It’s not too heavy (although some episodes do feel like a punch in the gut) yet still delivers some fundamental life lessons we all can apply to work whether you work from home, in an office, or for a world-famous soccer league. 

Hold Up. What is  Ted Lasso? 

I’m going to do my best to not include spoilers in this general synopsis. If you haven’t already, you can binge watch the entire first season of Ted Lasso on Apple TV+. New episodes are released (painfully slowly) one episode at a time every Friday. 

We meet Ted Lasso, played by Jason Sudeikis, as a Kansas resident and college football coach. He’s hired to coach a professional soccer (or futbol if you’re Dani Rojas) team across the pond in England. 

Ted has zero experience coaching soccer and locals and players alike are not happy with his arrival. But ever-positive Ted doesn’t seem bothered by the criticism, disregard, and general ridicule (locals call him wanker) he faces daily. He always tries his best (even when his personal life is falling apart) and encourages his players to do the same. Aside from being optimistic, Lasso is pretty darn resilient. 

We get some powerful midwestern advice episode after episode (thanks to the mustachioed Lasso) that can teach us all a thing or two (or three) about resilience at work. 

1. Be a Goldfish

What’s the happiest animal in the world? If you ask me, I’d say it’s my golden retriever, Norman, who perpetually has a smile and a tail wag even when he’s in trouble. But according to Ted Lasso, the answer is: a goldfish. 

Yep, a goldfish. While any goldfish I’ve ever owned doesn’t seem overly joyful, apparently it’s their 10-second memory that allows them to be forever happy.

Ted tells one of his players, Sam, to “be a goldfish” after Sam was having a hard time letting go of criticism leveled at him by another player, Jamie Tartt. Sam didn’t quite get the reference at the time, but they’re wise words nonetheless. 

We all face criticism at work. Sometimes it’s justified. Other times it’s not. The point is to accept the criticism and move on. Don’t let it define you. Try not to take it personally. Instead of dwelling on the criticism or getting defensive, stay calm. Feedback is valuable, whether it’s positive or critical. Even if it’s from a coworker you dislike, feedback allows for growth from all sources (flawed or not).

How to Accept Criticism at Work

Forbes offers these healthy ways to deal with criticism at work: 

• Be open – Absorb the words and don’t dismiss criticism as an attack. 
• Body language – Slow down your breathing and take a relaxed posture. It’s difficult to take criticism with grace. Having a relaxed and open body helps. 
• Ask questions – No, one of the questions after receiving feedback shouldn’t be, “What the f@$k?!?!  Focus on clarifying questions so you’re both on the same page. 
• Share the feedback – When in doubt share the feedback with someone you trust. It helps to get a different perspective. Just be sure you ask someone who will be honest with you. Criticism is an opportunity for growth and not a means to convince yourself you’re “right.” 

I know goldfish forget everything after ten seconds but you shouldn’t simply dismiss criticism. Instead, use the goldfish method to accept the words and move on quickly. It’s especially effective when you are told something about yourself you don’t like or agree with.

Take those precious initial 10 seconds to absorb what is being said then move on. Graciously accept the criticism to prevent a knee jerk response that sounds angry or defensive. This type of reaction will eat away at you more than the criticism itself. 

2. Value ALL Opinions (Even if They’re Wrong) 

This sentiment plays off of the goldfish advice pretty well. At work, there are plenty of opinions to go around. They come from peers, customers, managers, superiors, and even those you supervise.

Heck, I’m self-employed and work from home and I STILL get my fair share of opinions thrown at me every day (my cat who strictly wants to adhere to a Temptations-only diet, my child who rates my PB&Js three out of five stars, and of course social media users who always have something to say about blog posts like this one). 

Some opinions you’ll agree with. Others you’ll think are just plain wrong. 

Ted Lasso gets this. He respectfully tells his players, “I want you to know, I value each of your opinions, even when you’re wrong.” 

While it’s not advisable to flat out tell people their opinions are wrong (even if or especially if you’re the boss), it is solid advice to value every person’s opinion at work. Why? It boils down to respect. 

