How many of us have wished that we could find a job that pays well AND that we can actually enjoy? Many times, we end up compromising our interests for a position to just cover bills, leaving us dreading the sound of an alarm clock no matter what time it is. Luckily, there are ways of finding and pursuing a position that we actually want to do. It’s mostly a matter of first knowing where to look and how to approach the perfect career opportunity.
This blog has affiliate links. This means that, at no extra cost to you, if you so choose to participate in some of the learning opportunities here, we at Kyrabe Stories may receive a commission as gratitude from the partnering companies. Thank you sincerely for your support and for your desire to learn and grow! I hope you enjoy the blog!
When I first started applying for dream positions, I canceled a bunch of applications for positions that I REALLY wanted because there were a few specific skills I didn’t have on the description list. It could be something like “3-5+ years of work experience” or “Proficient with [random software]”. After declining myself the opportunity so many times, I finally spoke to a trusted professor, and she explained that many job descriptions were like spoiled Christmas lists. Yes, someone who had EVERYTHING would be ideal, but sometimes being proficient in at least 50% of the list and motivated to learn the other half in a timely manner is still acceptable. Don’t decline yourself the opportunity. Let the desired company be the one to say no, and remember that you can usually re-apply later if a similar position opens again. You’d be surprised at how many “similar” skills listed on your resume are still a-ok!
One of the worst positions I voluntarily placed myself in was doing hard-sells through a promotional company. Now don’t get me wrong, I loved my coworkers, supervisors, and managers there. I just HATED doing hard-sells! I needed the money, so I figured, “Why not? They’re hiring, and it’ll just be temporary until I can get into my preferred industry.”
Now in previous blogs, I have pointed out that I have social anxiety when it comes to approaching strangers. This alone should have been a red flag for me not to jump to the first job offer that became available. Unfortunately, I was more concern with bills than my sanity. Results: having a complete meltdown in the middle of Sam’s Club less than a month into the position and needing to visit a psychologist later that week at the local VA Medical Center. Till this day, I still don’t like being behind a kiosk stand anymore.
So please, please, PLEASE answer these questions on a blank sheet of paper (or subscribe to access our free OneDrive printout for this) before you accept a job that’s only meant to pay the bills! Yes, expenses can be stressful, but a job that doesn’t fit your interests can be even more stressful!
This is not a trick question. List ANYTHING that makes you happy! It could be crocheting, playing videogames, hiking, cooking/baking, playing with dogs, reading, writing, singing, dancing, roller skating, the list can go on for days!
The reason I’m having you list these things is that there are positions that will pay you to do the things you love! Don’t believe me? I grew up re-watching VHS recordings of Hip-Hop dancers because I loved their movements and had fun learning the dances too. In 2017, I discovered that I could get certified to teach Hip-Hop Aerobics for beginners and a campus was looking for dance instructors! I was paid $40 per one-hour class to teach beginners how to dance the same moves I learned from watching music videos! Passion pays!
Although the hard-sales gig may have scarred me for life, I did enjoy the morning training on how to deliver a sale. It was summed up into five steps: introduction, short story, presentation, closing, and rehash. I won’t go into the details about each step, but what’s important is that because I love writing (hence why I began blogging), I learned to incorporate those steps into how I lay out my stories and present the affiliations we are a part of. I may not have liked the sales job itself, but it still provided valuable skills that I could use later.
Think carefully about what you learned from previous jobs. Did you have a supervisor/manager that was also an awesome leader? What was it that made them an amazing person to look up to that you can incorporate into your own skills? Did you learn special recipes from working at a diner? How about computer skills from working front desk or retail? Those are all priceless skills that you can use to promote yourself!
This list will grow over time. I didn’t realize how much I hated doing hard-sales until I actually did it. I also don’t like blood and have a tremendous fear of snakes, so I know to avoid positions or environments that involve these as well. From the military, I learned that I don’t care much about helicopter mechanics either (yeah, this is like the most random job entry on my resume at the moment).
Be completely honest with yourself here. If you don’t like working with children, write it down! If you cannot stand the smell of cigarette smoke, write that down too! Do you catch yourself saying, “I can tolerate it”? WRITE IT DOWN! Yes, there will be times when we may need to negotiate our terms, but there also needs to be a point where you WILL cross the line and say NO!
I think the best example I have for this was my discovery that I could get paid to be a blogger. I’ve loved creative writing since I was a kid, but I figured that a writing job was limited to journalists or big-time authors. I didn’t think anyone would care about my short stories. After my breakdown doing hard-sells and a mini-intervention with my managers/supervisors, one had suggested that I looked into Content Marketing. Check out our blog “Work for Your Passion, Not Just for a Paycheck” for more details on this story! Long story short, I discovered that I could combine the things I learned from sales with creative storytelling. That’s when I came across the need for bloggers.
My blog is still young, but I’ve been extremely happy with watching it grow and evolve into my own passion project and side gig. Your case may be different, but there are opportunities out there to explore! Use your list or download the PDF below to pinpoint what position will be perfect for you!
