HOW TO IDENTIFY THE RIGHT JOB

The right job enhances your life. It is personally fulfilling because it nourishes the most important aspects of your personality. It suits the way you like to do things and reflects who you are. It lets you use your innate strengths in ways that come naturally to you, and it doesn’t force you to do things you don’t do well (at least, not often!).

How can you tell if you’re in the right job? Here are some general guidelines. If you’re not employed, keep them in mind as you search for your ideal job. If you are employed, see how your present job measures up.

If you’re in the right job, you should:

• Look forward to going to work

• Feel energized (most of the time) by what you do

• Feel your contribution is respected and appreciated

• Feel proud when describing your work to others

• Enjoy and respect the people you work with

• Feel optimistic about your future

It’s important to recognize that there are as many different paths to career satisfaction as there are happily employed people. There is no one “ideal job” to which everyone should aspire. But there is an ideal job for you — you just need to master the skills necessary to find it.

There are an infinite number of variables in the workplace. To achieve career satisfaction, you need to figure out what your preferences are and then find a job that accommodates them. Some jobs provide warmth and stability; some are risky and challenging. Some are structured, some aren’t. One job may require a lot of socializing, while another may require quiet concentration. Do you know exactly what kind of job suits you best? Have you ever even stopped to think about it?

Rod Colon