Respect and Opinions at Work

According to Harvard Business Review, workers value feeling respected at work. In fact a whopping 20,000 survey respondents report respect as the most important value at work. 

When you value all opinions (even those you don’t agree with), you are extending respect to your colleagues. It’s really that simple. 

So, how exactly do you value someone’s opinion whether or not you agree with them? You can check out career-related TED Talks for ways to listen better or simply follow these simple tips to effective listening provided by Forbes: 

How to Value Work Opinions through Listening

• Maintain eye contact – This is the basic ingredient to show someone you value what they’re saying. Always turn to face the person speaking and put down your phone, papers, or anything else that is a distraction. 
• Be relaxed – Eye contact is great, but you don’t have to stare the person down. A too intense stare can be intimidating. Similarly, tense posture like furrowing your brow or folding your arms can also tell the speaker you’re disinterested in what they’re saying. 
• Don’t jump to conclusions – When someone speaks to you they are verbally expressing thoughts and opinions that matter to them. Them. Not you. Allow them to get out these opinions fully before you interject or attempt to finish their sentence. 
• Focus on the words being said – Active listening is important. But too often we are focused on topics outside of what the person is actually saying or simply staying quiet until it’s “our turn” to speak. If you have a hard time fully zoning in to what’s being said try to focus on key phrases. You can even visualize the conversation using mental pictures. This will keep you from rehearsing your response in  your head. Remember, you can’t listen and rehearse at the same time. 
• Do not interrupt – This is a big one. No matter how much you disagree or limited your attention span may be, do not interrupt the person speaking. Period. When you do it always sends the wrong message like: 
  • I’m more important. 
  • Your opinion doesn’t matter. 
  • This is a contest, and I’m going to win. 
  • I don’t care what you think. 

There’s never a justifiable excuse for interrupting someone (unless there’s a fire or a giant spider is dropping from the ceiling about to land on their head). 

Default to the Golden Rule

If all else fails, remember the golden rule: Treat others how you want to be treated. Think about how you expect to be received when addressing someone. You want your opinion to be valued (even if it’s wrong!). 

3. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone 

It’s pretty easy to fall into a work rut. You show up. Complete tasks. Clock out. Do it again. You rinse and repeat this for weeks, months, and even years. This complacency can seem safe but it’s also an invite for disaster.

Complacency leads you to feel a little too secure at work which can lead to laziness. Often, you don’t even realize you’re cutting corners or not putting in as much effort as you once did. But everyone else around you does. 

Still, we often try to avoid challenges because we don’t want to feel vulnerable but that’s exactly how you’re supposed to feel.

As Ted Lasso says, “Takin’ on a challenge is a lot like ridin’ a horse. If you’re comfortable while you’re doin’ it, you’re probably doin’ it wrong.” 

Challenges are supposed to be, well, challenging. If you take on assignments at work and everything feels like a breeze, it’s time to check in with yourself.

Signs You May Be in Need of a New Work Challenge

Forbes suggests looking out for these warning signs of complacency at work: 

1. Being disengaged 
2. Lack of initiative 
3. Not investing in yourself 
4. Taking shortcuts 
5. No more passion 
6. Disgruntled with career trajectory 
7. No hope for a brighter future 

We all lose a little pep in our step every so often. It’s part of being human. But if you repeatedly find yourself going through the motions at work, it might be time for a change. And this doesn’t necessarily mean a brand new job (although sometimes a career change is a definite must). You can reignite your spark at work with a new and exciting challenge. Run a meeting. Take on a project. Enroll in an employer-sponsored course. Assist coworkers in different departments. Go after a promotion.

SMART Goals for Challenge and Growth

Complacency is convenient. Change is hard. It’s easiest to opt for the bare minimum to get by but you won’t do yourself any favors in the long run. Ultimately, your career will stall as your engagement declines along with your happiness. So, commit to change regularly. This doesn’t have to be a giant change.

