It isn’t impossible, but you have to be prepared.
Maybe you love to brew coffee. Perhaps embroidery is your favorite thing. It’s even possible you want to dedicate your life to raising alpacas.
Whatever your passion, if it results in a product or service, there’s someone out there making a living off it.
However, before you quit your job to paint or to open your own clothing boutique, there are a few things to keep in mind.
You’ve been seeking employment for a while and you’ve become desperate enough to accept the first opportunity that comes along. Now that you have accepted the position, it has proven to be undesirable and doesn’t match your skills. You may be miserable and feel as though you are in a career rut, but don’t let this mistake steer you from your ultimate goal. Instead, build upon the opportunity and look at the failure as a catapult to move forward into the career or a new position with your current employer. This could end up being the break you’ve been waiting for.
So, take a step back and look at your options; you may consider staying and making it work for you. Create a plan with a timeline to help keep you focused on your next steps, whether your decision is to stay or seek employment elsewhere. Having a strategy in place will help shift your mindset away from panicky thinking and give you a clearer vision as to whether the job is doable or not.
Here are some questions you may want to ponder:
However, anxious you may be to escape your current job, keep in mind what makes you the professional you are. A single choice doesn’t have to define your entire career. Even if your successes don’t occur in your current position, don’t negate earlier achievements just because they are from previous years—use them to draw upon. Sell your expertise. Experience goes a long way.
We’ve complied four Movin’ On Up articles that you may find helpful while overcoming a bad career decision:
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
At some point in time, you may feel stuck in your career or job search, and you’re not alone. While many experience this in their professional lives, knowing what’s holding your career back is key to helping you move forward on your desired career path. Below, you’ll find three common things that could be holding your career back and how to work through them.
1. Out-of-date skills
One thing that may be holding back your career is your skills—or lack thereof. If you’ve been stuck in the same position for too long, it might be time to evaluate your skill set and see if there’s room for improvement. Ask your employer if they know of any training or professional development opportunities. When your skills are up to date, your chances of landing a new or different job increase.
2. Fear of change
The thought of a new job can cause anyone anxiety, but it shouldn’t keep you from advancing your career. Remember the words of hockey great, Wayne Gretzky, who once said, “You’ll miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Getting out of your comfort zone can open new doors, allow you to see new opportunities, and help you move forward when you feel stuck. A fear of change can hold your career back, but often, change can be positive if you only take the chance. It’s all about perspective.
3. Waiting for your dream job
According to an article on TheMuse.com, “studies have shown that in the realm of jobs, people who spent too much time imagining their dream jobs were actually shooting themselves in the foot.” The thought behind this is that these people focused too much of their time imagining the big picture of their future without focusing on what it would take to get there. And, while you shouldn’t give up on your dream job, it’s important to have a real-world plan to achieve it.
How do you make sure you don’t get stuck in a career rut? Let us know in the comments section below!
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
At some point in your life, you’ve likely been asked the question, “What is your dream job?” In fact, sometimes recruiters will even ask candidates about it in an interview. Because everyone is likely to have a different answer, we wanted to know what Movin’ On Up readers would say their dream job looks like.
The Results
According to our poll, “challenging or meaningful work” was the number one characteristic of respondents’ dream jobs garnering 29% of the votes. “Working from home” (22%) was the second most popular option, followed by “growth opportunities within the organization” (17%) and “friendly workplace” (16%).
Fewer respondents selected “frequent travel” (5%) and “no travel” (1%) as dream job descriptors, while 6% of respondents said they are still figuring out what their dream job looks like.
Readers were also able to select the “other” option and provide their own responses. Of the 4% who selected that option, responses included:
How often have you been asked about your dream job in an interview? Let us know in the comments section below.
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
No matter what your dream job is, most people have similar expectations of that position they desire. And, while you should absolutely pursue your dreams, it’s important to manage those expectations and balance them with reality.
Expectation: I will love everything about my dream job.
