Ways to cultivate a fulfilling career
We’ve seen the memes on TikTok. A beautiful backdrop of a beach or mountains and the caption says, ‘if the world looks like this, why do I have to have a career.’ We get it. We’d also love to be on a beautiful beach or in the mountains. It’s easy to understand why you may feel this way if your career isn’t fulfilling. But you don’t have to live your life unhappy in a career you don’t enjoy.
You deserve to be happy, so we’ve put together some helpful tips and guidance for cultivating a career that gives you more purpose and meaning.
Things to consider when cultivating a fulfilling career
1. Work life balance
Creating a balance between your professional and personal life is crucial to fostering a fulfilling career. Not creating a proper balance between your life and your work can wreak havoc on your mental health, leading to burnout and more stress. When organizations allow you to be flexible with your schedule and prioritize work-life balance, you’re happier going to work, feel appreciated and trusted, and can truly disconnect when you’re off the clock.
2. Growth opportunities
Growth is a major part of having a career. Some employees leave companies because of lack of growth with 25% of employees saying they’ll likely quit due to not having career development opportunities.
When people can’t grow, they become bored in their careers and feel unappreciated by their organization. If an organization invests in you and your career, it can make a huge difference in how you feel going to work. Companies providing growth opportunities will make you feel invested in, appreciated, and valued.
3. Finding a career with a hobby
You spend most of your life at work, so you should have a career you don’t dread going to on Monday. Find a job that ties in with one of your hobbies. For example, if you volunteer in your free time, try finding a job at a nonprofit organization. This allows you to utilize your skillset in an environment that aligns with your passion for helping people.
4. Utilize the skills you’re most confident in
Feeling confident in your job plays a key role in whether a career is fulfilling for you or not. Search for jobs that focus on your strengths. If you’re a good writer, find jobs that are focused on writing, like content creation or public relations. If you excel at analytics and developing strategies around those insights, find analyst jobs that will have you taking deep dives in data.
Tips for cultivating a fulfilling career
1. Advocate for yourself
Advocating for yourself is scary. You might be afraid of how your boss might react, but not doing so can ensure the needs you want to discuss will never be addressed or met. Advocating for your needs can be asking to take a backseat on projects if you don’t have enough bandwidth. It can also be discussing why you’re ready for a promotion.
Additionally, this can be setting work boundaries to maintain a healthy work-life balance, such as not working on your days off and putting limits on working after hours. Establishing healthy boundaries will allow you to truly disconnect outside of work hours and let you be present with the people in your life.
2. Proactively seek out learning and growth opportunities when cultivating a fulfilling career
Seeking growth and upskilling opportunities can make you feel more fulfilled in your career since you’ll be learning new skills. Sharing with your boss that you’re ready to implement new ideas, take on new projects, and learn skills through courses can allow you to grow and develop your skillset and career trajectory at your company.
What to do if your current position isn’t fulfilling
If your job isn’t fulfilling and makes you wonder if the grass is greener somewhere else, it might be time to find a new position. Here are some tips about finding a job that would make you happy heading into the office.
Create a plan/path
You’ve reached a point where you realize you can’t have a fulfilling career at your current organization. Start by developing a plan for your next steps. This plan might include a timeline for updating your resume and LinkedIn profile and applying for new positions.
Also, take some time to think about what type of company you’d want to work for. Do you want a remote or hybrid position? Do you want a rich company culture? What industry do you want to work in? These are things you need to take into consideration so that you can focus your efforts on applying to the right positions.
Find a mentor
Relying on a mentor can help you better understand your current career or help you learn more about one you want to pivot to. Especially if you’re looking to make a complete career change, they can provide guidance for breaking into the industry, inform you what their day-to-day job looks like, and connect you with professionals who can act as stepping stones for you when starting a new profession.
Ask the right questions during the job interview
When looking for a new job, you need to be armed with interview questions that can help you uncover if the company aligns with your needs. Below are some sample questions to ask a hiring manager during your interview.
- What learning and growth opportunities do you offer employees here?
- What is your management style?
- What does work-life balance look like here? How do you encourage work life balance for employees?
- What is the team dynamic like?
Ready to make your next move?
If you’re ready to find your next position but don’t know where to start? Addison Group is your first step. With more than 20 years of experience, we understand what it takes to find a new role. We also know that finding a company that matches your goals and appreciates everything you bring to the table makes all the difference. So don’t settle for what’s there, let us find you the job that fits. Visit our jobs page or reach out to us today to start cultivating a fulfilling career!
