If you have tried a few different roles and have yet to be fulfilled, you are not alone. Finding a career that aligns with your skills, values, and goals can feel overwhelming, but it is achievable with the right strategies. Our guide will help you understand your preferences, uncover the clues that lead to a fulfilling career, and explain how staffing agencies can help you along the way.
Understanding Your Career Preferences
The first step to finding a job that suits you is to identify your preferences. Knowing what motivates and excites you will help narrow your options.
- Reflect on Your Previous Jobs:
Ask yourself what you liked and disliked about each role you have held. Were there certain tasks or environments that energized you? Did you feel drained by specific responsibilities or workplace cultures? Reflecting on past experiences provides valuable insights into what you need in a future role. - Assess Your Skills and Strengths:
Consider what you are good at and enjoy doing. These may include technical skills, like data analysis or graphic design, or soft skills, like communication or problem-solving. Knowing your strengths can guide you toward careers where those abilities are highly valued. - Define Your Values:
Think about what matters most to you in a job. Do you prioritize work-life balance, financial growth, creativity, or the chance to make an impact? A job that aligns with your core values is more likely to bring long-term satisfaction.
What to Look for in Job Descriptions and Companies
When searching for a job that suits you, pay attention to the details in job postings and company profiles. These are some key elements to consider:
- Role Responsibilities: Look for tasks that excite you or align with your strengths. If a job description emphasizes skills or duties that you find enjoyable, it is a good indicator that you may thrive in that role.
- Company Culture: Research company reviews, mission statements, and social media profiles to understand their values and workplace culture. Seek out organizations that share your priorities, whether that means collaboration, innovation, or community engagement.
- Growth Opportunities: If you want to grow within your career, prioritize employers who provide training, mentorship, or clear pathways for advancement.
- Flexibility and Benefits: Consider what additional factors — such as remote work options, health benefits, or a supportive work environment — are essential for your happiness and productivity.
How to Know What Career Is Right for You
Finding the right career is often a process of discovery. While it may take time, there are actionable steps to guide you toward clarity:
- Try Different Roles:
Temporary or contract work is an excellent way to explore various industries and job functions without committing to a long-term role. Staffing agencies like AtWork can connect you to temporary positions that allow you to gain hands-on experience and refine your career goals. - Seek Guidance:
Career assessments and guidance from mentors or career coaches can provide additional perspective. Tools like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or StrengthsFinder can help you identify career paths that align with your personality and strengths. - Network with Professionals:
Talking to people who work in roles or industries you are interested in can offer valuable insight. Informational interviews or attending industry events can help you gain a better understanding of what a specific career entails. LinkedIn can be a strong resource for information and networking. - Experiment and Evaluate:
Your career path does not have to be linear. If a job does not feel like the perfect fit, view it as a learning opportunity to better understand what you want from your career.
Why Working with a Staffing Agency Can Help
Partnering with a staffing agency can significantly simplify your career search. If you are asking, “How do I find a job that suits me?” Staffing agencies have the tools, resources, and expertise to guide you.
Access to a Wide Range of Opportunities:
A staffing agency’s extensive network of employers means you will have access to positions in various industries, from healthcare and manufacturing to administrative and IT. This variety allows you to explore different roles and find one that truly aligns with your interests and skills.
Personalized Support:
Staffing agency recruiters take the time to understand your career goals, preferences, and strengths. They do not just match candidates to job descriptions — they connect you to opportunities that suit your unique needs.
Flexibility to Explore:
Temporary and temp-to-perm positions allow you to try out a role. These roles let you experience different work environments and responsibilities, helping you determine what you enjoy most.
Expert Guidance:
Navigating the job market can feel daunting, but AtWork’s team provides insights into industry trends, resume optimization, and interview preparation. Their expertise ensures you are well-prepared for every step of the process.
The Benefits of Temporary Work in Finding Your Path
Temporary work is a strategic way to explore your options and gain valuable experience. Temporary roles can offer:
- Diverse Experiences: Temporary positions expose you to various industries, work environments, and job functions.
- Skill Development: These roles allow you to build new skills and refine existing ones, making you a more competitive candidate for future opportunities.
- Networking Opportunities: Temporary work connects you to professionals and employers who can open doors to permanent roles.
- Clarity in Preferences: By working in different settings, you can better understand what motivates and fulfills you professionally.
Conclusion
With decades of experience in staffing and workforce solutions, AtWork helps businesses strengthen their business resilience through:
- Rapid Response Staffing: Whether you need temporary, temp-to-hire, or direct-hire solutions, AtWork connects you with top talent quickly.
- Industry Expertise: Our recruiters specialize in understanding the unique needs of industries, providing candidates who can seamlessly integrate into your business.
- Proactive Workforce Planning: We work with you to anticipate staffing needs, ensuring you are prepared for both planned growth and unexpected challenges.
- On-Site Staffing Support: For businesses with high-volume needs, AtWork provides dedicated, on-site staffing management to maintain progress.
Why AtWork
AtWork is a national, award-winning staffing company with local owners and a culture of caring about those we serve. For more than 30 years, we have built partnerships that go beyond simply filling open positions. This is how we are AtWork For You:
- Locally owned – We live in your market. Our owners are there to provide personalized service, troubleshoot, and quickly solve for your needs. We understand the market, industries, and employment opportunities.
- True partners – We listen, we care, and we work to build relationships with our candidates. We treat our candidates and clients with respect and professionalism. Each year, our partners rate us with industry-leading scores as one of the best staffing agencies through Clearly Rated.
- Solutions based – Our goal is a brighter future for everyone. By understanding your needs, pain points, and opportunities, we offer creative solutions, exceptional execution, and timely communication.
- Personalized support – Our industry-certified professionals provide rigorous recruiting, onboarding services, skills testing, safety training, ongoing communication with candidates, benchmarking, and consulting.
Let us show you the AtWork Difference today. Visit atwork.com to review job openings and to connect with one of our offices.
