We know there is so much more to life than work, yet we cannot deny that our jobs take up a good portion of our time, and sometimes the majority of our waking hours. That's why, when we feel unfulfilled at work, it impacts every aspect of our life. It feels like a big deal because it is. So, what can we do when we feel unfulfilled at work? How can we find a job that will give us a sense of purpose?
It's not as easy as quitting your job and looking for a new one. Yes, if you've tried to talk to your boss and you still feel like something isn't working or something is missing, it's probably the job that's causing you to feel unfulfilled, so getting out of that situation/environment is in your best interest. But in order to fix the problem (feeling unfulfilled), you need to figure out why you're feeling unfulfilled in your current job or career. Then, you need to build the confidence to quit your job so you can pursue a more fulfilling career.
Here are some tips for how to find career fulfillment and gain the confidence to leave your job so you can find a better one.
Figure Out How You Like To Create Value
The #1 reason why you feel unfulfilled at work is because you aren't doing work that feels satisfying to you. You aren't creating value the way you want to create value. You feel like you're wasting your skills and talents. When your job doesn't allow you to leverage your strengths, it leaves you feeling unsatisfied and unfulfilled. It's that simple.
So, how do you figure out how you like to create value? The easiest way is to take Work It Daily's Career Decoder Quiz to discover your workplace persona. Your workplace persona reveals how you like to contribute to the workplace. It shows you how you like to create value and which jobs/careers would be the best fit for you. Ultimately, it tells you what type of work makes you feel satisfied and fulfilled.
Nobody is the same. We all create value in different ways. This is why it's important to figure out how you like to create value and the types of jobs that would make you feel satisfied and fulfilled. It's not about the job your family or friends expect you to have. It's not about the career society says you should pursue. It's about the type of work that would give you a sense of fulfillment. It's about finding something that doesn't make you dread waking up in the morning.
Develop Skills That Will Empower You
Once you discover your workplace persona and can identify and understand why your current job or career is making you feel unfulfilled, you now need to gain the confidence to leave your job and find a new one that will leverage your strengths.
The best way to build confidence as a professional (and business-of-one) is to develop skills that will empower your career and make it easy for you to find a new job. Research which skills are in high demand in your industry. Identify which skills you have and which you need to develop. Then, take online courses, volunteer for projects, and look for new challenges to develop those skills.
Starting your job search knowing you have relevant skills and experience will give you a huge confidence boost when it comes to applying for jobs and performing in job interviews. Just remember to quantify those new skills on your resume so you actually get your job application in front of the hiring manager. And now that you know how you like to create value, your disruptive cover letter will be sure to stand out!
Know Your Worth
An important part of the job search is knowing your worth as a business-of-one. It's also something that can give you the confidence to leave your current job (especially if you're being underpaid) and apply for jobs with a higher salary or negotiate a higher salary in the interview process.
So, how do you find out your worth? We recommend checking out free resources that can give some valuable information about job salaries and what would be a competitive salary in your industry. Glassdoor, for example, has a salary calculator that allows professionals to enter information about their current career, job experience, and industry to give them an estimated market value.
Once you know your worth, you'll be armed with that knowledge in your job search, and that information will give you the confidence to pursue jobs that will give you a sense of fulfillment and pay the bills. You'll ensure that you're being fairly compensated for what you have to offer—no matter which jobs you decide to apply for.
We understand the challenges you're facing in the workplace right now. If you're feeling unfulfilled at work, that's okay. You're not alone. We hope these tips help you figure out how you like to create value and help you gain the confidence you need to leave your job and find a better one.
Do you feel unfulfilled at work? We're here to help. Check out our FREE training "Unlocking Your Career Potential So You Can (Finally!) Find A Job You Like."
Here's what you'll learn:
- What kind of work you should be looking for based on your lifestyle and needs
- How to identify the kinds of companies you would be happiest working at
- Which of your skills you should focus on leveraging in a job so that you feel happier at work each day
- How your personality impacts what type of work you should be looking for
Interested? Sign up for FREE today!