5 Questions To Find Your Dream Job

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Debbie Choy, One of Thousands of Executive Coaches on Noomii.

Coach: “Are you happy with your job and life right now? If you could get any job in the world, what would that be?”
Client: “Well, that’s nice, but will that pay the bills?”

Does that conversation sound familiar? When I talk to people who are looking for a change in their lives or jobs, they sometimes have a hard time separating their HOBBY from an ideal JOB. To help you through this career visioning process, ask yourself these 5 questions to find your dream job.

• 1. Does it make you excited to get out of bed in the morning? *

Make a list of the things that you are passionate about, and ask yourself if you can stand doing them from 8am to 5pm, five days a week. It is one thing to enjoy cooking for your family; it’s another thing to work in a sweltering kitchen cooking a few hundred meals during the busy dinner shift.

• 2. Is this something you’re good at doing? *

Be honest with yourself – how good really are you at this skill? Are you average or above average? If you are average, what can you do to improve your skills? Tellingly, if you are willing to take a course to improve your skills, you are probably interested enough in this skill in the first place. If you can get a license or a certification that shows others your qualifications, even better!
For example, if you love to cook, consider taking a course at a nearby culinary school to tell potential employers that you are qualified to do the job.

• 3. Is this a talent the job market will pay for? *

You may be so passionate about something that you’re willing to do it for free. But that will not pay the rent. Before diving head-first into cultivating a hobby or passion, find out if it’s a skill that you can get paid for.

First, do some research to see what jobs people with your skillset typically hold. Then, look up job openings on job boards to see the full job description and salary ranges. Does the job pay enough for you to live the type of lifestyle you want?

• 4. Is there a balance of things you like and dislike? *

Now that you know which part of the job you are most passionate about, look at which parts of the job description you may dislike. Ensure that there is a balance. For example, if you hate butchering meat and being a chef requires that, ask yourself if this is something you can tolerate. If the things you dislike about a job outweighs the things you like, this is likely not your dream job.

• 5. Does the job displace everything else in your life? *

Most jobs allow you to pursue it while maintaining family and friends. However, some jobs require more personal sacrifices. For example, joining the Peace Corps will require that you relocate to another part of the world for at least a year or two. Other jobs require extremely long hours or extensive travel. You have to decide how much you are willing to give up, and where to draw the line.

I hope that the above 5 questions to find your dream job are helpful. Your dream job today may not be your dream job tomorrow, for example, once you start a family, your priorities may change. The important thing is to re-evaluate your changing needs and ask yourself the above questions to find your next dream job.