The reality is there are ups and downs in every job. Even the most seemingly perfect dream job has the potential for trade-offs, especially when you’re starting out in that dream role. While it’s important to not limit yourself in your job search based on your mental list of “must-haves,” be sure you know what your priorities are. Is a flexible work schedule on your dream job wish list? Is it more important than another aspect? It’s important to be realistic about your dream job and understand it may not encompass everything you desire, but it may have enough to keep you fulfilled.
Expectation: There is only ONE dream job for me.
The reality is that there are a variety of jobs you might thrive in, so don’t limit yourself! What you think of now as your dream job may change in the next five to 10 years. Think back to what you wanted to be when you were in kindergarten. Is it the same as what you want now? If it is, that’s great! If not, don’t worry about force-fitting yourself into just one dream job. You may find your true dream job during the search for what you originally desired. Keeping an open mind is important when pursuing a dream.
Expectation: I won’t have to change much/anything to get my dream job.
The reality is you may have to relocate, learn a new skill, or make some sacrifices to land your dream job. The probability of attaining that job is low until you step out of your comfort zone. While it would be nice to step into your dream job on the first try, it usually takes years of hard work and determination. In the meantime, use your current job to build your skills and continue pursuing that dream of yours.
You may also quickly realize that your dream job isn’t possible where you live. Determine what it will take to get where you want to go. If relocating immediately isn’t an option, take advantage of what you have now to move along your path toward that dream career.
Have you landed your dream job and been faced with a reality that doesn’t match your expectations? Share with us in the comments section below!
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
Whether you’ve just started searching for a job, are looking for a change, or have been in the workforce for years, landing your dream job is something every person thinks about at one time or another. But, attaining that dream profession can also sometimes seem out of reach or impossible to pursue.
Fortunately, it’s never too late to pursue your ideal job. With the right amount of planning, persistence, and prep, you can start moving in the direction of your dreams.
Know What You Want
From workplace culture to the day-to-day tasks, in order to land your dream job, you have to know what you actually want. Applying to any and all jobs just to get a paycheck probably won’t help you get where you want to go. Think long-term as you create a strategy for your job hunt. Look for jobs either within the same industry or with the opportunity to build valuable skills that can lead you on the path toward your dream career.
Do Some Prep Work
You won’t likely land a job without a resume and cover letter, so get busy on those now. Once updated, set a reminder to spruce up or check their relevancy monthly or as frequently you deem appropriate. The same idea goes for your social media accounts. If you have a LinkedIn profile, it should reflect your most recent professional information. Check out this Movin on Up article for tips on how to clean up your social media accounts.
Keep Your Day Job
If you aren’t able to find a position that lines up perfectly with the path to your dream job, it’s recommended to keep your “day job” as you pursue the other. If you have a job now, you have a safety net that is invaluable until you can move on. The important thing to remember with this is that there’s a difference in staying in a job out of fear and staying in a job as you actively search for a more satisfying role.
Practice Persistence
Monster.com’s Alexandra Levit interviewed more than 100 people who currently hold their dream jobs. The reoccurring theme to landing those jobs? Persistence. Some people will stay in jobs they aren’t happy in because of the security they provide. Levit encourages her audience to “make an effort to do one thing that moves you a bit closer to your big-picture goal.” If you consistently do things, like attend networking events or volunteering, you’ll be much closer to your dream job than you would be if you remain complacent.
Manage Expectations
Keep in mind, most people don’t land their dream job fresh out of college, or even within their first years in the workforce. Reaching that goal will take time, focus, and oftentimes, quite a bit of patience. Also, don’t forget that your dream job should be one that provides you with a sense of fulfillment. Not every aspect of your dream job may be perfect. Yet, at the end of the day, if you can’t imagine yourself feeling any more fulfilled by a job, then celebrate what you have! You’ve made it.
What is your dream job? Let us know in the comments section below!
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
Everyone has a job or career they’ve dreamed about. And sometimes, interviewers will even ask candidates about their dream job or future plans in an interview. However, rather than determining whether you want to be an astronaut or a world-famous singer, they may want to know what that job looks like to you on a daily basis. Do you dream about working from home? Do you want to travel frequently? The answer is different for everyone, and we want to know your thoughts! Tell us what your dream job looks like by voting in our poll!
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
