Although many hard-working people decide to choose their career paths based on the wealth that they can accumulate and the status of the job, it is much more important to find a job that you enjoy and can progress in throughout your life. Many people can spend a third of their lives at work, so it is important to be able to find a career that you can find personally fulfilling and meaningful in the long-term.

1.   Get the Right Qualifications

A step that will ensure that you find the job that you have always wanted is to get the right qualifications. Even if you believe that you will struggle to compete with other applicants during the job-seeking process, being fully qualified will give you a greater opportunity to pursue the career that you love. Not only this, but through a qualification you will also be able to acknowledge whether this career path is enjoyable and the right one for you, as well as gain more knowledge about what the role entails. Many roles have certain qualifications that you must have before you can apply for any position in a particular sector, such as the legal sector and that of the social sciences. Laurier can help you to prepare for you for your dream job through their online police program, which focuses on leadership roles and the practicalities of the police force in Canada.

2.   Turn Your Hobbies into a Career

If you long for a career that you will love, but are not certain of what that job might be, then you should stop to think about your hobbies or those that you enjoyed as a child. These may be able to signal where your passions lie and the associated jobs that are available with these different hobbies. For instance, if you love art, you may consider becoming a graphic designer, whereas if you were interested in sports, you could think about becoming a personal trainer or sports coach. If there are no jobs associated with your career on job listings, you should consider setting up your own business from your hobby, innovating your interests into a way to make money. For people interested in crafts and homemade goods, for example, there are many online marketplaces such as Etsy where anyone is able to sell the goods that they have created.

3.   Have a Good Work/Life Balance

Many individuals struggle to enjoy their work and their workplace due to a lack of time off or stressful working conditions. However, to make sure that you are able to enjoy your career, you need to establish a good work/life balance. You can do this by setting certain times in which you will do work, such as in the office, and ensuring that you do not take any home with you. You should also make sure that you take all of your holiday allowances and use this to spend time with family or recharging for the next working week. Additionally, you should always make sure that you only take on the responsibilities that you feel comfortable with, and visit the doctor if you are having constant feelings of stress at work or at home. If you are struggling to make the normal working hours of 9-5 work for you, you should also think about the merits of freelancing or remote work, whereby you can work in any location around your other priorities, and only take on as much work as you feel capable with.  

4.   Ask Your Manager About Progression

To many people, a meaningful career also includes opportunity for progression as this gives them a boost in morale and confidence. Employees have a tendency to grow unhappy if they believe that there is no chance for them to change roles or have an increased responsibility in the future. If this is the case, you should ask your manager about the potential opportunities that there are for progression, especially if another role is more suitable for your skills. Many workplaces will have progression and career-building schemes that will be able to train you in leadership or management roles in sight of promoting you in the future.

5.   Find a Meaningful Job

As the old saying goes, money can’t buy you happiness. When considering what careers that you may love, it is important to establish whether you are looking for a meaningful job rather than one that can provide you with extensive wealth. For many, a meaningful job is much more enjoyable than one that is extremely well paid. If this is the case, you should look at jobs in the service, social, or health sectors, as these jobs focus on helping others and making a positive impact on our society. 

6.   Consider Your Personal Skills

Due to the satisfaction of success and praise, it is a fact that most people enjoy doing the things that they are good at. Then, when you are trying to find a job that you love, it is important to factor your personal skills into the equation. For instance, if you are good at communicating, you may be able to look for translation, business-to-business or liaison roles which allow you to interact with a vast number of people on a daily basis. If you are looking to improve your personal skills, you should seek out training courses that focus on your weakest points, and you should use these to broaden your skill base and have a more well-rounded resume.

7.   Have a Back-Up PlanFinding your passion does not mean that you will be able to find the job of your dreams, especially if it is in a competitive market. Then, you should always have a stable back-up plan that you will be able to implement after one or two years of searching for your dream career. This will enable you to progress in a role until you are able to find a job that you love, gaining vital experience and transferrable skills.