Avast, me hearties! Learneth how to discover a trade ye cherish in the year 2024, arrr!
2023-12-28
Avast ye, mateys! If ye be findin' yerself lost amidst a treacherous sea o' career change, fear not! Here be a few nuggets o' wisdom to aid ye in searchin' for and pursuin' meaningful work in the year o' our Pirate Lord, 2024.
If you’ve been stuck in a job that doesn’t give you a strong sense of purpose, the start of the new year is a perfect time to get unstuck and pursue a career you truly enjoy. And no, that concept isn’t a pipe dream. It’s actually very important to do something that’s meaningful to you, not only because it helps you feel more fulfilled in your work, but because you were created to fill a unique role in this world. You are needed, and you must do it. But I know making a big career change can get pretty overwhelming, so here are some tips to help you look for and go after work that matters in 2024. 1. Decide what kind of work to pursue In order to find a job you love, you have to know what you love to do. So carve out some time to reflect on these questions: What do I do best? Think about the skills that have always come naturally to you – the things other people say you’re good at. These can be both hard skills (writing, budgeting, etc.) and soft skills (communication, leadership, etc.). What do I love to do most? These are the activities that seem to make time stop for you – when you’re engaged in them, you forget everything else. You look forward to them, and you might even spend hours learning more about them in your downtime. What results matter most to me? Think about the people you want to help, the problems they have, and the solution(s) to their problem. Then, brainstorm some career paths and jobs that would allow you to use what you do best (talent) to do what you love most (passion) to produce the results that matter most to you (mission). 2. Start your job search If you know you don’t have enough experience yet in the field you want to pursue, use your free time to take courses, volunteer, intern or do whatever else it takes to get qualified and build your resumé before starting the application process. But if you already have some qualifications and experience, start with sites like Indeed, CareerBuilder, Ladders and Glassdoor that let you narrow down your search to your specific location, desired salary and type of job. 3. Connect with who you know Reach out to people you already know from church, past jobs, internships, clubs, friend groups, etc. and ask if they (or anyone else they know) could help you get closer to the type of job you want. 4. Customize your resumé and cover letter Tailor your resumé and cover letter for each application. Your resumé should include a mention of who – if anyone – you know at the company, why you want to work there, and all relevant work experience, education, and certifications you have. 5. Submit your job applications (and be patient) If a few weeks go by without hearing anything, don’t be afraid to follow up or reapply, and don’t give up. Know that you’re well on your way to finding purpose in your career in 2024.