The modern world of work has been taken over by the desk career. Almost every job you can think of will include some sort of paperwork, a lot of emailing and plenty of typing. So what can you do to avoid this sedentary life?
While many jobs require some desk work, there are still opportunities to get out and about. Understanding your personality type and interests is key here. You might never have considered the job you end up in before. However, this generation is entering an ever-changing workplace that comes up with new ideas all the time. The job you go for next might not even exist yet.
So, if you’d like avoid a lifetime spent trying to work out the lumbar support on your chair. Then here’s what you need to think about before you start your job search.
Get Qualified
If you don’t want to spend your whole career behind a desk, think carefully about which qualifications you should go for. There’s no point in getting a qualification that won’t take you to where you want to go. This is why choosing a degree is about so much more than working out which city has the best bars. You need to think about where each qualification could lead you.
But qualifications aren’t limited to academic studies. There are lots of different vocational courses you could take from hairdressing UK Pilot Training. Opting for a more vocational route is often a great way to head into a career and gain work experience too. Lots of graduates head into more vocational courses after completing their degrees. Many professions such as education, law and medicine require further vocational education.
If you aren’t sure what sort of qualifications would be relevant to the job you want, you should definitely talk to someone already in the role to find out more. Getting some work experience is also a valuable way to learn more about any role. Although be wary of employers who are just looking for cheap labor. Make sure that any work experience you do is answering the questions you have about the role. Additionally, make sure it gives you experience you can put on your CV.
Think Outside the Box
Searching for the right career isn’t the kind of task you can complete overnight. Think carefully about the kind of role that would suit you. For example, do you want to spend a lot of time outside? Then you could go for anything from window cleaner to landscape architect. However, if you have a particular interest in rock climbing, you might actually do better as an outdoor pursuit leader.
Allow yourself time to explore different options available to you. Asking for some careers advice is a good way to start if you aren’t sure what you could do. There are professional services available to help but your friends and family could probably help you out too. There are even remote posts that get you out of the house! Many mobile employers post remote jobs on a daily basis, so don’t discard this idea just yet. The key here is understanding that your personality, experience and qualifications should all match up into one fulfilling role. This is a tough ask so don’t worry if you do a bit of job hopping while you gain experience.
Whether you are just starting your career or you are looking for a career change, the job market can be quite daunting. A good method for finding an unexpected job is actually getting in touch with a recruiter (or 3) and asking them to take a look at your CV and make suggestions. Recruiters aim to match the right person with the right job so they will be able to make suggestions you might not have heard of before.
Be a Self-Starter
The great thing about business now is that more and more people are freeing themselves from jobs they hate to pursue their dream job on their own. If you have a great idea going freelance and marketing your skills that way can be a brilliant way to find a niche that suits you. There are a lot of weird jobs out there so if you have a wacky idea and think you can turn it into a profit, you should go for it!
Setting up your own business is a great way to avoid the desk life because you will be in control of what you do, when and where. However, it’s not quite as simple as throwing some adverts on social media and getting started. To set up a new business, you will need to ensure that you are fully compliant with any relevant laws and make sure that you keep track of your accounts.
Being a self-starter is great if you have a lot of energy and determination. New businesses take time to get going so don’t worry if you aren’t an instant success. Building up your base and developing new leads and relationships is crucial in any line of work so take your time to do it right. Going to regular networking events and socializing is a big part of setting up a new business so be prepared to be a people-person!
Despite the onslaught of desk-based activities, there are a surprising number of freer jobs that could suit you. Choosing the right job is all about following your instincts and working out what would be best for you. You don’t have to follow the same paths as those before you – you have the power to create a job that is completely extraordinary.
There are so many jobs out there and so many more just waiting to be invented. Don’t settle for a job that will make you feel bored and miserable, go out and find something that works for you. Taking a more holistic approach to find a job that fits with your lifestyle and personality may not lead you to a career you expected but it could lead you to something you love. Be ambitious, follow your aspirations and don’t let the chairs and computers get you down.
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