Frustration and fatigue in the workplace are common, yet many people choose to ignore the signs that their careers are not what they want them to be, or should be. If you feel like you’re in this boat, perhaps it’s time to start looking at other career paths that will make you happier and more fulfilled but don’t know where to start, this guide will help you create a frustration-free career.
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What are my skills?
Every individual is unique, so it can be difficult to know where you should start when looking for the right career. But the best way to figure out your skills and interests is by assessing what you are good at. Whether that be communication, mathematical thinking, creative thinking, or something else entirely, try exploring your skill set on our Skill Map and seeing where there might be a career match. Once you find a few options that interest you, check them out by clicking through the Company Profiles page on ECS Unbiased. This will help you learn more about the company’s culture and what day-to-day life might look like if you took one of these jobs.
What do I want?
Knowing what you want out of your career is the first step to a successful professional life. We want our work lives to be happy and fulfilling, and there’s no reason they shouldn’t be. So with that in mind, how do we know if we’re on the right track? Here are some questions you can ask yourself when wondering whether you’re pursuing the right job or not.
Do I find my work intellectually stimulating? Does it push me out of my comfort zone? Am I excited about going to work every day? Is this really who I am at my core? Would I enjoy myself at this job even if nobody paid me for it? If you answer yes to these four questions, then chances are you’re on the right path.
Where is there an opportunity?
The environment we work in affects the way we think, feel, and behave. The perfect job for you might not exist yet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start looking for ways to create it. You’ll find different strategies for identifying your perfect career below, as well as tips for creating an extraordinary life on your terms by integrating design thinking into all of your pursuits.
Decide what to do now
With so many career options, it can be difficult to choose which path you want to take. Many people have difficulty deciding what they want from their career and would rather just start working. The path isn’t always easy, but it doesn’t have to be confusing or frustrating either. Here are some tips on how you can find your frustration-free career.
Be clear about your values
Before jumping into any type of work, think about what is important to you and how that impacts the way you approach decisions and challenges in life. Are one of your priorities creative expression? Connection with others? A sense of adventure? These are key considerations when considering where you should spend your time and effort as a professional.
Review progress
The more information you gather about the various career options out there, the easier it will be for you to decide what type of work environment suits your personality. If a job’s culture doesn’t align with your needs, or if they don’t offer enough hours or flexible working arrangements, consider continuing on your search.
Start with something you already know and love
Why do this? You don’t want to be wishing for what you could have been when the end of your career is looming before you. It can be difficult to find something new at this point in your life, so what about taking another look at your past? I feel that people often make the mistake of going for jobs they think will bring them happiness rather than happiness that’s already there waiting for them. Just because you didn’t love your first job doesn’t mean there isn’t one out there somewhere perfect for you.
Start doing something different
You deserve to work in an environment that will support you and your career. The good news is, that finding that type of culture doesn’t need to be difficult. Below are five simple steps you can take today to find a more satisfying, frustration-free career.
Start by researching how much the average person in your industry makes – both as salary and in total compensation (benefits, bonuses, equity)
Compare salaries across different industries – ideally with ones that are located near where you live or offer some sort of relocation package
Request an informational interview with someone in an industry you’re interested in – most people will have time for 20 minutes conversation over the phone or meeting for coffee
Find fulfillment
No matter what profession you are considering, it’s important to consider factors like environment, income level, and demand. Even if you don’t love your job now or get excited at the thought of it, make sure that the career aligns with your skill set. And even if you feel anxious about starting fresh in an industry that intimidates you, remember that we all have strengths and weaknesses – the key is finding a career where you feel fulfilled. We’ve all had those jobs or internships where we feel like we’re wasting our time. Don’t be afraid to use this as fuel for change Doing what scares us most is how we grow as individuals.