It’s February meaning love is in the air. Whether you’re single or in a relationship, we all know it’s okay to be picky when dating, and each one of us has our top three attributes we look for in a partner. Whether it’s playing 20 questions on the first date or swiping through profiles, it is important to look at what each person offers, their values, and their lifestyle. Why should that be any different when looking for a job? We know that finding the perfect job match can be as daunting as finding the right partner, so we’ve come up with 3 ways to find your perfect job match, minus the swiping!
A very common icebreaker question is “If you could do anything for the rest of your life, what would it be?” Travel is one of the top answers, but it may not always be the most practical. Brainstorm ways your experience can intersect with your hobbies, passions, and interests! Don’t pigeonhole yourself with just one field, expand your search to include any industry where you can incorporate your passion. And if you have your heart set on jet setting, why not incorporate that aspect into your job search by looking for a job that would require you to travel? Get creative with how you think about ways passion and hobbies can play a role in your day-to-day work responsibilities.
When looking for your perfect job match, it is important to consider your strengths. What aspects of your past work experiences did you enjoy the most and where did you feel most successful? Just like in dating, each partner has strengths and weaknesses, and you want to contribute your strengths where others may not be as strong! Look through the job description and be honest with yourself. Make sure that the most frequent tasks match up with your strengths, and recognize that there will be room to grow in every position if you are unfamiliar with some of the responsibilities.
While there are several important factors to consider in your search for the perfect job match, company culture is most likely one of the top. According to our 2018 Job Market Report, alignment with the company mission and values is number 5 on the list of the top 10 things employees said made them happy. Other things that made the list are a sense of pride in one’s organization, feeling respected at work, and open communication! When applying to different companies be sure to pay attention to how they are portraying their company culture. Whether it is through their social media platforms, newsletters, or content on their website, this will give you insight into the culture before you even step foot through the door. During the interview, be sure to take time to look around and examine the office environment, and get a feel for the pace and how colleagues interact with one another. Just like swiping on a dating app, try not to judge by the profile photo, but look into the companies you are applying to. Take the time to read each job description, and be sure to work on your resume and showcase your passions and strengths to put your best foot forward! Think you’re ready to find your perfect match?
Check out our open jobs here! If you are interested in more facts on what makes employees happy in their current positions, download your free copy of our 2018 Job Market Report here!