“Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never work a day in your life,” famous author Mark Twain said.

To build off of Twain’s point, I would add that you need to find the right fit and environment for yourself in that job.

As May, and graduation, rolls around for many seniors like myself, so does the job search. Your career search is vital no matter if you’re a soon to be college graduate, still a student or looking to move from one job to another. 

People focus their eyes primarily on the salary at hand for the job or even the size/prestige of the company. Oftentimes, that can be a glaring mistake when accepting a position without doing further research and considering if you would be a great fit or even happy at your new workplace.

Growing up as an only child with my parents split up I have seen firsthand what a workplace environment that you don’t enjoy can do to you at times in your life. 

My parents have made a lot of sacrifices throughout their lives to support me, which I am incredibly grateful for; However, I have seen them also fed up with their jobs for different reasons. Seeing this all up close has taught me a lesson to pursue a career that I would be ecstatic to walk into each and every day.

Flowers often can’t blossom unless they are in the right environment. Think of yourself as a flower as you approach the job search. Find the best area possible where you can flourish and grow as a worker and especially as a person.

Look for workplaces that have a great culture, leadership and a chance for you to “never work a day in your life,” as Twain alludes to. 

One of those great cultures and job environments may or may not be an easy thing to find on the base level. You can certainly have a better chance at finding it if you dig deep enough and put a lot of research into the company instead of taking the job with the highest pay check or just because they are a notable name that may “elevate” your status.

I am still a rookie to this whole job searching process, but I certainly think a lot of people can agree that they would not want to go to work in a place that will make them depressed from the moment their alarm goes off until they clock out.

Put the extra time into the entire search process. Research the company you will be working for. Ask questions to members of the hiring committee that reveal more about the culture and leadership of the company.

Find happiness with your career. Find your fit.