifetime endeavor is often linked to your passion. In other words, your life’s passion is an inner desire that propels you to perform a duty. Think about brave people such as police officers and firefighters.
After all, why would anyone risk their lives every day?
Because they are passionate about their purpose!
Of course, you don’t need to put your life on the line to show your passion. Passion manifests itself every time you put your heart into what you do. It doesn’t matter what it is. It doesn’t matter if you work in a bank or on a fishing boat. When you do what you love, you become truly passionate. At that point, a job becomes a career. You are then willing to go through everything it takes to find fulfillment in everything you do.
Now, you might be thinking, “how do I know my job is fulfilling?”
The easiest way to answer this question is by defining your job satisfaction. If you feel happy doing what you do, you’re on the right track. Conversely, if you’re unhappy with your current job, you may want to assess your priorities. Perhaps the time has come for a change.
Reason #3: Identifying defining moments
Finding the perfect job is about recognizing that aha! moment when you realize you’ve found your true calling.
On the surface, finding the perfect job may seem difficult. However, there are defining moments in your life where you discover your life’s true passion. These moments may come at any time, often unexpectedly. Thus, it’s crucial to recognize these moments when they occur. Identifying these critical moments can help you realize your life’s true passion.
Spotting key moments
When looking to spot those key moments, it helps to frame your thoughts. Consider this situation:
You’re unhappy with your current job. You complain about it every day. One day, you’re in a store during a robbery. As you help victims in the store, you have an “aha!” moment. You’re upset about the crime in your community, and you want to do something about it. That’s when you realize that you want to get into law enforcement.
In this example, law enforcement does not necessarily mean one type of job, such as a police officer. There are plenty of jobs within law enforcement that enable you to help others in your community. Therefore, finding the perfect job boils down to finding employment that matches your interests and skillset within the law enforcement field.
Career paths can be found in unexpected places and at unusual times. There is no “perfect age” or “right time” to discover one’s true passion. This discovery can happen early in life. For some, it comes later in life. The key is to keep an open mind and seize the opportunity when the time comes. In some instances, it might require a career pivot. Ultimately, you will be much happier to start from scratch and do something fulfilling as opposed to staying on an unhappy course.
How can TalentZök help you find your passion?
At TalentZök, we have a passion. Our passion is to match the right people with the right companies. We know how wonderful it is when your company matches your values, objectives, and purpose. We strive to help folks, just like you, find their career path. Please take a moment to learn more about how we can help you find a great opportunity at an amazing company today!
This post is made available for informational purposes only to provide a general understanding of the topics discussed herein. It is not intended to provide specific business, legal, or professional advice and should not be relied on as such. TalentZök is not liable or responsible for any damage or loss arising from any reliance placed on such materials.
