By Hannah Dolan CareerHow do I choose the right job? 10 Oct 2022 In the midst of the ‘Great Resignation’, when many people are ditching their current roles for shiny new ones, it can be difficult to know if a new job will be the right choice for you. Here’s what you need to consider.It’s important to do a job you love rather than stick with one you just tolerate to pay the bills, but on the other hand, you don’t want to turn the ‘Great Resignation’ into the ‘Great Regret’. The job satisfaction/security conundrum is something that many professionals face. Zena Everett, executive coach and author of Mind Flip: Take the Fear Out of Your Career, says if you are considering whether or not to make the switch to a new job, it’s important first to ask yourself the following questions: Who do I want to be like? “Look at the people with jobs you really want,” says Zena. “What experience would you need to get to become that person? Check their career history on LinkedIn. What qualifications do they have? Did they spend time working in a particular industry? Next, think about what you need to tick these boxes. Do you need to retrain? Maybe you need to specialise by building a side-hustle. Or you could acquire these skills – such as more client work – in your current role.” What does a perfect working day look like? “When do you really look forward to a day at work?” asks Zena. “Is it when you’re talking to clients about their business? In the office or at home? Understanding your perfect day is important – it feeds into the gut instinct of what your right job might be.” What am I good at? “Think about what your best skills and attributes are,” Zena suggests. “What things do tutors or employers praise you on? What are you proud of in your career? Once you’ve worked this out, put it into your LinkedIn profile – it works much better than the ‘I’m a passionate team player’ guff.” Job-hunters need a good LinkedIn profile, she adds, but don’t waste loads of time liking and commenting on other posts. “Also, rather than a profile showing you’re a jack-of-all-trades, drill down on your specific skills. Businesses don’t want all-rounders – they’re looking for people with unique abilities who could hit the ground running in their first three months. Reinvent yourself as that person.” Starting your own business “During the pandemic, many people left their jobs to pursue their passions,” notes Zena. “What they didn’t realise is doing their hobby seven days a week soon takes the joy out of it. If you want to turn your pastime into a full-time job, start doing it as a side-hustle in the evenings and weekends. It won’t happen overnight. If you’re going freelance, realise work will come in peaks-and-troughs, and it’ll sometimes involve boring jobs to pay the bills. Get your first client and throw the kitchen sink at it. If it doesn’t work out, remember the skills gained as a freelancer – running your own business and selling to clients – can be spun into a great story to impress future employers.” Further reading:Modern Finance Roles – Business Transformation ManagerModern finance roles: Finance Transformation ManagerExpert advice for every stage of your career Hannah Dolan is AAT Comment’s Content Editor.