Looking for work? Some things to consider!

If you are looking for work, being sure about the kind of job you want is key to success. The clearer you are about what you really want, the more chance you have of making a good decision.

Remember, choosing a job isn’t just about having the right qualifications and experience, or how much money they are prepared to pay.

Here are some other things to consider.

How important is work in your life?

For some people, work is the centre of their world. How they get on at work deeply affects their health and happiness.

For others, work is far less important. They want to do a good job, but life outside work matters to them far more.

If you are deeply committed to your career, you will need to know that any new job is going to allow you to develop your skills. How important is the possibility of future promotion to you?

What kind of work do you enjoy doing?

To do well in any job, you usually need to enjoy something about it. Think about your interests and the things you liked most in jobs you have done already.

Think about what you liked and what you didn’t. In what kind of environment did you feel most comfortable? In what kind of environment did you do your best work?

What do you do well?

People are better and worse at different things. What are you good at doing? What do you find more difficult?

Be honest with yourself. Taking a job where you know you will really struggle to perform well is a risky strategy.

What’s the right working pattern for you?

Fewer jobs are strictly 9 to 5, Monday to Friday, and fewer people go to the same place of work every day.

For some people, the traditional way of working suits them very well. For others, newer and more flexible ways of working suit them better.

Is working in the evening or at weekends something you would consider?

What kind of organisation would suit you best?

Some people like small organisations, while others find more stimulation in large organisations. You might also want to consider the differences between the public, private and charity sectors.

When you have the answers to these questions, you will be much better equipped to begin your job search.

I wish you every success.