If so, the following questions might help you with your job search.

What were your aspirations when you were younger?

Think back to your childhood. What was your idea of a dream job then? Sure, some of them may be slightly unrealistic now – Prime Minister, astronaut, secret agent (though never say never)—but if you had ideas that may be within the realms of possibility for where you are in life now, then you might want to return to those dreams to take the necessary steps to make them come true for you.

What are your hobbies?

If you ever wanted to extend your hobby into a career, then there may be opportunities for you. If you’re somebody who loves baking, as an example, you might want to get into the catering business, be that working for yourself or for an employer. If you’re somebody who enjoys keeping fit, you might want to become a personal trainer at a gym or even a sports coach. If you enjoy writing, you might want to take up journalism, become a blogger, or work as a freelance writer. There are plenty of job ideas here, using popular hobbies as a basis, so have a look, and see what might work for you.

Is the perfect job in this country?

Are you always bemoaning the weather? Do you hate coming home from your summer vacation abroad? Have you always wanted to live anywhere but your own country? Then a job abroad might be the perfect thing for you. You need to consider what you are leaving behind, of course. This isn’t an easy decision, as you might be leaving your family, friends, and even your partner behind in pursuit of a dream job. But you can stay in touch with your nearest and dearest through Skype, and you could always make the effort to fly home to visit them Your partner can contact FISA Immigration for a Visa if he/she wants to visit you, or move abroad with you permanently. And there are couples jobs you might consider if you are romantically attached. Whatever the case, if you dream of taking those roads less travelled into a job abroad, then consider your options to live your dream.

What is your purpose in life?

What is your perfect life? It’s possible to create the life you want with a career you might also love. If you want to spend more time at home, then you might consider a home business. Using your natural talents and skills, you can sell anything you might create, or offer online services to people who can benefit from your knowledge. If you value personal rewards over financial rewards, you might consider working for a charity or getting the training to work within caring professions, such as teaching, nursing, or social work. And if your purpose is to make money, no matter the sacrifices to your personal life, you might consider going for those higher-paid positions, although you will have to commit to training and extra qualifications to get many of them. Think about your life’s purpose; those things that drive you forward, and consider the careers that match.

Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

Do you prefer to work alone, without the pesky distraction of other people getting in the way? Or are you a social butterfly; somebody who thrives on the companionship of others in your everyday life? Think about your personality type, as this might shape the career path you decide to take. To help you narrow down your options, take a careers personality test, and you just might find the perfect job for you. And who knows, there may be jobs out there that you hadn’t previously considered!

What are your skills and talents?

We briefly touched on this earlier, but when it comes to finding the perfect job for you, it is important to find something that matches what you are good at. You might only be the proverbial square peg in a round hole, otherwise. Take time out to list your many skills – there are plenty of ideas here if you are running short on inspiration – and then try and match them to suitable jobs. There are further ideas for doing this in the linked article. Then consider doing what is necessary to add to your job skills if certain jobs require it, or narrow down your options by considering those jobs that seem to be perfectly suited to you and your key abilities.

What did you like or dislike about your previous jobs?

Let the past shape your future. Look at your current job, or all of the jobs that you had previously, and consider what you liked or disliked about them. If there were things you absolutely loved, then it’s good practice to try and find a job role that will give you more of the same positive experiences. If there was anything you hated with a passion, then quite clearly, you need to avoid returning to anything that might cause the same negative reaction within you. Of course, it’s very difficult to get the perfect job, with everything you like, and none of what you don’t like, but it’s still worth going through the thinking process, as some jobs will balance out the other.

Are there any jobs that you would do for free?

In practice, of course, this would be entirely unrealistic. You do need to earn money to survive unless you have a very wealthy partner or family who are willing to fund your voluntary work. However, taking it as a concept, list those jobs that you might be willing to do for free if your lifestyle accommodated it. These will be the dream jobs that you would absolutely love to do, as the rewards received would be greater than any money. It might be acting in a movie, working for a top fashion designer, or as we suggested earlier, a job abroad with plenty of sea and sunshine. These are the jobs that would drive your passions, and get you out of bed in the morning, so think big, list your ideas, and then take steps to fulfil those roles that might be within the realms of possibility for you.

