Finding the right “fit” in your job & career is critical
If your job fits, you are connected
Finding the right fit in a job, a career, or even a company is critical to success. Sadly, many people don’t find this. They continue in the same old job or career, unhappy, unfulfilled and unproductive. This affects them in many ways; not only while working, but socially, at home with family and friends. The sad fact is that many know they don’t fit their role, but don’t do anything about it.
You can see it in others too, those you know and those you just meet. Being in a role where one does not fit “sticks out”. It is like being dressed to the nines with shoes that are too small. You look good on the outside, but sure hurt on the inside. Perhaps this is you – or someone close to you.
So just what is “fit” to your career or job? And how do you find it?
Psychologists have studied this question for years. It was thought that experience and education were top drivers of fit and productivity. But this has proven to be inaccurate. Analysts evaluated education as a driver for fit – it was not. They also studied gender, ethnicity and age – no drivers there.
What they did find and validate over and over, is that those who were successful and productive in their job or career clearly “fit” the job matched the personality, interests and situation of the individual. Conventional measures, experience and education played a secondary role.
The conclusion: To be successful in a given job or career, it must fit who you are (personality), what drives you (interests) and your needs (situation).
Personality – A critical match or fit for success. We all have a primary and secondary personality type. Some are introverted, some extroverted, some practical and some resilient. It is critical to understand your type(s) through validated assessments, and then map careers or jobs to your personality matches. For example, resilient people do well in managing, leading and sales. Practical people work best in administrative, procedural or planning roles.
Interests – Being in a job or career that matches your interests will truly fuel your passion for the job, and your success. If you’re not interested in what you do, you will not connect and be productive. Again, through assessment, the answers are available. You can start the exercise by writing down all of your interests.
Situation – The harsh realities of life are critical to understand in determining your fit. You may be great as a doctor, but reality precludes you from chucking it all and going to medical school. Issues in income requirements, geography, elder or child care and much more need to be considered. Your values, ethics motivations (and de-motivators) are critical as well.
To find a fit, one must look at the complete picture – not just pieces.
It has been said that if you find a job or career that you are passionate about, you will never “work” another day in your life. It can be done. It takes your commitment, open mind, the science of assessments and even professional assistance if you need it, to get the answers. It may very well be that you are in the right career, but not the right job on a day-to-day basis. It may also be the fact that you have just grown bored with your work and need a new challenge. There are just so many possibilities.
If I have described you, I hope you are motivated now to change your career and find your “fit”. “It is never late to be what you might have been” (that quote is posted right in my office). Start today. Reinvent yourself. Find passion. Love what you do and enjoy your life.
Dan Moran is president & founder of Next-Act, a career management & transition firm located in Colonie. You can reach him at 641.8968 or dmoran@next-act.com or visit www.next-act.com.