Discovering the jobs that are right for us is a career endeavor.
We start in entry level positions.
Move laterally in different types of roles.
Promotions happen.
Along the way, our responsibilities change.
Each role brings things we enjoy doing and things we wish we could avoid.
Creating a Job Chart
I was thinking, “What if we created a job chart?”
Documenting each role we’ve had over the years.
Noting our favorite and least favorite things.
The rows of the chart could be each job we have held.
Then, we have two columns: 3 things we liked to do and 3 things we disliked.
Or, we could think of them as 3 things that energized us and 3 things that drained us.
See the image of this post for inspiration.
Roles might vary where we want to include 1-2 more or less activities on each list.
When created, our job chart will likely provide insight into career consistency.
There will be items that we enjoyed in many different roles.
And, in turn, activities we wish we could avoid.
My Perspective
I believe the job chart could provide directions for many areas in our career.
We could use the insight gained to target roles when looking for an internal move.
The same could apply to the outside job search – targeting specific companies & disciplines.
We might frame up interview questions to understand what % of time will be spent on activities on both the like and dislike list.
The things we enjoy provide inspiration on the quest to define our unique, special sauce.
Over time we could add columns to our chart to remind us of accomplishments and case studies.
Your Turn
Do you see a job chart being a useful tool?
How easy is it to identify the likes and dislikes of each role?
Could this chart help you with current career questions and challenges?