Pursuing Purpose: Finding Your Dream Opportunity in a Complex World

With career fair in the rearview mirror and reality starting to kick in, I (and I’m sure many of you reading this) have started to scramble. It’s time for us to find internships and jobs because we might as well put our studies to use. And, if you’re like me, reading through job postings can be an incredibly stressful experience. There are so many companies out there, each telling us that they are the best for a variety of reasons. But how do you know where you really should work? It’s a complicated process and one that varies from person to person. While I can’t tell you specifically how to go about finding your role, I can give you some insights I use while conducting my search.?

Before you can understand what kind of role you are looking for, you have to understand what attributes you are looking for. What do you value? What do you want to get out of an opportunity? What leads people into career crises is they don’t follow their values before hopping into a role. I got some fantastic advice from a professor about looking for opportunities: they should be easy, effortless, and enjoyable. While you are seeking a job, you shouldn’t view it as work - it should be an opportunity for you to put in hard work and find your purpose. If you are reading a posting, and you have any doubt about whether you would enjoy the line of work, I would look past it. In today’s world, there are so many companies out there that at least one of them should be able to provide you with a fulfilling experience.?

You also have to have your personal values in order. What values do you exude? What is most important to you in life? Make sure the roles you are applying for fit those goals. For example, if your number one value is family, it’s probably not a good idea to apply for a job 2000 miles from home that works 60 hours a week. Figure out what will allow you to be the most you. And finally, find roles where you will be able to grow. No matter what your goal is (personal growth, finding a career, learning new skills, etc.) it's important to make sure your role will make you better. Clarifying your goals before the search will be much easier than making them up on the fly after you have accepted.?

After some potentially stressful late-night thoughts, it is now time to put potential employers up to the test. A lot of companies will be somewhat forthcoming about what they are looking for in employees. However, each person in the company has a unique experience and perspective. Find somebody in a role that you find interesting, and reach out to them (LinkedIn is a great resource). You would be surprised how many people are willing to help young professionals - they were in our shoes at one point after all. Don’t be overbearing but try to ask quality questions. Ask about their work experience, how they would describe the company culture, and what projects they can disclose that they have worked on. If you want to know something, ask! (and if you already know, don’t ask again). There are all kinds of resources out there - take advantage of them the best you can.

Additional resources could be your actual interactions with the company. Do you enjoy your interviews and assessments? Do the recruiters seem like genuine people who really enjoy their jobs? Do they provide quality answers to your questions? How a company goes about bringing in employees can be a great insight into their company culture. The search process is a two-way street and should be seen as such. After all, we are Farmer School of Business students. People WANT to hire us, so we deserve to find opportunities we will enjoy. While finding a dream opportunity is important, it's also key to keep in mind that we are at a point in our careers where we can afford to make mistakes. There will never be an easier time to pivot than now. So, take advantage, and go get that dream role.