What specific type of work are you looking for, and what industry preferences do you have?

A few months ago (maybe around June or July), when it became uncertain whether my workplace would renew my fixed-term contract at the deadline, I changed my LinkedIn profile to include the '#OpenToWork' status, which has remained like that since then.

For the benefit of those who may have just come across my page and engaged firstly with this article, I used to work at the University of Roehampton, London. The contract I referred to was with them.

In addition to updating my profile to reflect my current professional status, I emailed and sent direct messages to recruiters and people in my network, letting them know I am looking for work.

This was what led to my discovery of how challenging the title question - 'What specific type of work are you looking for, and what industry preferences do you have?' is to answer. Unlike the knowledge of where the degree we enrolled and studied may potentially help us find work, it is pretty different when you already have the degree only to find that the idea of industry, especially for work professionals, is quite convoluted.

Even for those trained in specialised fields like medicine, engineering, and law or who hold a PhD, the dilemma of whether to remain in one's field or transition into a new one presents a complex challenge. Therefore, the question of which entry point to choose or which organisation best aligns with one's skills is universal.

This decision puts everyone—regardless of expertise—in the same difficult loop when it comes to determining work and industry preferences. The tension between staying within a known field or branching out to explore new opportunities is a common struggle.

I have equally realised that this kind of question has been a constant presence throughout our lives. From a young age, we are repeatedly asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" It is one of the first questions posed to us as soon as we can express ourselves. Therefore, I wish to offer insight with this article on how I think to arrive at answers to this question.

A quick fix - give answers to what you consider as decent or meaningful work.

By definition, a decent work embodies the core principles of social justice and human rights. You can recognise a decent job when you're compensated fairly, your employment is secure rather than precarious, and the work environment supports your well-being rather than leading to chronic stress or illness.

Therefore, true decent work is any job that promotes dignity, stability, and a balanced life, ensuring that the workplace contributes to your overall health.

While meaningful work aligns with your values and lets you achieve the kind of life you value. Any work can be meaningful as long as it is compatible with what you consider important.

A meaningful job can be one that allows you to have a good work-life balance or comes with high pay. It could be a job that puts you in a place where you directly tangibly help others or one that lets you express yourself creatively. It could also be a job that facilitates your personal growth or a job that contributes to the greater good.

However, there are ways to identify decent and meaningful work easily when asked or seeking one.

1. What those at your levels are doing

This could serve for both options. However, I consider it more readily for finding a decent job. At every stage of our lives, especially at younger ages, I have observed that we are mostly not too different from people in our age group or social class.

So, knowing what your peers are doing can help you answer this title question when asked. For instance, let's say you are a fresh graduate, and you have seen that most of your classmates are doing their internships, graduate programmes, or getting entry-level roles at XYZ firms - when asked the question; you can also answer I want to intern (insert any of the position they are doing) at your company.

Also, you might just be a student and only need a part-time job to make extra income - knowing what side hustles your mates are doing could also help you find something similar for yourself.

In as much as the popular opinion is to be unique, may I refer you to the definition of decent work - a job that upholds the basic principles of social justice and human rights.

2. Your strength against what people outside your reach are doing

Similar to finding and going for what those in your immediate peer group are doing, you can also expand your reach to what people globally with your skills and similar interests are doing.

This could mean studying hundreds to thousands of profile pages - including those at your level or above your level - to determine what they did and how—reading biographies and paying attention to current global trends in the workforce.

You can also contact them for insights on specific questions because your situation wouldn't be a replica of theirs. Read - How I Direct Message (DM) Celebrities on Social Media — That Push Them To Respond.

3. Directly asking people (family, friends, and acquaintances) for their opinions.

The difference between this point and the one above, in case you are wondering, is that for number two, you research and decide for yourself based on whatever you were able to deduce.

This point suggests you cold-take your strengths, weaknesses, skills, and interests to someone with your best interest at heart and ask them for their opinion.

Personally, this strategy has proven invaluable to me on multiple occasions—starting from my early days in the United Kingdom when I was searching for a job. My pastor recommended that I apply to a local letting estate company that was looking for an administrator, and that referral opened the door to my first opportunity.

It also came in handy when picking a research topic for my final year project. Simply put, there are parts of your people who see from the point of their experiences that will benefit your growth and development, especially regarding your career, if you give them the opportunity.

4. Take advantage of AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already doing wonders globally across the board. It is transforming career development by enabling personalised skill-building, streamlining job searches, and offering innovative tools for professional growth, making it an essential resource for navigating today's dynamic job market.

Therefore, while many companies and individuals are making money from utilising AI or seeking ways to maximise its benefit, you, too, can also take advantage of AI to find a specific type of work you are looking for and what industry preferences are.

You can write a short composition about yourself, comprising your skills, qualifications, and interests, and let an AI come up with lists of roles and industries that fit you and even how to get in.

Or simply update your CV and ask it to help with suggestions.

Many thanks for reading my perspective and giving feedback.

My fervent wish is for the personal growth of everyone and the success of all young professionals who put their hearts and souls into finding their purpose in life.

Copyright ? Ekene Moses, 2024. All Rights Reserved.

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