Think about small steps you can take to make a big change in the long run. Start with a SMART goal and then break it down into smaller action steps. Goals are supposed to be challenging and a bit of a stretch. But they’re also a lesson in resilience. You will certainly hit obstacles. That’s okay. It’s how you respond to and overcome those obstacles that counts. 

Remember, you know your goal is a challenge if you’re slightly uncomfortable (just like riding a horse for the first time).

Positive Work Quotes by Ted Lasso 

A little positivity can go a long way in well being at work. Take it from Ted Lasso who lives by the simple mantra “believe.” When things are bad, Ted “believes” they will eventually get better. If players (coworkers) don’t get along, Ted “believes” there’s always a way to work it out. And when you’re the new guy in town with everyone rooting against you, Ted still believes he can work hard to win everyone over — on and off the field (or pitch as it’s called over there).

Often, workplace dissatisfaction can be traced back to you. Sure, some companies have crappy cultures (and in these cases I recommend you run away as fast as you can to find a new job) but more often than not it’s our own take on things that hampers our professional progress. 

 So, believe in yourself in all circumstances. Whether you need a new job, are dissatisfied in your current role, or simply have no clue what your next move will be: just believe. Because just about any career coach or life coach will absolutely tell you that everything (and we do mean everything) is figureoutable. 

Happily, 

Ashlee 

P.S. This post may contain affiliate links. Check out my disclosure statement to learn more.

The post 3 Fundamental Lessons Ted Lasso Can Teach You About Resilience at Work appeared first on Work from Home Happiness.

As a nonprofit, TED is committed to spreading ideas to its global community. This powerful mission takes shape as TED Talks, conferences, TEDx, TED-Ed and more.

TED Talks for Careers

Over the years, TED Talks have inspired career changes in both myself and clients I coach. In fact, I recommend these motivational speeches regularly. They’re perfect when you need a fresh perspective, but they also teach you something new. And this is invaluable. 

I’m a firm believer in lifelong learning. People with this type of growth mindset are more successful than the average person. This success comes in different forms like: 

• Career growth 
• Brain health 
• Sense of connection
• Fulfillment 
• Happiness (woohoo) 

The best part? You don’t have to enroll in one bachelor’s degree program after another to embrace lifelong learning. Today, you can digest educational content quickly and easily online. From LinkedIn Learning to Coursera, you can learn a job-ready skill in a matter of months. 

TED Talks too offer opportunities for bite-sized learning with informative videos that benefit your way of thinking about important topics. One of which is your career. 

Here are 6 seriously impactful TED Talks that will change the way you think about work. 

1. The Best Career Path Isn’t Always a Straight Line 

From a young age, we’re told that career paths are linear. You go to school, pick a major, get a degree, and then get a job in your field. From there, you predictably climb the corporate ladder. 

Unfortunately, actual career paths aren’t nearly as straight or supported as a ladder suggests.

In fact, a 2019 study found just 27% of graduates end up working in the field of their major. Plus, the average worker has a whopping 12 job changes in their lifetime. And these changes don’t follow a linear path. They often look more like a zig zag or roller coaster of ups and downs. 

And that’s okay. It’s better than okay. It should be expected. And that’s why we need to teach students and job seekers that they are more than their past job titles or college degrees. 

Most of us won’t climb the corporate ladder and even fewer will go on to retire with a gold watch in hand after 40 years of dedicated service to a single employer. 

That’s why I love the TED Talk “The Best Career Path Isn’t Always a Straight Line.” In this 9-minute video, career development consultants Sarah Ellis and Helen Tupper introduce you to “squiggly” careers. 

This is a must-watch for anyone who feels restricted professionally or defined by their roles. 

Keep Learning

Ready for a deep dive into unexpected turns in your career? Grab a copy of The Squiggly Career book on Amazon.

It’s available through Kindle Reader, Audible, and paperback. 

2. How To Know if It’s Time to Change Careers

In my mid 20s, I found myself unhappy at work. I went to school, graduated, and even landed a job in my field. So, why wasn’t I happy? 