Are you envious of the jobs other people have?

Have you ever been envious of a friend, family member, or even a complete stranger, and said to yourself, “I wish I could do what they do.” If so, then are there any reasons why you shouldn’t?  If you don’t have the correct training behind you, then let this be the incentive for you to go back to school to earn some extra qualifications. If you don’t have the confidence to do what they do, then perhaps you need to think better about yourself. If you are in the position to acquire the skills needed, then why shouldn’t you follow the example of others and set foot into a job that can become a reality for you, and not just an idle daydream? Sure, there will be some jobs that are unsuitable for you, for any number of reasons, and it might be a waste of time to pursue them. But on the other hand, there will be those jobs where you might stand a chance, so curb your envy, and grab a piece of the proverbial job pie that other people are currently munching on!

What are the pros and cons of the jobs you have considered?

Let’s narrow down your choices. After answering the other questions, and having listed the jobs that may well be a possibility for you, create a list of the pros and cons of each one. As we suggested earlier, no job is perfect, but there may specific issues within each job that would rule it out for you. For example, if you want a job with a better work-life balance, but a dream job on your list scuppers any chances of you spending more time at home, then you might want to cross it off your list. Or if money is your raison d’etre, but one of your dream jobs doesn’t pay the salary you are wanting, then you might want to eliminate it from your mind, unless you are prepared to take a financial sacrifice. Look at each job in turn, research them to find out more information, then dwindle them down until you are left with those that could well be the perfect job for you.

So, are you wanting to get out of your career rut? Consider our questions so you can finally have the means to find the job that is perfect for you. We wish you every success in your search.

You Don’t Have Employment Experience

If you don’t have career experience, you may have convinced yourself that it’s going to be totally impossible to end up where you want to be. However, this is not the case. If you’re willing to think outside of the box, perhaps volunteer/work for free, you may be able to differentiate yourself and show that you’re worth the hire.

You Don’t Have Experience With Interviews

Perhaps the issue is that you are terrified of interviews as you have no previous experience with them. This is one of the most important parts of the process of landing a job, so of course you’re going to feel afraid. This is where your potential employer will assess whether you are right for the role available. You can prepare for the interview process by asking a trusted friend or family member to help you out. Do your research, as you should be able to find many helpful interview process tips and techniques online. The more you practice, the better, so get as much research and practice in as you can. This will give you the confidence you need to succeed during the interview and help calm down those jitters.

You Feel Overwhelmed By Meeting New People

You may have to meet many people during the interview process or when you’re trying to network with the right people. This can vary depending on how big the company you’re applying for is, but you should be prepared to meet with multiple people when you apply. It’s your job to know how you will work with each of these people and the value you can bring to them if you were brought on board. Get the names and titles of the people you will be interviewed by from the initial recruiter if possible. If you can do this, you’ll be able to prepare thoughtful and customized questions for each person. Although some of these interviewers may be higher up in the company than others, they are all of equal importance to you, as they will all get a say in whether you are right for the role or not. Bear this in mind.

Break It Down Into Baby Steps

If you know there are initial steps you must take before you even get to the interview process, it’s time to come up with a plan and break it down into baby steps. Is there a course you can do first? Do you need to create a CV? Break it all down into smaller, bite sized chunks and the whole process will seem infinitely more manageable. You may want to find a recruiter who can go about helping you find the ideal role too, especially if you’re looking for something like disability jobs that suit your personal needs.

Find A Mentor

Finding a mentor can be a huge help when you want to land your dream job. They will help you to figure out the skills you need to get to where you want to be, help you with resources, and even act as a reference if needed. You may struggle to find the right mentor. In this case, see if you can find a good role model. Read their books, watch their YouTube videos, and research as much as you possibly can. Know their pivotal moments, difficult choices they made, how many years it took for them to become successful, and more.

