Steve Jobs, at a Stanford commencement speech, said “And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” Settling for a job that you are not excited about may 
relieve difficulties in the short term but can be detrimental in the long term. You may quickly become dissatisfied, and job hopping can be an unfortunate result.
You may attempt to hide these assignments from potential employers, in which case the “swiss cheese” effect – career holes in your resume – may raise questions among hiring managers and recruiters. A healthy dose of reality is not a bad idea in the current economy where jobs are hard to find. Some consider landing any job to be fortuitous. However, here are some ways to strike a balance between a job that can lead you in the right direction professionally, and one that may backfire.
- If you cannot identify your passions or interests, contact a staffing agency. A professional recruiter can assess your skills and interests and provide you with career options. Temporary assignments have the advantage of providing an income while, at the same time, you nurture a broad set of skills in a variety of areas. Eventually, you will identify the right direction to follow.
- According to Erika Andersen of Forbes, 89 percent of hiring failures is a result of poor cultural fit. Taking on temporary assignments gives you the opportunity to discern if a company is right for you. It may seem impossible to align your passions with a realistic way to earn a living; however, the more exposure you get, the closer you will come to finding the best fit.
- You may find that it is a component of a situation that appeals. It might be your work colleagues, the mission of the organization, or the actual work that you do. That component might be a stepping stone to something bigger, and you will not find everything that you desire at once.
Wherever you are in your career, there is a way to marry your passions with the need to make a living. It will take hard work and commitment, but hard work brings results.
Looking for Help in Your Job Search?
Contact a PrideStaff Las Vegas professional for a consultation. We can help you align your interests with your skills and professional goals.
