Don't Love Your Job? Find One You Want

GREENVILLE, S.C. - WYFF 4.com

Unemployment has dominated news stories over the past year, but what if you have a job you don't like?

Whether you are over-qualified for your current job or you just don't love it, News 4's John Eby found some valuable tips to get you from the job you have to one you want.

Even before the economy went south, dissatisfaction with jobs was the topic of conversations across the country and even TV sitcoms.

The recession only added to the problem, forcing some workers into underemployment, settling for part-time jobs because nothing else was available.

Keith Luscher, author, speaker, and marketing expert, said even if your job is inadequate, it's still an asset.

Luscher said, "Make sure that where you are today, will -- by the time YOU leave -- you will have left your mark."

That's his first tip for getting a better job: make your mark where you work. He said the best way to do that is look for a need and fill it.

"Be open minded about what kind of needs can your skills fulfill," Luscher said.

He said whether you're a banker or a barista, the key is to think like an entrepreneur.

"Whether it is increasing efficiency, saving money, increasing profits, increasing revenues -- something that's measurable," Luscher said.

His next tip is to remember you're writing your resume every day and avoid a trap for discouraged workers.

"We've all gone into places where we could tell the person doesn't like working there, and they're taking it out on us. Don't be one of those," he said.

No matter what job you have or what job you're looking for, Luscher said employers are looking for hard work and integrity above all else. That means less of playing Internet solitaire and more of productive work.

"That's the question your next employer is going to ask," Luscher said. "They're going to ask you, 'What did you do? What kind of benefit did you provide? What kind of impact did you have?'"

But even if you are doing everything right, sometimes IT can still be a matter of "not what you know, but who you know."

That's why Luscher said "prospecting" is huge.

"Prospecting is defined as the continuous activity of exploring for and qualifying new people to meet and talk with about what you do and your business," he said.

Prospecting, now generally referred to as networking, has always been part of searching for work, but now there are new tools to use, such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

"LinkedIn, has, in many respects, is replacing the traditional resume," Luscher said.

But he said to remember that networking is a two-way street.

"By all means, contribute," Luscher said. "Pay it forward."

His last tip applies to communication, online or not: listen.

"Put your personal agenda aside," Luscher said.

He said listening opens doors, building the relationships that will lead to opportunities.

"When you can make that emotional connection with a person -- that makes all the difference in the world," Luscher said.

And the difference it makes could get you a better job.

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