How to find the job you want! The Three Types of Jobs in your career.

Are you looking for a job? Have you found a job and you are not happy? Are you looking for a Career? Most of us will change jobs to make more money, or because the job we had has been transitioned or lost due to the ups and downs of the economy. We will search the want ads and the jobs boards and interview any number of times as a working adult. While you are looking for a job you need to realize there are really only three types of jobs in your career; the job you have, the job you need and your dream job.

The Job you have.

Do you have a job? If not, then you need to find any job. Stop looking for your dream job. We live in a “What have you done for me lately” society. The job you need right now may not be the job you want, more on that later; If you do not have a job, take any job you can find that does not put your life in danger or have you doing anything illegal or immoral.

The job you have right now is the foundation of your career. The job you have right now will supply some kind of income to make living possible. It may not be the job you want, but it will at least give you something to put on your resume and also give you some kind of reference. The job you have may not be your dream job, but it is a start. If you are not working, find a job; any job.

Most of us when looking for a job are looking for the job we want. We should be looking for the job we need. Let’s say I want to be the Guitar Player for the Beatles Reunion Tour. Well unless Paul and Ringo decide to tour together, I am barking up the wrong tree. Also, if I am not known as the Preeminent Second Coming of George or John, why would they hire me for the job? Sometimes the job we want does not exist. Other times the job we want is a real stretch to say the least. Now let’s say that I am a really good Beatles Songs Session Player, I may have to start or settle for playing in a Beatles Tribute Band. Now if I am not working as a musician, I need to start, get a gig, any gig and get my name out there. If I do not have a job, the job I need is any job. If I have a job, say as a plumber, then the job I need is a steady gig as a musician.

The job you have pays the bills and gives you a chance at the job you need. The job you need gives you the experience to be ready for the job you want. Let’s say I want to own a bank. I may have to take a job as a bank teller, and then try to get a job as a bank manager, so I can be in line to open a bank one day. Say I want to be President of the United States. Unless my name is very well known, I may have to start out running for the local school board or working on another person’s campaign. Once I get the a job any job, then the job I need may be running for a higher position like city council or becoming a campaign manager. First I need a job, any job. If I have a job; then I need to look for a job that will give me the experience to be in line for the job I want.

Sometimes you are next in the line for your dream job. Then the job you have is the job you need. This is the time that life is pretty good. People may offer you jobs that you don’t want while you are waiting for a shot at the job you do want. Keep your focus. The job you need gives you experience for the job you want.

Sometimes the job you have will not get you in line for the job you want or even the job you need. This is a great time to volunteer nights or weekends in a place where you can get the experience you need and build a network of references. If you try to volunteer at a place and they don’t want your help, move on to the next place. Someone out there is looking for what you can bring to the table, it may not be the first place you call or walk into.

Do you have a job? If yes then the job you need is the one that will get you more experience. If you do not have a job, then the job you need is any job that does not break the law or comprise your morals and principals. Are you in line for the job you want? If yes, then do a great job at the job you have. Help others be good at their job. Be the go to person that makes things better for everyone. If you are not in line for the job you want, expand your search. Do you need to go back to school, or attend some workshops? Can you volunteer somewhere to get the skills you need to be considered for the job you want?

Do you have the job you want? How will you know? You will know because you like what you are doing and you can get ahead of your bills. You will know because you are helping others be successful and you can control your destiny. You will know because other job offers do not appeal to you. This is also true when you are working at the job you need. You will feel needed and appreciated and you will feel like you are growing and learning. You will feel ready and able to take the next job, your dream job when called upon; and the people around you will feel like you are the right choice for your dream job when it comes open. When you are really on top of your game, someone may create a position just for you, or you may start your own business doing what you always dreamed of doing.

If Paul and Ringo called me up and needed a guitar player, I would ask them for a list of songs and jam all night to be ready to go first thing tomorrow. It would be a little late to not know how to play the guitar or not even have one to play. So the real question is how do I get on that short list?

So let’s recap. If you do not have a job; take any job that you kind find and build up your references. Volunteer while you are searching, network and someone may help you find that first job. If you have a job but you need more experience; volunteer somewhere or attend classes or workshops to gain the experience you need for the job you want. Find the job you need that will put you in line for the job you want. Don’t’ take it for granted. Be thankful for each day you are given and make the most of it.