Recently, I attended a social event where I didn't know anybody. You know these occasions -- they're the ones where you're just the guest of the person who was really invited. The functions you attend merely to keep peace, where you endure a couple of hours of boredom in order to forestall a full week of disharmony.

Upon arrival at the doorstep of my unknown host, invitee in arm, I take a quick survey of the room in search of my fellow "uninvited" guests. As is usually the case, "my people" are not hard to spot. They're the ones with the awkward smiles engaged in superficial conversation in the far corner. I head straight to them; I know this is where I belong.

Within a matter of minutes, the inevitable "So Dan, what do you do?" comes up. I hesitate briefly, knowing that if I identify myself as a Career Counselor, it's the same as pasting a sign on my back that says "Dump Your Work Problems Here.” I once had a guy instantly whip out his resume and ask for feedback while chomping on a cheese puff. So, I confess, sometimes I lie. If I just say "I'm a Financial Analyst," there are far fewer follow-up questions, leaving me more time to have a few cheese puffs myself.

Still, in my more insecure moments, I'll admit to being a Career Counselor if it makes me appear to be more interesting. Practically everybody has a career issue, a workplace crisis or job dilemma they're eager to share with me. So just by listening, I'm dubbed a great conversationalist and it's sure a lot easier than trying to make small talk.

The conversations are predictable. There are the "I hate" pronouncements, as in "I hate my job," "I hate my boss," or "I hate my coworkers.” These exhortations are often followed by "Do you think I should ask for more money?” How much should I ask for?” It’s these questions that help me justify lying. The only escape is to pretend I see someone I know across the room, excuse myself, and dive into the hors d'oeuvre table.

The more stimulating discussions evolve from "where," "what" or "how" questions, like: "Where are the good jobs?” Or "What are the hot-track jobs?” And "How can I find them?” These are more fun for me because they presume I'm holding secret, highly classified information. I can wallow in self-importance!

But really though, where are the good jobs? And what constitutes a "good" job anyway? High pay? Fun work? Promising future?

If it's the bucks you're after, then Investment Banking might be for you. Physician and Surgeon are good jobs that pay well -- so are Dentist, Podiatrist and Chiropractor. But with these jobs, there's the whole training and education thing to get through. Besides, the highest rate of growth for health-related jobs is in Texas. Would you really look that good in a 10-gallon hat?

A "good job" may not be located "where you want to be” or "where you want to be" may not be a source of any "good jobs.” Top-Level Executives and Managers are needed in Minnesota, but the highest rate of salary growth is happening in West Virginia. Likewise, Teacher salaries are growing in New Jersey, but the most jobs are in Florida. And Engineers, Computer Scientists and Electronic Technicians, while commanding top dollar in Florida and Michigan, are in greatest demand in North Carolina and again, Texas.

If "fun" work is your goal, it could be found most anywhere, including Texas, depending on what your idea of fun is. Fun is relative. I’ve known Actuaries who enjoy their work tremendously and Cruise Directors who are burned out. A recent client of mine landed a job as a Director of Humor (no kidding) for a technology firm. This sounds like fun, but last week he called to tell me he had been downsized in the latest go-round. I laughed in anticipation of the punch line. There wasn't one.

What about a "promising future?" The Bureau of Labor Statistics tops off its list of the "Fastest Growing Jobs 1998-2008" with Computer Engineer (of course), but continues with such jobs as Residential Counselor, Interior Designer, Physical Therapist and Management Analyst, among others. And every year, U.S. News and World Report compiles its annual list of "Hot Track Jobs," with predictions for new occupations poised for takeoff. The latest roundup includes such occupations as Supermarket Chef, Internet Political Strategist, Privacy Officer and Nanotechnologist.  Huh?

Before asking "where are the good jobs?" try starting with a good assessment -- of yourself, your interests, your strengths, your personal values. The more important questions are:

What do you want from your job above and beyond a paycheck?  Interesting projects? Stimulating colleagues? Flextime? Independence and autonomy? Clarifying your work values will help you evaluate whether a job will be satisfying or draining.

What skills do you possess that you actually enjoy using?  Sometimes we can get very good at doing things we never chose to do in the first place. Ability has very little to do with enjoyment. Discard the skills you don't enjoy and fill your bag with new, more satisfying ones.

Who are the sort of people with whom you want to spend your time?  It’s not enough to say you enjoy working with people (what else are you gonna work with?), but rather the ways you enjoy working with people: managing them, helping them, teaching them, writing about them or merely going to lunch with them.

In what kinds of organizational environments are you most comfortable?  A business environment is different from an education environment is different from a healthcare environment is different from a non-profit environment is different from a government environment, and so on. Investigate the differences.

What would you most want to wake up to each day?  Draw a picture of the ideal job: the role, the responsibilities, the tasks, the people, the environment. If you know what you want to find, you'll increase your likelihood of finding it. Define your version of "the good job."

Okay, so I'm not exactly the life of the party. I saunter back into the crowd, introduce myself to a cluster of newly arrived "guests-of-guests" to partake in the small talk (already in progress):

"How 'bout those Red Sox?"

"Yeah, Nomar is something, eh?"

"Think this weather will hold up?"

"Don't know, but I'll take it."

"So Dan, what do you do?"

"I'm a Financial Analyst"

"Really...."


© 2000, Career Planning and Management, Inc., Boston, MA.  All rights reserved.