As it turns out, an interest in an industry does not equal long-term career satisfaction. That’s because we constantly change and evolve in what matters to us in work. Unfortunately, we don’t always make proactive career choices. The result? We stay ‘stuck’ in a career rut even though we know it’s probably time to move on.

Sure, quitting your job is scary. But, staying put in a job you dislike isn’t great either. Studies show that job unhappiness affects your mental health and leads to: 

• Sleep problems 
• Anxiety 
• Depression 

So, if you’re feeling ‘off’ at work, a career change may very well be exactly what you need. But how do you know if it’s really time?

Entrepreneur Chieh Huang delivers an enlightening TED Talk about career moves and how to prepare for them. 

It’s never easy to walk away from employment. But sometimes it’s necessary for job satisfaction.

3. How To Find Work You Love 

From an early age, we are told we can be anything we want. Teachers and parents frequently ask us what we want to be when we grow up. Do you remember what you said? If you’re like the majority of kids, you probably answered:

• Doctor 
• Teacher
• Lawyer 
• Astronaut 
• Veterinarian 
• Movie Star

A 2019 survey found 67% of adults did not go on to fulfill their childhood dream job. Of those surveyed, 58% wish they had.

Of course, there are millions of job titles available to us but we don’t often consider them. And that is unfortunate because you end up missing out on potential career paths you could love without even knowing it.

Curious if there’s a career out there you never considered? Be sure to check out How to Find Work You Love. 

You might be surprised to learn that career happiness is found in unexpected ways. 

4. What Makes Us Feel Good About Our Work? 

Everyone is motivated by different things. As a career coach, I work with clients who find their primary motivations include: 

• Money 
• Prestige 
• Influence 
• Job title 

There is no right or wrong motivation for what matters to us at work. But it is important that you understand what your unique motivators are. 

Behavioral Economist, Dan Ariely, shares two experiments to help you figure them out: 

You can also grab a copy of Ariely’s book, Payoff, to discover “the hidden logic that shapes our motivations.” 

Knowing what matters to you at work is easy to figure out, but most professionals have no clue what their values are. Take the time to reflect on your own motivators so you can find work that makes you feel good.

5. Why Some Of Us Don’t Have One True Calling 

Some people go through life and never actually figure out what they want to be. Sure, many of us think we have it figured out. But in reality, only a small percentage of us actually do.

And we have to learn that this is perfectly okay and even normal. Most people do not want to do just one thing their entire life. Heck, most of us simply can’t do one thing forever. Think of jobs that have been eliminated by tech or automation. But even when given a choice, job seekers prefer variety.

Emilie Wapnick calls these people “multipotentialites” and she shares insight into them in Why Some of Us Don’t Have One True Calling 

Are you one of them? Chances are you’ve got a variety of interests and potential career paths that suit those interests.

Take a deeper dive by reading Emilie’s book, How to Be Everything: A Guide for Those Who (Still) Don’t Know What They Want to Be When They Grow Up. 

6. The Way We Think About Work is Broken 

My career coaching clients often think of work as a means to an end. That is, they have to make money so they pick a job based on pay. 

Of course, sometimes life circumstances make it impossible to be picky about jobs. After a layoff or birth of children, for example, getting to work matters more than what you’re actually doing for work. 

But there are other times when we can afford to be selective about jobs. Even still, most job seekers don’t think about anything other than a paycheck. It’s time to change that. 

Barry Schwartz helps you think different about work and shares intangible values in The Way We Think About Work is Broken 

If you can’t answer the simple question, “Why do we work,” then this TED Talk is a must-see. 

I also highly recommend Schwartz’s book, Why We Work, to understand the purpose of work in your life. In the end, discover your own path to work happiness that isn’t necessarily tied to a paycheck. 

Ted Talks to Challenge the Way You Think About Work 

There are a lot of reasons we work. And not everyone knows what they want to do with their life. Many still won’t find satisfaction in just one role their entire lives. 

