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.
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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
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