The Smartest Strategy for Finding Your Next Dream Job

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“M My job is like a nightmarish bureaucracy from a Kafka novel. ," a younger acquaintance explained to me. I gathered he was referencing Franz Kafka’s renowned 1915 surreal novella." The Metamorphosis In this narrative, the main character, Gregor Samsa, is confined to an existence as a travel representative, finding his routine tedious and devoid of purpose. "Every single day—I'm always on the move," Gregor muses. "The agony of constant travel, the stress of catching connecting trains, consuming poor meals at odd times, continually encountering unfamiliar people; none of these connections deepen or become more personal." It appears that his life holds just as much importance—or lack thereof—as perhaps a roach that aimlessly scuttles around without significance until eventually fading away unnoticed. This is precisely when the writer’s imaginative brilliance shines through: Gregor literally transforms into a large insect (typically depicted in visual renditions as a cockroach) revealing the absurdity of his situation.

I thought my friend was using a metaphor and didn’t consider checking if he had experienced something similar to Gregor’s plight. Rather, I concluded that he should alter his circumstances and provided him with socially-sourced guidance on navigating the job search effectively. You might empathize with my friend’s sense of disconnection and powerlessness in your professional journey. Alternatively, maybe you just wish for higher earnings. Regardless, know this: at any point in time, countless individuals feel as though they are in the same boat as you do. substantial proportion Many U.S. employees are seeking improved employment opportunities.

Nevertheless, you might still be reluctant to take the plunge, particularly in today’s unpredictable economy, due to uncertainty about whether changing jobs will improve or worsen your situation. Therefore, allow me to pass along the counsel I offered to a friend—a strategy aimed at helping you organize your job hunt more effectively by identifying and addressing your concerns through logical analysis.

[ From the July/August 2024 edition: Cease attempting to grasp Kafka. ]

F or most people , switching careers is a major source of stress. As reported by study that used the Holmes-Rahe Life Stress Inventory standard evaluation instrument, modifying your employment creates On average, losing a spouse causes roughly three times the stress compared to this event, whereas getting divorced creates twice as much distress. It also generates approximately equal levels of anxiety as losing a close friend and around one-and-a-half times the tension from stopping smoking. Therefore, it’s understandable why individuals with stable employment often hesitate before leaving their jobs, particularly if they're dissatisfied but otherwise have satisfactory work lives.

Individuals often oppose significant life alterations, like securing a new position, due in part to physiological factors. The brain tends to operate more efficiently, consuming lesser energy, when it can depend on established memories—thus avoiding the necessity of handling excessive novel data. This phenomenon has roots in neuroscience. hypothesis This sheds light on why certain individuals are rigid and close-minded; it also clarifies their aversion to change—highlighting why they might hesitate to acquire new professional abilities, engage with unfamiliar coworkers, adapt to working under a different supervisor, or devise a more efficient daily route.

Psychologists have examined the traits of individuals who are least inclined to resign. Consistent with expectations, they discovered that this typically includes people with risk-averse temperaments. For instance, a 2015 research project focusing on German IT workers revealed similar findings. showed Even when employees had a similarly strong desire to leave their jobs, those who resisted change were approximately one-third less likely to actually do so, compared to those who were receptive to change.

My deceased father was part of this resilient group. I recall him glancing over job postings within his field and remarking, "I'd really like to apply for one of these positions." "So why not?" I questioned him. He stared at me as though the very idea was utterly preposterous. However, my dad possessed an attribute that elucidates his hesitance to switch careers more aptly: extreme conscientiousness. Researchers in 2016 explored this trait further. theorized People who possess this favorable characteristic might particularly dislike being perceived as frequent job changers and are more inclined to make the most out of their current role.

Considering this kind of opposition, what individuals truly wish to discover is if switching jobs, despite the upheaval and unpredictability involved, will probably result in increased contentment. The response is probably Clearly, the ultimate decision hinges on your level of dissatisfaction with your current job and the merits of the new opportunity. However, as mentioned in my earlier writing, column , according to one study Job switchers usually gave their previous positions a satisfaction score of 4.5 out of 7. In contrast, their initial satisfaction with the new role was higher at around 6 within the first six weeks, though this often declined to approximately 5.5 after an additional six months. Nonetheless, achieving a lasting increase in happiness by one point is still quite significant.

