Career Talk JDR

Posts Tagged ‘Ideal job’

There are tons of self-help books and tests to determine which career you are most suited for.  Personally, I still like “What Color Is Your Parachute,” which has been a New York Times bestseller each time it has been updated and revised.  There is also a pretty cool quiz you can take:  http://quiz.ivillage.co.uk/uk_work/tests/career.htm

Remember from Part 1, that an ideal job- IJ, is a position working for a company that you believe in.  In order to really believe in a company, you must believe in their products, the people they employ and also, their ethics…among other things.

If you show up each day and do just enough to get a paycheck you will ultimately lose that job. If you complain how hard everything is or how wrong things are, you not only bring yourself down but you will also be let go.  If you love your job and feel you are in an IJ now but need to make more money, do not ask for a raise.  Instead do the following:

Companies run on people; people create processes to make work efficient and profitable.  Put yourself in a position to help your company make money (sell more product or service); or reduce cost (lower expense equals higher net profit).  All companies expect you to bring in 5x your salary – make sure you far exceed that to keep employed. 

Work only for a company that you believe in.  Their products, the people they choose to employ and their ethics must all align with your beliefs.  We will call this your IJ-ideal job.

Job Search: