How to Find a Better Job

You spend a lot of your waking hours at work, and work also determines your income and what kind of benefits you get. For these reasons, finding a better job can have a huge impact on your quality of life, but how do you go about doing it?

Define Better

Better will mean different things to different people. If you aren’t the main breadwinner and you don’t need a big salary bump, it could mean something with fewer hours and less stress so that you can spend more time with your kids. On the other hand, if you’re sick of living paycheck to paycheck, salary might be your main consideration. Maybe you’re bored with what you do and what you most want is something that keeps you more engaged. Choose your criteria so that you can make the best decision about what to do next.

Identify Your New Job

Once you know what better means, you’ll know what kind of work to seek. This could mean something in the field you’re already in. You may just need to look for something at a different company or even a promotion within your own company. At the other end of the spectrum, you might be switching fields entirely, in which case you’ll need to figure out what kind of training and preparation you need. This might mean taking some classes or even going back to school for a degree. If the latter is part of your plan, you may need to strategize how you will cover tuition and other costs. You can search online for Going Merry scholarships for college students and other options.

Prepare

If you don’t have any of the essentials for starting a career or experience in the field you want to move into, you might want to find out if there is a way to volunteer and gain relevant experience. You should also research the position that you want so that you know what qualifications are expected. You may need to burnish your online presence and update your resume. Applying for jobs can be tough, so set yourself a goal as well as a reward to help you stay motivated. You might decide to apply for one position a day for several weeks. You can roleplay interviews with a friend or record yourself answering imaginary questions, which can give you some insight into how you come across and help you improve.

Landing the Job

While it’s important not to lose sight of the reason you are job hunting in the first place, you may not be able to land the dream position right away. Set a goal of finding work that will improve things even if it doesn’t have all the elements you’re looking for. You’re not going to be in your next position forever, so it’s worth taking it if it fulfills some of your criteria, especially if it’s a good stepping stone. During interviews, even if you are really frustrated with wherever you are currently working, don’t badmouth it. Try to discuss it in neutral language and talk about the challenges you’re looking forward to in a new position.