Six questions to ask yourself when searching for your dream job

Do you find yourself increasingly dreading Monday mornings? If you have lost the passion and motivation for your job, maybe it is time for a new step. According to recruitment specialist Robert Walters, there are six essential questions to ask yourself when looking for a job that really suits you.  

1. What do I actually like about my job?  

It is tempting to dream about the perfect job: a role where every minute is exciting, the pay is great and the benefits are unmatched. Yet it is more realistic and effective to reflect on what you liked or disliked in previous roles. Think back to the last time you felt fully engaged and fulfilled at work. What caused that feeling?

Maybe you found the subject interesting or got energised by contributing to something worthwhile. Or maybe the role offered room for creativity or allowed you to work with the latest technologies. Whatever it was, try to identify those elements so you can include them in your search for a new challenge.

2. What am I good at? 

Passion and talent often go hand in hand. It is therefore important to take an honest look at your own skills. List both your hard skills (e.g. technical knowledge) and your soft skills, such as negotiating, handling difficult situations or time management.

Are you considering a career switch? Then it is particularly important to know your transferable skills. This will not only help you in job applications, but also give you more confidence during the process.

3. What else do I want to learn?

Learning never stops – certainly not in a professional environment. Whether you are a starter or a senior employee, continuing to develop yourself will keep your work interesting.  

Therefore, look for employers who really invest in their employees. Do not only consider what is said during job interviews, but also dive into social media and employee reviews to get a complete picture.

4. In which work culture do I flourish?  

A hip employer with fantastic benefits sounds great, but if the corporate culture does not suit you, you may still be unhappy. Ask yourself in which environment you perform best. Do you need structure or do you thrive in a flexible, creative setting? A little online research can shed a lot of light on this.

5. What kind of impact do I want to make? 

Consider not only what an employer can offer you, but also what you can do for the organisation.

For example, would you like to help others, lead projects or participate in community initiatives? Be sure to bring this up during a job interview.

6. What suits my current lifestyle?

Your stage of life also plays a big role in what is a suitable job for you. Do you have young children? Then financial security and flexible working hours may be more important than an exciting career path. Instead, are you free and unfettered? Then a job where you can travel a lot might be what you are looking for. Or maybe you are at a stage where your personal values weigh more heavily in your job choice.  

Finally, one last piece of advice: don't put too much pressure on yourself to find that dream job right away. It might take some time or it might come in steps. By thinking carefully about what is really important to you, you increase your chances of ending up in the right place.   

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