Far more intriguing for the working Gregor Samkas is exploring what occurs when you don’t Stop working. Even though you're unlikely to transform into a cockroach, numerous studies have demonstrated that persistently low job satisfaction can lead to mental health issues. A 2019 study involving Japanese civil servants found that researchers examined the impact on employees' moods one year following their reports of job dissatisfaction. found The study found that job dissatisfaction had a significant correlation with depression during the one-year follow-up period.

Unsurprisingly, the quality of an individual's work also declines under these circumstances. Scholars have examined "off-the-job embeddedness," which occurs when someone remains with a specific employer due to external factors like proximity to their children’s school or the location of their purchased home. found In 2017, it was found that this behavior reduces job performance and commitment, as well as increasing absenteeism.

[ Rogé Karma: The California Job-Slayer That Never Was ]

I if the U.S. job market Were experiencing a recession, the concerns you may have about resigning could be entirely warranted. Nonetheless, under current circumstances, you might prefer to address your anxiety and make the leap. The most effective approach is beginning with the acknowledgment that worrying It represents a type of undirected fear. To make sound choices amid uncertainty without excessive worry, you must concentrate your attention precisely. why you feel discontented and precisely what This way, the entire career-change process becomes more defined and less daunting.

A useful guideline for this can be found in the work of my Harvard associate Ethan Bernstein and his collaborators Michael B. Horn and Bob Moesta. They have recently published a book on this topic. Job Moves Documents the experiences of numerous career switchers and reveals that their transitions are primarily driven by one of four "quest" categories. It’s likely that your main reason for job discontentment aligns with their framework—and similarly, one of these quests might help guide your evaluation of potential opportunities.

Quest 1: Get out.

Your current role seems stagnant, and consequently, your prospects appear quite bleak—much like a cockroach’s existence. This might stem from feeling trapped with little chance for growth or improvement, possibly due to an obstructive supervisor hindering your path forward. It would be wise to seek out a fresh employment situation where you feel nurtured and stimulated. Be sure to inquire about these aspects during interviews for potential positions.

Quest 2: Regain control.

The issue here is that you don’t have any. say The analogy used here is more akin to ahamster than acockroach. This typically signifies a stiff corporate environment or an overbearing supervisor. In your job hunt, aim to secure a position where you can have greater input on your working conditions, including hours and location.

Quest 3: Regain alignment.

Your discontent might rather originate from feeling misunderstood, disrespected, or underappreciated. Such issues typically indicate a managerial issue and are quite prevalent. As per the Harvard Business Review , 54% of U.S. employees report They feel they aren't getting sufficient respect from their supervisor. To identify a more suitable fit, it’s important not only to evaluate your prospective manager during the interview process but also to converse with current members of the company. While doing this, make certain to inquire directly about whether the firm promotes a culture of respect and acknowledgment.

Quest 4: Proceed to the following stage.

In this scenario, your lack of satisfaction at work isn’t due to your employer; rather, you’ve moved beyond what your current position or career trajectory can offer. Such realizations often come about during significant life events, like reaching age 50 or when your children become independent. A key indicator is feeling mildly bored with things staying the same. Identifying this issue demands careful consideration: Pay close attention to what you’re saying to yourself. gut feeling to explore various alternatives.

[ Arthur C. Brooks: The key to workplace contentment ]

T he authors of Job Moves encourage their audience to remember one crucial aspect when switching jobs: Seek out improvement , not perfection When you feel trapped in life, it’s tempting to view changing jobs as the cure-all for every problem. However, reality often tells a different story. Just as previously discussed, during the initial year of switching jobs, your happiness level might rise from a 4.5 to a 5.5 rather than soaring up to a perfect 7 on the contentment meter. A fresh position isn’t going to mend your relationship or regrow lost hair. You ought to anticipate encountering both pros and cons with this decision. less In a new role—an improved job might also be a more challenging one, for example.

When you consider it, discovering a new job that is flawless in all aspects would indeed be quite rare. surreal . Similar to transforming into a cockroach.