At 46, I am still not sure if I have found the right job for me. I have a Masters level education and have been a professional business strategist for nearly 20 years. I like what I do, but to this day, I daresay that the elusive “perfect job” still escapes me. Like many of you, I often wonder if I will ever find it, or if it even exists.

Some people know early in life what they want as a career. I have a cousin who envisioned becoming a doctor at five years of age. He has since had a career as a neurosurgeon, many years of which he worked in the Mayo clinic. You hear of protégés and Hollywood stars who foretell precisely how and when they are going to “make it big”. To their and nobody else’s surprise, they often realize their dreams – sometimes even ahead of schedule. If you live in an urban area, when you look around, seemingly everyone is driving a BMW or a Lexus except you. You wonder why their ship has come in while yours remains cast adrift, tossing and tumbling on the tides of fate and folly. However you view your current place in the world, I implore you not to compare yourself with others, for it is the seed of unhappiness and will only bring despair. Understand first and foremost that we are all on our own path and timeline, and to force the universe into speeding up its agenda is futile and frustrating.

Also, realize that even when one does all the groundwork and strategically implements all the right “moves”, there is still a chance for a myriad of reasons your dream job may elude you. You may find it, but you may not measure up, or the timing could be off, or, or, or…so do not be dismayed. It is okay.

However, before you conclude “what’s the use”; there are a number of strategic steps you can take to stack the odds in your favour. First, resolve to find a position that challenges, stretches, and maybe even scares you a little. One in which you wake up in the morning and are motivated to go to work. It must motivate and satisfy you between 70 and 80% of the time and pay you adequately (I’ll let you define “adequately”). For those of you in jobs that offer something less than 70% satisfaction and motivation, you might want to consider transitioning to another job. Do not precipitously quit your current position, but rather develop a strategy to move to a place you want to be in a planned and systematic way.

This last point is extremely important and worth mentioning again. Make sure that when you to decide to move on, that you are not simply escaping from the noxious or undesirable work environment you currently occupy. I have a very good friend who has made “geographically oriented escapism” a career in and of itself. He is now 50, unemployed, highly educated, but with a speckled career history that would make any prospective employer scratch their head. When you do decide to make a move, I recommend that you do not quit your job, but rather transition to an alternative that offers you a better fit for your skills and who you are. This applies particularly to those with families or financial obligations – you know who you are. There are many good books on this topic. Two of the best are:

1. What Colour is Your Parachute (Richard Bowles), and
2. Do What You Are (Tieger, Barron-Tieger)

If you intend on quitting your job and going into business, be very sure and honest of your market potential, know your competitive weaknesses and strengths, and above all have enough financial padding to pay your bills for at least 18 months.

So, short of reading these two excellent books, how can you begin finding the right job for you? The following provides a basic approach that will move you in the right direction toward finding your niche.

1. Personality testing: Take a personality test (or five) to determine strengths and propensities. The Myers Briggs Type Inventory is one such test. There are many other truncated and “knock-off” versions on the web from which to choose. Each personality type has a certain set of “best fit” career options. Be honest when taking the test, as the robustness of the assessment is only as good as the validity and reliability of your answers. Take it several times to get an accurate sense of your personality type and what career choices you might enjoy.

2. Values & Beliefs: find a position that aligns with your own values and belief systems, i.e., if you do not like making difficult decisions; math has always eluded you; and public speaking causes you to break out in hives; you might want to avoid targeting CEO positions. Your personality testing will yield good information for you in this regard. Careful introspection and reflection are also useful practices. You may also want to ask trusted friends and loved ones for their perceptions about your values and beliefs. Be careful with the latter approach, and avoid giving away decision-making autonomy.

3. Polish up your act - research the mannerisms, vocal intonation, speaking cadence, economy of language, dress, and comportment of people you wish to emulate. Practice speaking and acting in front of a mirror until your “professional” you is believable to yourself. If even “you believe you” then others who have not yet met you1 will believe you. Be your own biggest critic (for most, this will be a cinch). A professional appearance; sounding professional; having professional mannerisms and using the English language economically are all highly prized attributes in the job market. Be diligent and practice, practice, practice…

4. Visit career workshops: many local government bodies offer free or nominal charge programs for people interested in finding or transitioning to the “right position”.

5. Consult with an Executive Recruiter: while many executive recruiters will not have the time of day for you, the ones who will be in business for the long-term will. These professional human resource people see and speak with the most senior ranks of executives, and know what types of packaging and skill sets executive level managers desire. Make no mistake, however, you are a commodity for them.

6. Refine the “Lingo”: begin to develop the vernacular for the field into which you want to transition. Make no mistake that while executives and others detest jargon for the sake of jargon, they all use it. Those who use carefully placed avant-garde “management speak” and can back it up with sound presentation and decision-making skills are often seen as “up-and-comers” or “go-to” people in the organization. One caveat here, do not make a habit of employing over-used phrases like “low hanging fruit” and “window of opportunity”. Most managers cringe when they hear these and other similar euphemisms.

7. Networking and Bridge Burning: Do the former, and don’t do the latter. Full stop. When networking, try not to come across as too “salesy”. Persuasion and enthusiasm go a long way, but out and out supplication is frowned upon.

8. Education, accreditation, certification: Get it and keep on getting it. There is no substitute for education and hard work. Credentials are often the calling card and door opener job seekers desire.

9. Work hard and smart: If you are lucky enough to find the right job for you, work hard and smart. Do not rest on your laurels and guard against developing an attitude of entitlement. Look for challenges; have courage; take on assignments outside of your comfort zone; and discipline yourself to continue learning your job and contributing value to your employer.

It is my sincere hope that you will use these nine simple rules to find and obtain the job that is right for you. There may be 10 or 20 or 30 or more rules, but these are the ones that if you employ, will increase your probability of success exponentially. Remember, if you don’t succeed at first, try and try again. Success is never a guarantee in any endeavour, but is oft gifted to those who focus and persevere on what they want in the face of adversity. Those who press on when all seems lost have amassed some of the greatest fortunes known to mankind. If you are down on your luck and things seem hopeless, remember that it is always darkest before the dawn. Remember, just when you think all hope is lost, and your prayers have been unanswered, some turn of event will occur. Your ship may come in. Have faith and trust yourself and your actions.

Shane Busby, MBA, is a management consultant with 16 years experience solving complex business problems and helping businesses (and ultimately people, find their way). Shane is an lifelong learner, and continues to focus his practice on business planning, OD/OB, strategy formulation, and change management.

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Last update : 15-09-2007

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