Landing the dream job you always wanted can backfire and leave a giant question mark in your career path. Maybe the day-to-day realities of the job aren't what you expected, or changes in your lifestyle now clash with work. No matter the cause, you can recover from disenchantment and create a fulfilling career. Take these steps to figure out what went wrong and discover a new dream job.
Diagnose the Problem
The problem with chasing a dream is you focus too heavily on the attractive parts of a job. Once you start working, you realize the idealized version only accounts for a small fraction of what you do on a daily basis. On top of that, you are not a fixed entity. You get older. Your personality and interests change. You gain new skills and passions. You develop new priorities and responsibilities in your personal life. And sometimes, the job itself is fine, but your work environment or co-workers become toxic.
To avoid another misfire, try identifying the factors that made you fall out of love with your dream job. Does it conflict with your strengths? Do you have opportunities for learning and advancement? Are you out of place in the company culture? Are you working too hard without adequate compensation? Answering these questions can help you identify your needs as you consider hunting for a new job.
Embrace Change
Waning passion for your job isn't always a bad thing. Discontentment is usually a sign you crave fresh challenges and experiences, and you can harness it to pursue new projects. Plus, every job that comes to an end gives you the benefit of knowing yourself a little better than before. Reflect on what you learned and the transferable skills you developed. You can even ask close colleagues or friends for feedback on your professional growth. Use this information to update your resume, and tell trusted people in your network about your new career goals.
Plan a Transition
Changing your definition of a dream job doesn't have to mean starting over. Your collective knowledge and experiences are valuable resources for finding a new dream job. Let's say you work in back-end data analytics. You might realize you like writing market research reports and working directly with the public to collect information but don't enjoy poring over facts and figures all day.
If you like your current employer, discuss a transition with your boss or start volunteering to work on projects that fit your desired career path. When the entire situation is a poor fit, try honing a new skill set in your existing role before you go. Building a relevant body of work may boost your competitiveness in a job search.
Talk to People
Real professionals are the best source of information about the ups and downs of a job. Reach out to people working in target careers to ask questions. Find out what they like or don't like about their jobs so you can compare their insights to your needs. When possible, seek out shadowing opportunities and informational interviews to get realistic facts before you accept another position.
Perfect careers are a fantasy because every position has downsides. Figure out your top priorities, and you can find dream jobs where the benefits far outweigh the frustrations.
Photo courtesy of anankkml at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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