Stay Flexible

It’s a good idea to stay flexible on this journey. What if you realize your passion lies in the same industry, but a different role along the way? You might realize that this is an even better fit for you. Be open to opportunity and pay close attention to what your gut is telling you.

The only person stopping you from reaching your goals is you!

Bearing that in mind, here are the fastest growing jobs in the world right now, and they all look set to get bigger and more vital in the years to come:

Network Support Technicians

Pretty much everything is connected via networks and cables these days. Furthermore, we’ll become more and more connected as time goes on. As a result, the demand for network support technicians is rising every day. We need people to come along and fix network issues before they shut down the entire operations of a business for a day or two. It’s vital that network problems are seen to and solved as soon as possible. Therefore, more and more people are keen to get a network administration degree, to find jobs like this. They’re so in demand, with businesses, schools, and even health companies—it’s an indispensable position that is crucial to have. 

Mathematician

Yep, you read that right, and I bet you wish you paid more attention in math class now! The simple fact is that mathematicians play an essential role in modern society. Mainly, they’re used to analyze statistics and create findings out of data samples. Governments use them to look at opinion polls and all sorts of data, which makes them highly desirable workers. The pay is incredibly good, but the biggest barrier is that you need a Masters degree in mathematics. So if numbers aren’t your thing, this is definitely NOT the job for you.

Software Developers

Another technology-based job consistently on the rise is the role of a software developer. Businesses want these people on-board to create apps, which makes this type of work very high in demand. It’s a great job if you love technology and know how to develop software, and there are so many courses you can take to teach the skills you need. Plus, most of this work can be done remotely, which gives you a flexible working week!

Digital Marketing Specialists

If you know anything about business, then you’ll be aware that digital marketing is pretty much taking over the world. It’s growing every year, which increases companies demand for specialists in this field. As such, digital marketing jobs are on the rise, and they look to be continuing in that direction too. This is one of the best and easiest careers to get into as you don’t really need any qualifications. What’s more, there are so many online resources to help you learn about digital marketing and develop your talents.

So, if you’re looking for a career that sets you up for a bright future, then these incredibly fast-growing jobs could be right up your street!

To start crafting your life, have a look at what you don’t like now. Is it your working hours? The job or career you currently have? Do you want to make more money? All of those are possible; it just might mean you are doing both your current job and your new one at the same time for a while. Start by taking a sheet of paper, or a new notebook, and think about what your ideal day – including some type of work – might look like.

Be specific, write down what time you would wake up, what you would eat and drink, think about things like if you read a newspaper, or scroll the news on a tablet. Go into detail.

After you have created your whole day, use the notebook to build yourself a vision board. Vision boards have both been proven to work, and shown not too. However, looking at motivational images, quotes that inspire you and seeing your goals will help keep you focused.

Use colors that make you feel something, brights, darks, and pastels all have a place in your space, so build your vision board however makes you happy.

Now, deep dive what you have written down for a career. Is it something like ‘win the lottery’ or is it something that is achievable and something you can aim for? Here are a few professions that work beautifully with flexible people like you:

• Blogging and Vlogging – building yourself as a brand online
• Building an Investment portfolio – this one might take some time, and you’ll likely need to learn how to invest and what to invest in. Check out some examples of CFDs here.
• Content Writing – set up a simple website, think about investing in some online courses, or start writing for fun and add that as examples of your work.
• Design – if you love creating gorgeous images and feel like you could take on someone else’s creative vision this might be up your street. Spend some time creating a few images and hit the internet to offer your design services.

Try not to devalue your future career by charging too low when you first start out, although you might really want to gather up new clients quickly, in the long run, it will be difficult to retain clients that started in a low price bracket to see why they should pay more later.

Set up a dedicated work area in your house, and use that whenever possible. Although working in coffee shops is a huge perk and a much-welcomed break from working alone, in the early days you might find you are spending much more than you’re making.

