Job Interviews

Starting Out, and Building Your Career

You are young. You have dreams. You want to make an impact. You want to forge your own path in the world.

But you are also confused. You don’t know what to do with your life. You don’t know what kind of job to look for. You don’t know what skills to develop. You don’t know what industry to join.

You are not alone. Millions of young people are in the same boat. They are adrift in a sea of uncertainty and anxiety. They are facing a world that is changing faster than ever before. They are competing with robots, algorithms, and billions of other humans.

So what should you do? How should you navigate this complex and chaotic landscape? How should you find your purpose and passion?

Here are some things I wish I knew when I was young. Here are some things that can help you find a job that is right for you.

Look For a Job That Teaches You Something New Every Day

The most valuable asset you have is your mind. The most important skill you need is learning how to learn. The most rewarding experience you can have is growing as a person.

Don’t look for a job that pays you well but bores you to death. Don’t look for a job that is easy but meaningless. Don’t look for a job that is comfortable but stagnant.

Look for a job that challenges you, that pushes you out of your comfort zone, that exposes you to new ideas, new people, new problems, new solutions.

Look for a job that makes you curious, that makes you ask questions, that makes you seek answers, that makes you experiment, that makes you fail, that makes you learn.

Look For a Job That Aligns With Your Values

The most powerful force in the world is not money, not fame, not power. It is values. Values are what drive us, what motivate us, what inspire us, what define us.

Don’t look for a job that contradicts your values, that compromises your integrity, that hurts your conscience, that damages your reputation.

Look for a job that aligns with your values, that reflects your character, that respects your dignity, that honors your humanity.

Look For a Job That Gives You Leverage

The most scarce resource in the world is not time, not talent, not capital. It is leverage. Leverage is what amplifies your impact, what multiplies your value, what increases your returns.

Don’t look for a job that limits your leverage, that confines your potential, that restricts your creativity, that wastes your energy.

Don’t look for a job that depends on your hours, your location, your credentials, your connections.

Look for a job that gives you leverage, that expands your reach, that enhances your skills, that leverages your network.

Look for a job that leverages technology, media, platforms, communities.

These are the three things I look for in a job: learning, values, and leverage. These are the three things I think young people should look for in a job.

Of course, there are other factors to consider: compensation, culture, fit, growth opportunities etc. But these are secondary to the three main criteria.

If you find a job that teaches you something new every day, aligns with your values, and gives you leverage, then you have found a great job.

If not, keep looking.