Active job seekers tend to focus on making sure they fit a job, which is important, but just as important is making sure that the job fits you. Carole Martin, the Interview Coach™, advises that knowing “ … what you want in your next job will help you feel more confident about finding the right job … if you don’t know what you want, you will probably not recognize it when it is presented to you.”
Think About What You Want
Glassdoor offers a few questions to think about as you start your job search:
- Why am I job hunting?
- Where do I see myself a year from now?
- What path do I have to take to make this happen?
- What do I have to offer employers?
- What skills would I like to acquire/expand on?
- What type of company do I see myself in?
Michael Jones suggests 20 more questions to think about on the Hays Viewpoint blog .
Wants and Must-Haves
Chelsea Babin, from the Camden Kelly blog, suggests creating a must-have list and a wish list . These lists help you focus your job search and steer you closer to the job that you want.
Think about your wants and your deal breakers. Do you thrive in a smaller company? Would you rather work on executing tactics or are you ready to level up and take on a more strategic role? Do you need flexibility in your schedule, so you can spend time with your kids or take care of an elderly parent? Are professional development opportunities important to you?
In the Zone
Think about the times when you were “in the zone” at work – those moments when you were so engaged and motivated, you lost track of time. What projects or tasks were you working on? When you were working on these projects, what energized you? Was it the opportunity to lead, or did you like coordinating the details? Did you like working with data or working with people?
Fit is Important
When you are actively looking for a job, it’s tempting to apply for anything and everything that you might be a fit for. But remember, your enthusiasm for a position will shine during your interview – and so will a lack of enthusiasm. Defining what your next step should be will save you a lot of time and stress, energy that would be better applied to pursuing jobs that are a good fit for you – which is the ultimate goal, right? To find the best fit for you.
Make your lists and define your ideal work situation. Then visit Corps Team and find your best fit today.
