How to find a job you love

Finding a job is one thing, but finding a job you love is another. This fact may contribute to the current, much-talked-about trend known as the Great Resignation, which is an anticipated higher proportion of employees quitting their jobs this year.

This trend is backed up by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which cited that 9.5 per cent (or 1.3 million people) changed jobs during the year ending February 2022. This is the highest annual job mobility rate since 2012! So whether you are a graduating student or one of the 2.1 million Australians that left or lost a job during this period, job satisfaction is critical. Here is our guide on how to find a job you love.

Think about what you value most

Prioritising what you value most in a role is a great first step towards finding a job — and a possible career — that you love. It may be salary, location, work/life balance, employee benefits or company culture (or a combination of one or more of these). Regardless, it is probably something you don’t want to compromise on, which will affect the jobs you apply for.

Find your passion

Take time to identify things in your life that make you feel excited, satisfied, fulfilled and motivated. Pay attention to what you spend your time and money on, including the topics of magazines, books and podcasts you consume. And consider what you love to teach or talk to others about. All of this can help you pinpoint the types of jobs or careers that will engage and inspire you.

Explore career paths

In terms of how to find a job you love, once you have identified a few areas of interest and passion, spend some time exploring different types of roles. Reading job descriptions on job sites may help you come to some conclusions, but also allow you to research others that are related but might be an even better fit!

Some of the best job sites in Australia, according to Workable, include:

Job sites for all industries worth perusing (in alphabetical order) include:

• Adzuna – The Australian version of the global employment portal Adzuna is focused on expanding employers’ outreach to a broader audience.
• Career One – A partner of Monster in Australia, it is popular with job seekers because they can not only find jobs, but get career advice and request a resume evaluation.
• Career Jet – A global job search engine that operates in 94 countries (like to work overseas?), including Australia.
• Gumtree – This site doesn’t just include classified ads. It is also a popular tool for promoting jobs in the services, hospitality, construction and manufacturing industries.
• Indeed – According to their site, they have over 10 million monthly visitors. Its resume database also allows you to upload your CV for potential employers to view.
• JobSearch – The Australian Government built this portal to increase employment rates. Sign up, and new jobs (by title and location)will be sent to your email inbox.
• Seek– One of Australia’s biggest employment marketplaces, the site also has lots of advanced filters that can help you narrow down your search. These include searching by location, title, work type, salary and the time period in which the job ad was listed.

There are also lots of specialised job platforms that post jobs specific to particular sectors, including:

• ArtsHub – This site focuses on the creative industry and advertises publishing, cultural events and fine arts jobs.
• FlexCareers – Focuses on flexible job opportunities and helps organisations get established as progressive employers.
• GradConnection – Assists students and recent graduates secure employment or internships according to their field of study or qualifications.
  Job Seeker – Now known as Pro Bono Australia, this is Australia’s job posting site for non-profit organisations.
• Paddl – This platform connects employers with graduates and students in a modern way. Instead of only relying on resumes, employers can use scorecards to test applicants. This can help highlight your specific skills and professional interests.

Do your research

If you are keen to explore tips on how to find a job you love when evaluating vacancies — and even job offers — research is essential to help you decide what you will apply for and accept. Organisations’ websites and social media profiles often give great insights into employee benefits and company culture.

Leverage your skills

Skills typically fall under two categories: “hard” skills and “soft” skills. Hard skills cover your technical knowledge or those gained through training or life experience, including via education or previous jobs. Soft skills are personal traits that shape how you work, engage with others and solve problems. Here are the top 16 in-demand soft skills for 2022, according to LinkedIn.

Connect with those in the know

LinkedIn is an extremely valuable business platform, and Australia’s largest online professional network. According to Social Media News statistics as of June 2022, it was the fifth most popular social media platform with over 6,500,000 monthly active Australian users. If you know the sector you’d like to work in and/or potential employers, you may be able to connect with those that can help you make a more informed decision about whether to pursue a job or career path. It also offers lots of helpful advice on how to find a job you love.

Consider your ideal working environment

Part of narrowing down the type of organisation you want to work for is considering what kind of environment you will be working in. It could be as simple as them having values and a company culture you align to. But it could also involve more practical elements, such as the size of the company and its commitment to employee development.

For example, do they offer mentoring, training and/or management/leadership and personal development opportunities? Is there room for career progression, or will you have to look elsewhere to move up the career ladder?

Build a personal brand

Take the time to fine-tune the avenues where you “brand” yourself, including carefully managing your social media messages via Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn by changing your privacy settings and removing anything unprofessional.

It’s also vital to have a comprehensive and up-to-date resume. This is your “pitch” document, which will answer all the questions a recruiter will have about you. Here are global recruiter Hays’ tips for writing a professional resume.

Build and maintain relationships with recruiters

Another valuable resource if you’re wondering how to find a job you love is by leveraging recruiters’ professional skills and expertise. From interview tips and help with drafting a resume to finding exclusive job opportunities, they could be a critical step to landing a role you’ve always wanted. Here are some LinkedIn tips on cultivating the ideal relationship with recruiters.