Career Clarity: Define Your Ideal Role in 6 Steps

Did you know 70% of people are unengaged and/or unsatisfied with their jobs ?

That’s shocking.

Is that your story, but on repeat? You are not alone. After feeling a bit lost in my own career, I created a very useful yet simple reflection exercise.

Follow along and find out what your ideal job looks like!

Step 1: List Your Jobs

Materials Needed: Dry erase board, paper, or large sticky note sheet; markers in two different colors.

Action: List out all of your jobs you've had throughout your career. Personally, I would only list the ones that feel significant, so you can leave off internships and the like if they did not meaningfully impact your career

Step 2: Identify Highs and Lows

Action: In a different pen color and out to the side of your job listings, identify:

• a High (something you loved about the job, an aspect that stood out positively)
• a Low (something you really did not like about the job)
• Note: it is possible that some jobs may not have a High. That happened to me once.

Step 3: Analyze Trends

Action: Examine your Highs and Lows across all jobs. Step back and look for patterns or trends in what consistently made you happy or unhappy in these roles. This will help you understand your core preferences and aversions in a work setting.

Step 4: Define Top Traits of Your Ideal Role

Action: Based on your reflection, make a list of the 'Top 5 Traits of My Ideal Role'. Consider aspects like:

• Salary range
• Individual vs. team contributor
• Mission or cause area
• Large team or small team

Detailing: Be as specific as possible to ensure clarity in what you're seeking.

Step 5: Identify Non-Negotiable Traits

Action: From your list of Top 5 Traits, identify 2-3 traits that are non-negotiable for you.

Highlight: Mark these non-negotiable traits with an asterisk or in a different color.

Purpose: These are the absolute must-haves in your next role.

Step 6: Place Your List in a Handy Spot

Keep your Ideal Job profile front and center. Let it guide you as you sift through online job descriptions and opportunities.

This assessment acts as your 'North Star' in the job search, helping you navigate towards roles that are more likely to bring satisfaction and fulfillment.

With a decision as important as picking a job, don’t leave anything to chance.

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Michelle Flores Vryn, CFRE is a nonprofit leader, writer and content creator. She is recognized as an engaging speaker and teacher on how to accelerate nonprofit impact through sustainable growth. Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn and check out her [re]generative nonprofit blog for more insights on the social sector.