The idea is to find something you love, can do from home (or wherever you like) and make your life the way you’ve pictured for years. Work hard, play hard, earn hard and live beautifully.

Hope this post was helpful!

Until next time, 

Tap Into Your Network

One resource that many forget to use is their own network! Whether it’s ex-coworkers, old classmates, or even just your friends and family, having a lot of good connections could make it a lot easier for you to discover your next career move. Start by asking around your network and see if they know of any current opportunites or if any of them can introduce you to someone who could help. In a world so well connected through social media and even professional network sites like LinkedIn, you’re bound to have at least one or two people who can help push you in the right direction. 

Research Part-Time Courses

If you have an idea of what career you want to pursue but don’t quite think that you have the skill set to get there yet, it could be helpful to look into part-time courses that develop your skill set. If you’re in Vancouver, some great schools to look into are BrainStation, BCIT, and Red Academy. Most of these schools offer part-time night time classes that could be great to add to schedule while you’re still working at your current job.

Start Your Own Business

If looking for a job in a new company seems like a turn-off to you, maybe your next career move is being your own boss. There are definitely endless possibilities on what you could offer as a business—but either way, starting your own business could be a great way do exactly what it is that you love. If you’re looking to get a little help, there are great specialized loans that could help you get started, such as start up business loans for women. 

Careers mean different things to different people so it is important for you to discover what your dream career looks like for you. Whether it’s working your way up to becoming the CEO of a big company or starting a business of your own—it is important to know that there are tons of resources and tools that can help push you in that direction. 

Until next time,

Positivity

A good attitude is integral to your productivity levels. Moreover, it can influence the work ethic of your colleagues while also directly affecting the quality of your customer experience. Working with a smile on your face is also a great way to show a genuine passion for the job. This is something that most employers will notice, and this is the type of personalities that they want to keep. 

Flexibility

It’s great that you work hard during your contracted hours. But if you want to truly get ahead in business, having the flexibility and desire to go the extra mile can make a world of difference. Learn how to get work done from your smartphone, and even while you’re commuting can be productive. Your employer will appreciate you being dedicated to your job and this can definitely win you brownie points!

Presentation 

Whether it’s presenting ideas to your boss, clients, or partners—throughout your career, showcasing the results of your hard work will be pivotal. If you aren’t the best speaker on the planet, learn Microsoft PowerPoint to provide the visual aids to help with your presentations. As long as you can express your points in a concise and clear manner, your efforts will be appreciated. 

Multitasking

No matter how specific your job title is, there are still going to be times where you are given different tasks that may be slightly different from your usual workload. Especially if you work for a smaller business or startup, you may be in a position where you need to handle multiple clients at once. Finding ways to organize your schedule, workflow, and general assignments will make a world of difference. The key is to learn to manage your time without making mistakes and letting yourself get overwhelmed.

Leadership

One thing to remember about holding a high-level position is that you’ll be responsible for other people as well as yourself. Developing the communication and leadership skills needed to command a team is crucial for you to be recognized as someone fitted for a management position. There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance that a lot of people often overlook. Work on being a good leader and manager and you will earn the respect and title naturally.

Opportunism   

Regardless of how well you perform, nobody is going to hand opportunities to you on a plate. A great mindset to adopt is to feel the need to go out and make things happen for yourself. From knowing how to look for other jobs to showing bosses that you are worth a promotion, this will be one of your greatest assets. Alternatively, this is also a great attribute to have if you ever decide to start your own business.

Given that you’re going to spend a lot of time at work throughout your adult life, it’s vital that you maximize your productivity and returns. Work on these attributes and you will definitely see improvements in all aspects of your life and not just work!

Until next time, 

Dress For The Part You Want Not The Part You Have

This sounds super cheesy, and I know there are a million memes out there of people dressing like princesses or Victoria Secret models (haha). But this corny line actually packs a punch. I’m not saying you should be wearing thousand dollar office clothing to dress like a CEO would but putting more effort in looking professional can help make you feel more confident and productive at work. And at times, it can have an effect on how others see you at work too. Work on your wardrobe for work if you’re not currently dressing like you’re in a position of power! As I always say: Look good to feel good. 

