What Job Is Right for Me? Identifying Your Ideal Role!

Are you reviewing different positions and wondering, ‘What job is right for me?’ If so, you are not alone. It’s not uncommon for career professionals to be confused about specific job titles and the corresponding responsibilities. There can be some ambiguity between various roles depending on the industry, area of expertise, and organization to add to the complexity.

How do you know if you are a competitive candidate and what a company is looking for? In addition to doing proactive research about individual organizations online, relying heavily on what is stated explicitly in the job posting is ideal to answer the question, “What job is right for me?” In the past, we have gone over how to understand what an organization is looking for by breaking down and reviewing a job description. That information is beneficial for a variety of positions. Today, we have taken the time to cover common position titles and levels to understand which job roles are the best targets for you!

Entry-level position

Entry-level positions are usually seen as beginning roles that collaborate with other positions and cross-functional teams to enhance business efforts. Recent graduates and new professionals with minimal experience often apply for these jobs to be very competitive (especially at high-profile organizations). Other titles you might see include Assistant or Apprentice. A degree in a related field may or may not be required, and most companies like candidates to demonstrate familiarity with position expectations, management, problem-solving, and analysis. Depending on the field or industry, having a master’s degree and additional experience in the focus area can either help you stand out from other candidates or make you seem overqualified.

Mid-level Spectrum

These roles can encompass similar responsibilities of an Entry-level position, but they generally involve more complex projects and management opportunities. Mid-level spectrum candidates usually have at least 2-3 years of practical experience in an area and an understanding of knowledge and application within the field. While most Mid-level positions only require a bachelor’s degree, some may strongly prefer professionals with a master’s degree or Ph.D. Examples of titles within the Mid-level spectrum may be:

• Specialist
• Representative
• Analyst
• Associate
• Technician

Many Mid-level jobs aim for individuals who also have developed communication and presentation skills since they may be working with other team members in different departments.

Senior-level Positions

A Senior-level position is generally seen as a leader within their department. Titles within this area may contain manager, director, or chief. Depending on the company, they can manage a team of others within their field while interfacing with other business units such as sales, marketing, quality, development, engineering, etc. Senior-level employees can be experts within their organization regarding specific areas in their field. Some of these positions only expect a bachelor’s degree with extensive years of experience. However, the vast majority of Senior roles prefer candidates with graduate degrees. Aspects of technical expertise, project management, stakeholder management, and communication are vital for consideration.

Asking yourself, “What job is right for me?” is not a bad thing. It can be challenging to know if you are a viable candidate for varying positions within some organizations. In addition to the positions and titles we discussed, some organizations have subgroups of each role and even Executive roles. The job duties of those roles usually increase in responsibility but are very customized to the hiring company. Researching what you read in a job description can help you determine what job is right for you based on your background. When unable to identify, develop a few focused questions to ask a recruiter or hiring manager. What are some questions you could ask a recruiter to answer the question, “What job is right for me?”

Fly High Coaching is dedicated to helping you and your business succeed. We offer expert business coaching to help professionals navigate the ups and downs of owning, operating and succeeding in their business goals. Reach out to us today to get started on business coaching or check out our Kick Start Your Success Course to learn what you can do now.