This is okay. It’s time we change the way we talk about work. You don’t have to follow your passion, climb the corporate ladder, or chase a paycheck. Instead, focus on your individual values and interests. 

Learn to identify when it’s time to make a change and don’t be afraid to take the squiggly path to career success. 

If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a career coach for the last decade is work happiness comes in many (surprising) forms. The best way to find yours is to challenge your assumptions and get to know yourself better. I bet you’ll be surprised at what you uncover. 

Happily, 

Ashlee 

In-Demand Remote Industries 

Does your path to career happiness include remote work? Explore remote-friendly industries and in-demand job titles in my free guide The Top 10 Industries Hiring the Most Remote Workers. It even includes valuable resources for remote job seekers plus a free resume review by a real life expert.

P.S. This post contains affiliate links. Read my disclosure statement to learn more.

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I love a good book. Growing up, my mom was an avid reader. She always, always let me pick out one book every time we went to Barnes and Noble or Books A Million. (These are still some of my favorite memories!).

This instilled a love of reading in me that carries on today. I typically gravitate toward self-help titles and reference materials, but am also known to enjoy a Reese Witherspoon book club pick.

Today, as a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC), I’m quick to recommend certain titles to my clients based on their current career needs. I truly believe every person reads a book differently and can find unique takeaways that help them get ‘unstuck.’

So, what books in my repertoire do I repeatedly recommend in 2022?

Here are 10 of the best career books in 2022 under (and they’re all under 20 bucks!).

1. The Pathfinder

Written by Nicholas Lore, this book is perfect for anyone who wants to find fulfilling and engaging work. The well-researched information presented is based on techniques developed by Rockport Institute, a career-counseling network.

I love to recommend The Pathfinder for people at all career stages, from recent grads to longtime workers ready for a new path.

2. The Careers Handbook

What’s your perfect job? Many people just don’t know. That’s where The Careers Handbook can help.

This is a great read for people who want to turn their passion into a career or need a change but have no clue where to start.

I love recommending this book to recent graduates and anyone just entering the workforce.

3. Switchers

This book is written by a well-known psychologist and career coach, Dr. Dawn Graham. In it, she provides actionable advice you can use to make a major career move.

Switchers is a title I recommend over and over again to professionals who want to transfer their existing skills into a new career.

4. Do What You Are

The best-selling guide, Do What You Are, helps you find the best career path based on your personality.

A lot has changed in the world since this book was first published. The most recent version takes the changing economy and technological advances in mind when helping readers harness the power of personality for their career.

I frequently recommend this book to everyone from Baby Boomers to fellow Millennials who need help customizing their job search based on their unique type.

5. Career Match

This helpful guide is on a mission to match you with your ideal job. Career Match includes a bonus 10-minute self-assessment that will truly help you connect who you are with something you’ll love in your career.

I tend to pass along Career Match to job seekers who feel stuck in a rut. Often, this guide is exactly what they need to feel professionally reinvigorated.

6. What Color Is Your Parachute?

No best career books list (even in 2020) would be complete without What Color Is Your Parachute? .

This classic was named one of the top 100 non-fiction books by TIME and has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide.

My love for this book is based on its famous Flower Exercise. It allows the reader a chance to take a self-inventory that really helps identify strengths, weaknesses and career ideals. That’s why I highly recommend it for almost any job seeker, including recent grads, career changers, and unemployed.

7. I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was

I have to credit my mom (again) for introducing this book to me. After finding inspiration in it herself, she passed her copy onto me. And, I must say, I found it to be quite the eye opener.

After reading this, I had a lot more clarity on what I wanted out of life. It’s no wonder, then, I highly recommend this book to my career coaching clients.

It’s a must read for people who need a little push to get on the right path.

8. Roadmap

How many times have you been asked, “What do you want to do with your life?” If you’re like me, it’s more times than you care to remember.

Roadmap seeks to help you finally answer this question once and for all.

