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Do you daydream about having a different job or a more fulfilling career? It’s not uncommon to imagine a life where work aligns with your lifestyle and maybe even makes you happy. While reality often means compromise, you can take steps to increase the odds of finding a job that fits your priorities. Let’s explore some strategies to help you align your career with the lifestyle you want.
First and foremost, consider your priorities both for your job and your life as a whole. Reflect on what truly fulfills and satisfies you. That means considering the level of flexibility you want, the amount of stress you’re willing to handle, and how you want to spend your time outside of work. Get creative and, at least for now, demand what truly matters to you. You can think about what you’re willing to sacrifice later. Here are some factors to think about:
Determine how much money you need or want to make to meet your financial goals. If you’re not sure, explore budgeting tools like Rocket Money to clarify your spending habits. And don’t neglect to consider benefits like 401k matches, unlimited PTO, and health insurance.
Decide how much you want to work and how you want to spend your time outside work. If you need plenty of long weekends to get the most out of your summer, make sure companies you look at offer that kind of flexibility.
Think about whether you prefer remote work, a dedicated on-site office, or a hybrid setup. Once you lock down a role, this is one area you’ll wish you didn’t neglect to negotiate if you end up in an inflexible arrangement.
Consider the tasks and responsibilities you want to engage in. How do they differ from your current situation? Do you want more challenges or less responsibility? Knowing why you’re applying for new roles can definitely make the interview process easier, too. Your answers will seem more off-the-cuff and genuine and less canned.
Reflect on what you’re looking for—a steady, established company or the fast pace and possible uncertainty of a startup environment. And don’t forget to consider factors like transparent communication and opportunities for professional growth.
As you draft your list of priorities, remember you might have to compromise, which means it’s possible you won’t get everything on your wish list. And that might be okay. Start by highlighting items on your list you can give in if the other perks are persuasive enough.
You can even explore the potential to earn income outside your primary job in exchange for a more relaxed day job. This doesn’t mean embracing hustle culture—but if you can make a passive or side income from activities you already enjoy, why not? Freelancing on platforms like Fiverr, starting a small online business, or exploring other avenues aligned with your interests are all options.
When conducting your job research, go beyond just scanning job descriptions. Spend time exploring companies that meet some or all of the wishes on your list. Visit their websites, follow them on LinkedIn, and read employee reviews on platforms like Glassdoor. Taking the time to do a little research can provide valuable insights into company culture, values, and potential job openings.
Networking may sound sterile or intentional, but it’s a powerful way to find opportunities. LinkedIn is probably the most common work-related networking platform. But even if you’ve been connected to someone for years, try to avoid cold reach-outs or only connecting when you need something. It’s good to reach out to people you genuinely like and haven’t spoken to lately. Engage them in meaningful conversations, ask real questions, and seek advice.
You can also look for professional forums and discussion groups relevant to your field and actively participate or just learn from others’ experiences. Networking doesn’t have to be forced or transactional; it can be about building genuine connections and focused on expanding your knowledge.
If you genuinely want to find a job that aligns with your lifestyle, think flexibly, but also let yourself to dream. Compromise is often inevitable, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a clear vision of your ideal career. And don’t underestimate the value of reconnecting with people you haven’t seen in a while. Sometimes a friendly check-in can lead to unexpected opportunities and meaningful connections.