Don’t Forget About Your Benefits

Make sure you discuss benefits with your boss or controller! A lot of people forget about their benefits and let it go to waste year after year. Consider it this way. The money you save is more money in your pockets. Some companies even will cover gym memberships, transit expenses, and telephone reimbursements! All of these things add up and paying attention to whether your firm offers overtime benefits, travel expenses, and more could land you some serious extra bucks in the bank account. 

Ask For A Promotion Or Pay Raise

How will you get a promotion or a pay raise if you just wait around for somebody to hand you one? Chances are, this won’t happen. Asking for it can be scary, but it lets your boss know that you value your job and want to continue further within the company. Arrange a meeting with your superior and talk about performance, and don’t forget to negotiate on expectations. Explain to them what you have done to earn the promotion and how you’ve demonstrated your worth and ownership of tasks by taking the lead. Just make sure your manager is aware that you would like a promotion. Trust me when I say, not every manager/boss is constantly thinking “when should I give my employees a raise”. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t want to! You can keep an eye out for internal job postings too! If there’s a role that has opened up that you think would push you further in your career, take it! No matter how small the promotion, it is still important to push yourself to go further in your career while also reminding your superiors that you take your job seriously. 

Consider Starting Up Your Own Venture On The Side

Entry-level jobs don’t always pay the best, and sometimes it may get a little tough starting out, especially right after you graduate. If this is the case, consider starting up your own venture on the side! My side hustle is freelance work and blogging. And most of the time, all you need to start a small side hustle is a credit card and a good idea. But of course, if you get into a bit of a jiffy, there is always credit card debt relief available, should you need it.

You could even create multiple income streams if you’re ambitious; how about affiliate marketing, blogging, writing e-books, tutoring, selling your talents online? Whether you’re great at drawing up a logo or you do a pretty good voiceover, you can sell it!

So those are some small tips that I’ve learned in the past couple of months of starting my career! 

Hope they were helpful for my fellow new graduates. 

Until next time, 

Be Sure

The first thing that you should do is be absolutely certain that this is what you want. You don’t want to change jobs just because you are bored or fancy a change, just to find yourself in a position you hate even more. No one wants to spend their life jumping from one unhappy job to another.

If you are absolutely sure that you want to leave your current job, think very carefully about what you want to do before you start job hunting. If you’ve got a dream or something you’ve always kept in mind, go for it. If not, sit down and write a list of everything that you love doing or are good at. Speak to a careers advisor and take your time to reach a decision.

Find Out What You Need

In some cases, you can get an entry-level job without going back to school. But, that may not always be possible. Or, it might not be something that you can afford to do. If you are used to the lifestyle a high paying job brings, you may not want to take such a huge drop in salary.

Take a look at what qualifications or experience you need to get started in a new career. You may need to enroll in an online study program or do some volunteer work to get some relevant experience.

Sort Out Your Finances

Whether you are aiming to enter a new industry higher up, start at the bottom, or open your own business, it’s important to make sure you are in a stable financial position before you leave your current job. Take your time to read how do you fix your credit and make an effort to improve your credit score and pay off any debts. If at all possible, have a few months’ salary saved just in case, on top of any money you need for further education.

Prepare Your CV

One common mistake people make is staying in an unhappy job because they can’t see a way out. They think that they’re not qualified to do anything else. This isn’t often the case. Take a look at your CV, and think about your key skills. Think about all of your experience, both in and out of work, and any transferable skills you may have. Say you’ve worked as a chef, that means you can work under pressure, you are organized, you are creative, you’ve managed other staff, dealt with food hygiene paperwork, and you can think on your feet. These skills need to be on your CV; they could be useful in many other jobs.

Hope this post was helpful for those of you looking for a career change. 

Until next time,