Is it even possible to have a "dream job"?
And if it's possible, why does it feel impossible to find?
Wouldn't there be a line down the block for people applying to that job?
These are all questions I have asked myself at one time or another and I find that similar questions are often asked by my clients. It's the elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about. Do dream jobs even exist?
Yes they do, but you are asking yourself the wrong question if you want to find it.
I often find that people looking for a "dream job" are looking in the wrong places. They are looking to friends, peers, former coworkers, social media, and other external locations for a blinking neon sign with the words "This is the sign you've been looking for."
Dream jobs exist, but they will never be a one-size fits all option. You don't wear the same size shoe as your best friend or have the same life experience as your coworker. Why on earth would you think that the path they choose is going to be the same path that leads you to your dream job? Your version of a dream job needs to be the best fit for you.
The question you need to be asking is, "What is my key driver when it comes to my career?"
All of us answer that question differently.
Do you work to financially provide for a family? Do you feel a calling to leave a legacy? Are you working so you can financially afford your wants and not just your needs? Do you work so you can devote resources to a hobby outside of your 9-5?
The answer to why you work is the key to you finding our dream job.
Let's say your key driver is the ability to have financial abundance. You like to spend money on wants and don't want to worry about being on a fixed budget every month. However, you also have secondary drivers of wanting to work in the outdoors, leave a legacy, and have workplace flexibility. You recently found a 20 hr/week remote job that allows you to work on outdoor conservatorship. Sounds like the perfect fit!
Wait.
Your key driver is financial abundance. A 20 hr/week job will not give you the financial means to live free of a fixed budget. Yes, this job may be a temporary fit, but long term this job won't be the dream job. Instead, you should focus on finding a job that puts your financial freedom first. What about a job in a large established company that provides outdoor equipment? This role requires 2-3 days in the office and matches employees donations to local charities. Your key driver of financial stability will be fulfilled, which is the most important element. But your secondary drivers are also met through a focus on the outdoors, the opportunity to give back to your community, and some flexibility in schedule.
We all have different goals and reasons for working. Lean into your values, goals, and vision to find the dream job that fits your needs!
Are you struggling to identify the key driver in your career? Schedule a session with a career coach, we would love to help you!