The Difference Between a Job and a Career
We spend a lot of time working. In fact, with the traditional retirement age being 65, many people spend well over 40 years of their life working. With all this time dedicated to making a living, have you ever stopped to think about the difference between a job and a career?
A job is usually described as a work situation where you punch a clock to pay your bills. You work a job to meet your basic needs and you may or may not need to learn additional skills in order to be successful at your job.
A career can be thought of as a combination of jobs, experiences, training and relationship-building that is focused on your training growth, and added compensation along the way. A career is associated with the long-term. You may have a career in sales consisting of multiple positions at different companies with slight variations, but under one umbrella.
While jobs and careers have their differences, they are anchored in the middle by the importance of mindset. Whether you are in a position that you consider simply a job, or one that you believe to be contributing to your career, there are things you can do to make the most of each day of work.
You can think about contributing as much value as possible
Even if you work in a job you don’t see being long term, there is merit in choosing to come to work each day as the best employee you can be. When you begin to build a strong work ethic, it will be a habit that follows you from entry-level jobs, all the way to the top of your career ladder. And the sooner you put this into practice, the sooner it can service you as you take on more responsibility. Additionally, it helps fuel your sense of purpose. Every job you do might not be your dream job, but every job can be a chance to help make other’s dreams come true.
You can focus on learning as much as possible
Every job you do offers you the opportunity to learn. Again, you might not be exactly where you want to be right now, but how can your current position help propel you to that place? How can learning how to do paperwork quickly and accurately help you get to where you want to be? How can learning how to use the company’s new internal communication or scheduling system help you get to where you want to be? If you are someone with a passion for learning and self-improvement, you will not only bring value to your current company, but you will be an attractive candidate for future companies down the line.
You can focus on relationship-building
Building relationships is one of the most important aspects of a successful career. The way that you treat people and the way that you go about your work can greatly contribute to your reputation and help you build teams of people who will help you grow and evolve. Some of the best leaders are those who know how to bring their team together cohesively and a key component of this is being able to network and build relationships. If you see yourself becoming a leader in your career story, begin building relationships where you are right now so that you can hone this skill!
Remember, whether you are in a short-term job, or in a position that directly relates to your career story, your mindset will determine how much you give and gain at your workplace. Most people don’t know what they want to do long term but if you're focused on doing the current job well, you will likely unlock other opportunities. Sometimes a job can lead directly to a career but if not, you can still find long term gains from a job And above all, fulfilling your purpose looks different for different people. What you see as a way to pay the bills, someone else might see as their life’s work. It never hurts to walk into work with the attitude that you are fulfilling a purpose.
Do you need support and guidance when it comes to moving from a job and into a career? Enroll in the Career Maven Academy, and be part of a group of women looking to level up and become the CEOs of their own careers in a 4-week job search group coaching program.