Stop Asking "What Jobs Should I Apply For?" Use This 4-Step Trick Instead
Sometimes, there are just too many options.
How do you know which types of jobs are right for you, versus which ones look good in theory but would leave you miserable in practice? This quick and impactful activity will help you answer that question by learning from your past.
Step 1: List the Fun Stuff.
Take a piece of paper, and fold it in half, hotdog-style. Now you have two columns.
On the left side, list your favorite productive or work experiences. These are moments that left you feeling motivated, energized, or proud. They don't even have to be jobs. Clubs, projects, volunteer gigs, group projects, whatever comes to mind.
For example, let’s say you really enjoyed planning a road trip itinerary for your friend group. That’s absolutely productive! Add it to the list.
Step 2: Identify Your ‘Why’.
Moving to the right side column now. Opposite each of your experiences on the left, write in this column why you enjoyed them. The answers should be different for each one, though you might notice some common themes.
Back to that road trip example: what was it that you liked about putting together the itinerary? Maybe it was working solo, having uninterrupted time to focus and get in the zone. Maybe it was the creative problem solving, figuring out how to make five different schedules and budgets fit together. Maybe it was presenting your findings to the group and watching them get excited. Or maybe there was something uniquely satisfying about the organizing, turning chaos into a clean color-coded spreadsheet.
Maybe it was more than one of these why’s, and maybe your answer would be different from someone else’s even if they planned the exact same trip.
Step 3: The ‘UGH’s.
Flip the paper over. It’s time to repeat this on the back side, but with a different flavor.
On the left side, list your least favorite productive experiences. That’s all the tasks and projects that just the thought of having to do them all over again makes you groan, “ughhhhhhhhhh.”
On the right side, add your why’s. What about it was so awful? Why would you never want to do that again? Which aspects were the worst, even if the rest of it was manageable?
Step 4: Find the Patterns.
You probably already noticed some themes emerging as certain why’s repeated themselves, and certain ‘ugh’s turned out to be the polar opposite of some of those why’s.
Take notes on your must-haves and dealbreakers. Once you have a clearer idea of what lights you up and what burns you out, job descriptions will start looking more like bright green or red flags instead of a bunch of beige.
Applying to jobs that fit your preferences isn’t about being too picky; it’s about setting yourself up for long-term success. And, you might even find that jobs, companies, or fields that you previously ruled out actually fit more of your preferences than you realized.
Ask yourself:
Does this change what types of jobs or internships you're curious to learn more about?
How can you use this list to intentionally shape your next move, instead of falling into whatever job opportunity crosses your path first?
Still feeling a little stuck?
No pressure, but if your brain is doing that thing where it spirals about your future at 11pm, a Career Clarity Call might save you a few sleepless nights. We’ve got you! Hop on a quick 30 min call with me for just $20, or grab a package of longer sessions for a deep dive into your next steps.