I highly recommend this to my clients that are visual learners. It’s packed with colorful graphs and guides that help you make sense of where you want to go in your career.

9. The Career Manifesto

Mike Steib wrote a popular blog post that he then transformed in The Career Manifesto.

This book is a guide to help you discover your calling and create meaningful goals.

It’s a great book I suggest to individuals who are motivated by goals and enjoy following step by step plans.

10. How To Be Everything

Whoever said you have to be just one thing in life? How To Be Everything was written to help you channel your skills and interests into your career.

This is a book I regularly pass on to clients who don’t want to pick just one career path. Instead, they can harness all of their unique interests and transform it into a meaningful career.

11. Invaluable: Master the 10 Skills You Need to Skyrocket Your Career

Maya Grossman is on a mission to help you future-proof your career. Her book, Invaluable, shares the 10 soft skills that every professional needs. This isn’t your typical career advice but rather a practical step-by-step career guide to help you grow your career.

If you have BIG career goals but no clue how to achieve them, this book is a good place to start. In a short time, you’ll learn how to find a career you love, ways to design your own career roadmap, and amazing action steps you need to take to develop career-growing soft skills.

Plus, Maya has an amazing toolkit that accompanies the book. The Career Development Toolkit will help you clearly identify your next career moves. This is a must-read book and gotta-have toolkit for anyone who needs help planning, executing, and tracking their career success.

The Best Career Books

Well, there you have it — 10+ of the best career books as picked by me a career coach. I love to recommend books to my clients.

Often, for under $20 a career-focused book can be a real eye opener. The right read can help you make a career breakthrough and head in the right direction, whichever way that may be.

So, what are you waiting for? Fire up your Kindle and start reading! You’re just a page away from your next career move.

Happily,

Ashlee Anderson, CPCC

P.S. This page contains affiliate links. What are affiliate links? They’re a way for me to earn a small commission on products when you make a purchase using my affiliate link (it doesn’t cost you anything extra). You can learn more by reading my disclosure statement.

P.S.S. Need one-on-one help? Work with me!

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It’s a fair question, yes. But, my first response to these vague emailers is: “What kind of work are you looking for?” 

And, 9 times out of 10, I get the same one-word response: “Anything.” 

Hmm. 

That’s when I strongly encourage said emailer to pump the brakes and stop their remote job search ASAP. 

Why?

For starters, “Anything” is not a job title. And, secondly, not all work-from-home jobs are created equal. 

So, to prevent them (and you) from making the mistake of accepting any ol’ remote job just for the sake of telecommuting, I’ve put together this guide on how not to get stuck in a work from home job you hate. Because, there’s nothing worse than finding what you think is your dream job one month only to be dreading every single workday the next. 

Don’t Take The Wrong Type Of Position 

If you’re an aspiring freelancer, you’re going to feel stifled by a remote employee position that requires you to be tethered to your home office desk eight hours a day. Similarly, if you crave the stability and consistency of a remote-friendly 9 to 5, freelancing gigs may send you into a panic! 

Before beginning a remote job search, figure out what kind of remote worker you are. 

Generally speaking, there are two main types of remote work:

1. Freelance
2. Employee

To help you understand the basics of both types, I’ve created a handy infographic explaining the differences: 

Once you decide on either freelancing your way to freedom or signing up for a steady employee position, you can focus on finding the type of job you’ll love and avoid those you’ll inherently hate. 

Don’t Settle For Any Old Remote Job 

It can be easy to get caught up in the thrill of working from home. You’re currently stuck in a cubicle and are desperate to escape it. Who could blame you? 

But, don’t let your eagerness to ditch the daily commute cloud your otherwise sound judgement. You should not settle for any old work from home job offer that comes your way. 

Sure, the excitement of finally landing a telecommute position might carry you for a few months. But after the newness wears away, so too will your enthusiasm for your new position. And instead of enjoying the work-from-home lifestyle, you’re dreading every single workday just as you did as a cubicle dweller. 

Instead of adopting the any-work-from-home-job-is-better-than-my-current-office-job mentality, strive for finding and landing your dream remote job. It’s totally possible. 