What do you call a dream professional position without any pay? A hobby.
Glassdoor is an amazing site for discovering price ranges for your dream position. Don’t be afraid to ask for a fair price for your unique skill sets and personality! I admit that it was hard for me to answer the question for pay. I’m still learning that if I cannot define my worth, then other’s will either think I’m “worth less” or worse “worthless”. Do your research, list your skills, calculate what you need to not only survive but thrive, and place your price. Many times, you’re worth a lot more than you give yourself credit for.
Finally, at no point in life should we stop learning! Our societies and opportunities are constantly changing, so take advantage of as many learning opportunities as possible! There are so many affordable resources out there to help strengthen needed skills. I personally use LinkedIn Learning to teach myself a variety of skills ranging from business to technology to creative topics. It is a monthly subscription, but you can try it free for a month! We have a link where you can try it at https://kyrabestories.com/linkedinlearning
Also, we have a page dedicated to book recommendations if you prefer reading instead. If the book is available on Audible, it’s a great way to finish many books during transit or walks by just listening to them! You can download the app for free from our link https://kyrabestories.com/Audible!
Have you ever had a position that had you dreading every shift? What motivated you to pursue something better? Please leave a comment below. We would love to read your stories as well! If you found this blog helpful, please share with friends! If you enjoy our stories, please subscribe to the newsletter for more learning opportunities if you haven’t already!
And as always, remember to just live and learn one story at a time!
Take care,
Kyndall Bennett from Kyrabe Stories
Imposter syndrome is a common struggle, especially for women in leadership roles. That nagging voice…
Switching jobs can be stressful, especially when you're not sure where to start. This list…
People naturally trust and follow leaders who know their stuff, so let’s go through six…
Some signs show that you are currently in a toxic work environment, and the purpose…
Could you use the 4 Ps of Marketing to give your career a boost? Of…
Here are some top marketing blogs and websites that are available to help marketers like…
View Comments
That is the dream isn't it? To have a job that you really enjoy....
That as well as provides enough for living expenses.
The only time I dreaded going to work was after I became a whistle blower. The irony is that I loved my job, but the director was making things miserable for me. Now, I'm retired. I miss the work I was doing and the people I worked with, but I don't miss crying on the way to work and on the way home....and at my desk, every day.
A horrible manager can cause so much distress to amazing employees! I remember my fiance would come home contemplating on leaving a position he actually enjoyed all due to a manager that had absolutely no leadership skills. He finally switched roles and found a position where he enjoyed the leadership. A bad manager can truly destroy a good business!
This is great info! I've done a lot of job searching & side gigging since I left the workforce to pursue the best career of all...motherhood. Thanks!!!
Being a parent I would have to say requires the most skills of all! I think it's good if you're in a position where you can experiment with various opportunities to see what you'll like best that corresponds with parenting as well!
I've never experience a job that I dreaded, but when I retired last December, I realized that I just "knew" it was time to stop working.
That's a blessing to have had great job experiences! I hope that retirement has been a new amazing adventure. ❤
I have been telling my husband for months to stop worrying about if you fit the description to a tee when searching for a job. Sell yourself! If you believe you will be a good fit I feel like you can make them want you. We all want to be doing something we love and enjoy!
So true! I had someone once tell me that a company's job description is like a spoiled kid's Christmas list: realistically, not everything will be checked off the pickier the list is. ?
I had a job right after I finished college that was hard. I had a college degree and yet I was getting paid hardly anything. It was really hard to go in everyday but I stuck with it because the benefits were really good. I eventually quit and moved on.
? Unfortunately, I believe that many companies do that, especially if turn over is high and quick. When I worked technical support, they dropped our hours from 40 a week to 30, which was a major hit on my paycheck. On top of that, when I gave one manager my two-week notice, another manager contacted my recruiter and told THEM to tell me not to bother coming back since I was leaving anyway.
I love this post so much, because I'm finally doing something I love. When I decided I needed a change, I thought about what I loved to do the most. Computer, watch TV, read, write, and travel. Well, I'm doing it! I started a whole new career in February starting a blog. And now I'm going a giant step forward ... and starting a traveling vlog on YouTube! I'm doing it!
That is amazing, Kymberly! I believe that your upcoming vlog will help be a huge motivator for people to realize that it is possible to make a living doing things that we love to do!
Well said, Kyndall! I'm passing this along to my daughter!
Thank you, Suzan! I hope that your daughter finds it helpful!
Oh, direct sales! You are a brave, brave woman! But really, I'm glad you've found passion in writing!
Never again, Jill. I'm grateful for what I learned, but I would rather go back into the military working on helicopters again than to go back to working direct sales! Power to the people who do it passionately!
Such a great article! I recently was unsture of what I needed to do but knew I needed a career change! These are things that I wish I had read.
One good thing about a bad position is that once we find a wonderful one, we appreciate that new position 10 times more because we now have something to compare it to!