It can be easy to think the grass will be greener in a new job or role. But, here are three things to consider before you make a move. With some reflection, you may discover that your current situation might already be or could become what you ultimately want.
1. What do you actually want in your job? You might already have it or be not as far off as you think.
Many people don’t take the time to actually describe their dream job in detail. Before seeking greener pastures, ask yourself, “What, at the end of the day, do I really want in my job? What does my “dream job” actually look like?”
When you’re not clear on what you’re specifically looking for in a job, you could miss seeing how your current one may be actually pretty good. For many reasons we can fail to realize or overlook what we have. For instance, we may get caught up in wanting to work for the bigger, more prestigious companies in our industry and think our “dream jobs” only exist there, but what we actually do or experience in those other jobs might be no better than what we’ve got going for us now. Or we may be taking aspects of our current job for granted and risk only realizing this after we’ve left.
So, make a concrete list of what you want. For example, one could say they want to have opportunities for learning and growth, flexibility and/or variety in the projects they do, co-workers they enjoy working with, a manager/boss that is a strong leader to name a few. Next, after you have your list, look at the job you have now. Assuming that you’re not wanting to change industries or the type of work itself, it could very well be that you already have most of these things, that other jobs may be unlikely to be better or that you’re not as far off from what you want as you thought.
This exercise of outlining what you want is a great way not just to see clearly what you may already have, but also in identifying what is lacking and may need to change as I discuss next. As a bonus, it also helps you if you do ultimately conclude that you want to find a new job because then you’ll know exactly what to look for to realize your dream.
2. What do you need to change to make this your “dream job”? Take a close look and make specific asks.
If you’re unhappy at work it’s easy to feel that the job as a whole is bad. But if you take the time to pinpoint the specific source of your job dissatisfaction, you can take a look at what you might be able to change to make this job closer to what you want. Many people grossly underestimate their ability to change their situation at work. And if you think about it, we’re all unique so to have any job be your “dream job” will likely require some tweaking to make it feel best for you.
The key is to get specific. For example, the cause of your pain could be as specific as your boss’ habit of calling you after 8pm; or the fact that the painstaking monthly report you generate is below your pay grade; or maybe you lack a certain tool or resource you need to do your job well. Or maybe part of your dream is to work from home a few days a week.
Look deeply at your situation and try to find what the main issues are for you. Once you know exactly what is bothering you, you can identify what you would need to change to be happier. Asking for things can be uncomfortable, but remember that you can’t get it if you don’t ask and most employers would likely want to know what their employees need to be happy and accommodate them rather than have them leave; some even use “stay interviews” to help with retention. Use your best judgment on what’s reasonable to ask for, but also challenge your assumptions and don’t be too quick to think you’ll get a negative response. You could be pleasantly surprised and create your dream job if you just ask for what you need.
3. What is success to you? Bigger (job titles) doesn’t necessarily mean better.
Many people may already be pretty happy with their current situation but have the belief that a “dream job” has to have a big title or a lot of recognition and success associated with it. We can be left with a feeling that what we’re doing now, even if we enjoy it, isn’t good enough to be called a “dream job.”
Society’s definition of success often implies continuous advancement. We really need to begin challenging this cultural idea that everyone’s dream is to be the boss or a big deal. Because the thing is that a fancier title or going after more “success” in the traditional sense may change the nature of your work and so doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be happier or that you’ll enjoy the work more. Maybe where you are now is just perfect for you and if so, it’s perfectly fine to stay there. A dream job is about your dream and what you want, not anyone else's idea of what you should do or want.
And I know some may be thinking, “what if you can’t stay at the position where you are now?” I understand that in some industries you can’t stay in a position forever - promotions are expected - so if you find yourself not enjoying the “better” position, just know that it’s completely ok to consider other work options. And if you think creatively, there may even be roles in other firms or industries that let you use your skills and stay in your sweet spot.
So before you work hard towards that next level, it’s helpful to ask yourself, “What is my dream job, actually? And what is success to me?” The goal, in the end, is happiness and fulfillment, right? So, if you feel that with what you’re doing now I think you could consider yourself very successful and in a great place.
