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PD Blog

Making Your Present Job Your Perfect Job

Matthew Frye-Castillo

By Terri Bozkaya, General Counsel & SVP Human Resources

Everyone is different. One person’s dream is another person’s nightmare. 

When it comes to career choices, the same holds true; it’s very important to understand yourself and be able to identify the kind of activity that motivates you, sparks your interest, and keeps you coming back for more. 

Perhaps you are delighted by the work you perform each day. If so, keep on keeping on! 

If not, this simple three-part exercise will help you discover a “niche” that suits you along with some potential career goals: 

  1. Job description assessment: Take a close look at your current job description and think about what you do well, not so well, and which activities (if any) you might be avoiding. While you’re doing this, make notes about which parts of your job you really enjoy and which parts you would rather not have to do. Are there parallels? Do you find that you enjoy the activities that you do really well? Spend some time with this self-reflection. 

  2. Team reflection & input: Ask your co-workers to tell you what they believe your two strongest traits or skills are. You may be surprised by what you learn. 

  3. Continual adjustment: Spend some time exploring a few questions designed to identify preferences that you have about work 

Exploratory Questions 

  1. On a scale of 1-5, with 5 being “awesome” and 1 being “grin and bear it,” how would you rank how you feel about your work? ____ 

  2. Today, right here and now, what would make you feel extremely positive about the direction of your career? 

  3. Describe your dream job. 

  4. What do you need in order to realize that dream? 

  5. Do you think your interests are supported by the systems in place right now? 

  6. Do you feel supported by your supervisor? __________By your fellow team members? __________ 

  7. What 3 things can you do in the next 12 months to move yourself in the direction that you choose? 

  8. Is something you need outside of your control? If so, name it. 

OPTIONAL QUESTIONS (answer if you DARE) 

9. If you were to live to be 100 or more, would you still want to retire at “normal” retirement age? 

10. If the answer to #9 is “no,” would you want to do what you’re doing now or something different after “retirement?” 

Have fun with this and, if you have some insights arise in the process, share your career development ideas with your manager! 

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