5 . A person once told me that a quick way to know if you are in the right job is to count the number of good and bad days that you have at your current job. If the good days outweigh the bad days by a long shot, then you are probably in the right place.
While I like that as a quick test, it does not get at the heart of the matter. Is this the right job for me now and in the future? I think it takes time, introspection (内省) and willingness to ask yourself difficult questions to know if you are in the right job.
Here are a few suggested questions that can help you evaluate whether your current job is fit for you. How motivated are you to do the work every day? Are you passionate about the work? Do you feel you can make an impact? Are you learning and growing? Is the work challenging? Do you desire to take on more responsibility or be your manager one day? Do you enjoy working with the people on your team and at your company? Are you in line with the values at the company?
After you go through this exercise of self-reflection, it can be helpful to check in with an advisor or someone that knows you well like a friend or family member. They can offer different perspectives or help remove a blind spot for you.
I have had a few notable experiences where someone has shared feedback that suggested I was not in the right job and should consider other options. It caused an overwhelming sense of loss at first because I was quite comfortable in my role (or at least I thought I was). However, it was several days before I realized it was the best feedback that I had ever gotten because it led me to the next opportunity that was even better than the current one. It turned out that when I was doing my self-reflection and answering the questions above, I was not being honest with myself. Had I only relied on my own thinking, I would have not obtained the opportunities that came next.
1. What question CAN’T help you assess whether you are enjoying the work itself and accomplishing something?
| A．Are you passionate about the work? |
| B．Do you feel you can make an impact? |
| C．Are you in line with the values at the company? |
| D．How motivated are you to do the work every day? |
2. It can be helpful to tell an advisor or people acquainted with you after you finish 8 important questions of self-reflection because _________.
| A．they get to the point of the matter |
| B．they are resourceful with numerous experiences |
| C．they can encourage you to figure out the number of sunny days and rainy days |
| D．they can view things from different angles and remind you of things likely to be neglected |
3. What can we infer from the last paragraph?
| A．It’s wise to answer questions right away. |
| B．Prior to the shared feedback, the author received the best suggestion. |
| C．The author was satisfied initially when others suggested considering other choices. |
| D．Having considered others’ shared feedback, the author had a better opportunity. |
4. Which of the following best describes the author?
| A．Open-minded. | B．Stubborn. |
| C．Loyal. | D．Knowledgeable. |
