It's probably the worst time to look for a new job, but that's what I'm doing. It's not that I'm unhappy at my current job. Actually, I like what I do and my boss is really cool - two things that I didn't find at previous jobs. But, I've been feeling less and less motivated as the days go on. When it comes down to it, I DO want more of a challenge and something more focused on the environment. While my current job helps companies create a "greener" image for themselves, I still feel my primary purpose is sales (I do try to educate people on how they can lighten their carbon footprint every chance I get). I know every company out there is about money and making more of it efficiently, but I think there is a job out there that will give me a little more satisfaction, not only in my day-to-day duties but my overall job objective as well. And, yes, I'm looking for AT LEAST a $10K increase in annual salary...AT LEAST (seeing my W-2 for last year was just sad). Let's face it, we're all looking to make the most amount of money in the least amount of time and effort, employer and employee alike.
With that said, I'm also REALLY tired of job hopping. Before this, the longest I held a job was for almost 2 years. I wasn't fired ((knock on wood)), I just got bored with what I did every day and/or annoyed with management each time. Now, I fully expect I won't always be happy with management and a future coworker is going to annoy the crap out of me (there's always one), but what will get me through it is my love for the work. If you're thinking, "NO ONE loves their job or what they do forever", then I would say look at our parents' generation. I know my mom stayed with one hospital for 20 years....my dad has been with the same employer since I was born...and most of my aunts and uncles can say they've stayed in the same profession or workplace (they climbed up the ladder of course) for at least 10 years. And, I like to believe they stayed with a job or company that long because they actually LOVED what they did/do. So, I want the same thing.
Because I'm satisfied with my job now, I am being really picky about my next job because I want it to be my "Roots Settling Job." This will be the job that I can see myself doing for the next 10 years (which is basically when I plan to settle down and maybe start a family, yanno, lay some roots...hence, the roots reference). Employers get to say what they're looking for from me, so I think I should say what I'm looking for in an employer (just so I can remind myself of it during the job hunting process):
Minimum Qualifications:
1) Must be a public or government agency (e.g. City of Los Angeles, Orange County Transit Authority, Metropolitan Water Department)
2) Core duties MUST be related to the environment or environmental science (e.g. testing air quality, ensuring compliance of environmental regulations, promoting company-wide participation in eco-friendly behavior, etc)
3) 30-50% travel required (i.e. part of the time in the office doing paperwork/reports, part of the time out in the field interacting with the public and saving the world)
Desirable Qualifications:
- Within 5-15 miles of my residence or public transit friendly
- Alternative schedule (9/80 or 4/10)
- Relaxed dress code
- My own office (I've had this before and it's SO hard to go from that to just a cube :\)
- Paid Holiday Shutdown (I've had this at every job so far...so, I'm a bit spoiled on this one)
- Access to company vehicle for field work
- Cafeteria
Yeah, I'm basically looking for the near-perfect job. Is it out there? I hope so. Wish me luck friends, I'll keep you updated :)
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