Are you currently on the hunt for a job or are you daydreaming about a role that would suit you better? Perhaps, you’ve been scouring job postings, sending out resumes, and attending interviews. Whether you are actively looking for a new role, or just evaluating options, this blog post will provide food for thought.

But before you continue job hunting, here’s some advice for you—take a step back and ask yourself this important question: What do you really want to do?

Job seekers often accept job offers that don’t align with their interests, skills, and values. They easily get caught up in the excitement of a job opportunity, the promise of a steady paycheck, or the allure of a fancy job title. Thus, they find themselves stuck in a job they don’t enjoy, causing dissatisfaction, decreased productivity, and, ultimately, leaving.

Knowing what you want gives you direction and clarity, making it easier to identify suitable job opportunities. It allows you to filter out jobs that don’t align with your goals and focus on those that do.

It also t helps you articulate your career aspirations to potential employers, giving you an edge over candidates who may not have a clear sense of their career goals.

So how do you figure out what you really want?

  • Conduct a self-assessment to identify your strengths, interests, and values.
  • Consider what tasks you enjoy and what work environment you thrive in.
  • Ask yourself what motivates you and what you find most fulfilling in your work.
  • Confide in those close to you and seek their counsel.

Taking time to reflect on what you truly want before a job search can help you identify your career passions and narrow your search to the roles you’re most passionate about.

Of course, it’s also important to be realistic about your job search. You may not land your dream job right away, or you may need to take on a role that’s not exactly what you want to gain experience with and work your way up. But even in these situations, knowing what you want can help you make more informed decisions about your career path.

Knowing what you want may seem like simple and trivial advice. However, it’s powerful and mostly overlooked. By evaluating your interests, skills, passion, and values, you can identify the right career path for you.

Want to talk about obtaining your dream job? Reach out to me at rick@continentalsearch.com. Let’s chat!

About the Author

Rick Pascual is the Practice Director for ruminant health and nutrition at Continental Search, a leading recruiting team in the animal sciences. He is a NAPS Certified Personnel Consultant and leads all the research and recruiting for dairy and beef. Rick mostly recruits sales, technical and management professionals for feed manufacturers, feed additive suppliers, and animal pharma. For the latest job opportunities, you may connect with Rick on LinkedIn or email him at rick@continentalsearch.com.