Find What You Love And Hate To Do

First, audit your existing skills. What do you know how to do? Now from that list, identify what you actually love to do. Sure, you might know the finer points of creating Excel spreadsheets but die inside every time you create a new cell. There are a lot of things you know how to do, but only a few you love to do. Figuring out what you truly enjoy work wise is key to finding a remote job you’ll thrive in.

From there, reflect on past positions. Are there any jobs you hated? Yes? Why did you dislike it so much? Was it the nature of work? Or perhaps it was the type of people you had to interact with. Whatever it is that lead you to hate that job, you want to avoid that in your remote job pursuits at all costs. 

Once you have an idea of the daily skills you’d love to use and those working situations you want to completely dodge, you can more easily identify (and avoid) work from home jobs you’ll hate. 

So, when you eventually find yourself scouring work-from-home job ads, ask yourself these simple questions: 

• Does this job use skills I actually enjoy? 
• Will this job keep me from doing things I hate? 

If you answered a resounding, “yes” on both fronts — good news! This could very well be a dream remote job situation in the making.

Don’t Go Into A New Remote Job Blindly 

You think you’ve identified the right type of job and one that uses some of your favorite skills and omits the things you hate. As a bonus, it’s 100% remote-friendly. Sounds perfect, right? 

Not necessarily. 

Sometimes, when it comes to career choices, we think we’ve stumbled upon our dream jobs. But, as it turns out, said dream job only looks good on paper. When push come to shove, the so-called dream job is anything but ideal.

Let’s try to avoid that scenario, if at all possible. Remember, the goal here is NOT to get stuck in a work from home job you hate. 

So, once you’ve taken your job search online and have started to come across some promising  leads. Stop right there!

Before you spruce up your resume and submit your application, it’s time to put on your deerstalker cap and do a little detective work.

You want to understand what a day in the life of (insert job title here) is before you throw your hat in the ring. When you have a better of understanding of what Job XYZ entails, one of two things occurs: 

1. You decide it’s the perfect job for you. 
2. You find out it’s not the perfect job after all. 

Either way, you save yourself valuable time, energy, and effort by determining whether it’s a good fit before you get hired. 

But how do you determine what it’s truly like to work in a job you’ve never actually held before? Good question. You conduct informational interviews. 

The Importance Of Informational Interviews

An informational interview is a short and informal Q&A session with someone who can shed light on a particular industry or position. You’ll pick this person’s brain to find the answers to your burning questions. By the end of the interview, you’ll have a solid understanding of the job and whether or not it’s a good fit for you. 

Now, before you think that there’s no way that anyone will want to take time out of their busy day to answer your questions — stop right there! The truth is, people LOVE talking about themselves and what they do. Even more so when you approach them the right way.

A short email introducing yourself, identifying how you found them, and explaining that you want to work in (insert industry/job title here) and would love to ask them a few questions about their experiences is often met with enthusiasm from the recipient. 

From there you can schedule a short phone call (no more than 20 minutes, please) or send over an email with a list of your top 5 questions you’d love an answer to. Whether your interviewee responds on the phone or in writing, always, always, always follow up with a big thank you email. Your new contact can eventually become a valuable networking connection as you move towards a new remote-friendly career. 

Don’t Get Stuck In A Remote Job You Hate, Please 

I want you to enjoy the work-from-home lifestyle. If that means temporarily hitting the pause button on your job search, so be it. 

Remember, you want to put in the effort from the start to find a remote job you’ll love. This means you need to figure out the right type of remote position for you, identify what you love to do, and determine if a particular job actually fits the bill. 

With a little insider insight, you can finally find a remote job you love and avoid getting stuck in one you’ll hate. You’ve got this! 

Happily, 

Ashlee 

P.S. This post may contain affiliate links. To learn more about them, check out my disclosure statement. 

The post How Not To Get Stuck In A Work From Home Job You Hate appeared first on Work from Home Happiness.