When you're looking for work, you are likely to spend a lot of time thinking about questions that interviewers might ask you. Stop for a minute to ask yourself some crucial questions about who you are as an employee and what you want to achieve. Gaining some critical understanding of yourself is key to finding a job that is fulfilling and exciting.
Who Are You?
The job search process allows you to confront vital questions that often get shoved aside. Ask yourself what gets you excited at work and what you're passionate about. Think about the kind of work environment that helps you thrive and the skills that make you shine. Ask yourself about your work values; some people find value in contributing to a cause or project they believe in while others need opportunities to be creative or work autonomously to feel their job has merit. Think through the work experiences and accomplishments that have meant the most to you, and analyze why they mattered so much. Challenge yourself regarding the importance of salary in your job happiness. Understanding who you are helps you get your job search priorities straight and moves your passions to the top of the must-have list.
What Do You Want to Achieve?
A job search allows you to lift your head above the daily work grind to think about your long-term goals. Where do you want to go from where you are right now? Ask yourself not only what your next steps should be but where you would like to be in five, 10 or even 20 years. Imagine your retirement speech, and list a few accomplishments you would like to include in it. Be honest with yourself regarding the viability of your goals, but let your mind plan for the best case scenario. Understanding the answer to this crucial question prepares you to narrow your job search, design your resume appropriately and have answers to some probable interview questions right in your back pocket.
What Do You Have to Do to Get What You Want?
Now is the time to get practical. What are the steps to achieve your goals? Do you need more education? Are there stepping-stone jobs you should look for? Are there specific employers you should be researching and courting? Bring your internal process back to the beginning of your questioning, and ask yourself about the unique qualities you bring to the job that will help you get where you want to be and how you can maximize their impact.
It's all too easy to plan a career for the person you think you are supposed to be or who you wanted to be when you graduated from college. Take time to ask yourself questions about who you really are at this stage of your career, align your job search priorities with your long-term goals, and return to the job search with a fresh sense of clarity and purpose.
Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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