January 6, 2024

Career, Career Change, Career Guidance, Career Pivot, Career Transition

successful Black woman executive; 7 Strategies to Discover What Type of Job You Really Want; find Black executive coach near; best Black executive near; job change, career change after 50; changing job in your 40s; career pivot; career change; best Black career coach near; — Image created by Author via Sintra

Are you feeling stuck in a job that no longer excites you? Wondering if there’s something better out there but unsure what direction to take? You’re not alone. One of the biggest obstacles to making a career change is uncertainty about what type of job you really want.

Too often, we get trapped in patterns of thinking based on what seems practical or expected. But breaking free begins with one crucial mindset shift: rethinking what’s truly possible for you.

If you’re feeling unsure, uninspired, or completely blank about your next move, use these transformative prompts and exercises to clarify your ideal job. And reignite your career journey.

1. Start With What You Don’t Want

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Sometimes the clearest insights come from contrast. Make a list of the aspects of work that drain or frustrate you. Then, consider the opposite.

Hate commuting? Maybe remote or local work is more your speed.
Dread office politics or rigid rules? You might thrive in a creative, independent role like freelancing or entrepreneurship.
Feel restricted by status or societal expectations? It’s time to question whose standards you’re living by.

Asking yourself what you don’t want helps illuminate what you do want, even if it’s unconventional.

2. Challenge the “Shoulds” in Your Mind

Take a moment to identify the limiting beliefs you’ve accepted:

“I should have a prestigious title.”
“I need a six-figure salary to feel successful.”
“My career must impress others.”

These pressures often mask your true desires. Deep down, your passion might lie in something totally different. Like working outdoors, creating with your hands, or helping others on a more personal level.

Remember: you don’t owe anyone a job that doesn’t fulfill you.

3. Dream Without Limits

If there were no obstacles, financial, societal, or otherwise, what would you spend your days doing?

Would you travel the world, exploring cultures and writing about your adventures?
Would you build something, whether it’s homes, furniture, or a personal brand?
Would you create, paint, design, or film?
Would you launch a small business, connecting with people on your terms?

Don’t just think about the job title. Also imagine the lifestyle, the environment, the people you’d surround yourself with, and how it would feel to wake up each morning doing what you love.

4. Reflect on Your Alternate Paths

Ever wondered where you’d be if you made different choices?

What if you had said yes to that opportunity you turned down?
What if you had passed on that “safe” job that never felt quite right?

Revisit those forks in the road. Imagine different versions of yourself. Then extract the qualities that still call to you.

These reflections reveal hidden longings that can point you toward the job you really want.

5. Redefine What “Success” Means to You

Not every dream job needs to be revolutionary or widely recognized. What matters most is how it aligns with your values, your interests, and your joy.

Would you be happy running a quiet art studio in a small town? Helping elderly people live better lives? Growing your own food and selling it locally?

Big dreams aren’t better dreams, they’re just louder. The best job is the one that fits you perfectly.

6. Visualize Your Future Self

Close your eyes and picture this:

What does the future “you” look like?
Where are you living?
Who are you working with, or are you working alone?
What kind of impact are you making, even in small ways?
What’s your daily routine?

This mental picture can help you design a life, and career, that feels authentic, energizing, and sustainable.

7. Take Action. Even Small Steps Matter

Once you’ve started to get clearer on what type of job you really want, it’s time to take action. This doesn’t mean quitting tomorrow. Start by:

Researching industries or roles that align with your vision.
Taking online courses to build new skills.
Networking with people who already do what you want to do.
Trying out side projects or volunteer work to test new paths.

Momentum builds clarity. Every step you take brings your dream job closer. So you can find out what type of job you really want.

Your Life Is Calling. Will You Answer, to Find Out What Type of Job You Really Want?

The truth is, your ideal job isn’t something you stumble upon. It’s something you design, step by step. With curiosity, courage, and some inner work, you can figure out what type of job you really want. And begin building a life around it.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I know if I’m in the wrong job don’t know what type of job I really want?

If you’re consistently drained, uninspired, or anxious about work, it’s a sign your current job may not align with your true values or strengths.

2. What if I don’t have any passions or clear interests?

Start by identifying what drains you and what energizes you, even in small ways. Passion often grows through action and experimentation.

3. Can I change careers later in life?

Absolutely. Many people make successful career changes in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond. It’s never too late to pursue meaningful work.

4. How do I balance passion with practicality?

Look for intersections…ways your interests can meet market needs. Passion and practicality can coexist with creativity and planning.

5. What if I fail in a new career?

Failure is part of growth. Every setback brings valuable lessons and helps refine your path. It’s not failure. It’s feedback.

6. Should I quit my job before I know what I want?

It’s better to explore possibilities while you’re still employed. Create a transition plan and test new paths before making a major move.

Ready to take the next step toward discovering what type of job you really want? Your future isn’t fixed. It’s yours to shape. Start today.

Black executive coach for women, Twanna Carter, PhD; best Black executive coach; quiet firing, find best Black executive coach; find best Black career coach; executive coaching for Black women; V.I.P. Career Services; undermining senior executive women; you deserve rest too; what type of job you really want

I’m a certified executive coach and an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) for Twanna Carter Professional & Personal Coaching, LLC. I flubbed my first career transition from the military so badly, it took me the next 10+ years to build my confidence and recover. I know what it feels like to struggle with imposter syndrome and uncertainty about my leadership skills in the workplace. It’s why I am dedicated to empowering Black women. Helping them navigate career challenges and uncertainty by providing them with the tools and strategies they need to be successful. Schedule a V.I.P. Roadmap session today.

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