How to Get a Good Job

From crafting a winning resume to scoring an interview, we'll help you land your dream job

Co-authored by Jennifer Landis-Santos, PCC, NBHWC and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: March 12, 2024 References

If you've had nothing but bad jobs in the past, you know there's a difference between getting "any" job and getting a "good" job. When you’re searching for employment, there are a few ways you can narrow down your search to filter out the bad jobs and apply to the quality ones. Read through these tips to see how you can find a good job and nail the application process in no time.

Question 1

How do I find a job that’s right for me?

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Sit down and make a list so you can narrow down your search. You can include your degree (if you have one), your job experience, and any vocational training you have.^{[1]
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Jennifer Landis-Santos, PCC, NBHWC
Certified Career Counselor & Wellness Coach

Expert Interview. 6 April 2022.} You can also include “soft skills,” like professionalism, responsiveness, and friendliness.^{[2]
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Kent Lee
Career & Executive Coach

Expert Interview. 2 April 2020.} Once you figure out the skills you already have, you can decide on a career path that’s right for you.^{[3]
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What did you like about your past jobs? What did you really dislike? Make a list of things both good and bad so you can keep them in mind as you search through opportunities.^{[4]
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American Academy of Family Physicians
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Identify your ideal work style. Do you like working from home, or would you rather go into the office? Are you a social butterfly who’s good at talking to a variety of people, or do you prefer backend work with less customer interaction? Answer these questions to narrow down your search when you find open positions.^{[5]
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American Academy of Family Physicians
Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities

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- You might also consider what amount of responsibility you would like in your ideal job. Are you comfortable answering phone calls or emails after the workday is over, for example?^{[6]
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  Jennifer Landis-Santos, PCC, NBHWC
  Certified Career Counselor & Wellness Coach
  
  Expert Interview. 6 April 2022.}

Question 2

Where should I look for a good job?

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Networking is your best way to find a job opportunity. If you know people in the field, shoot them an email and tell them you’re looking for a new job. If you went to school with anyone working right now, ask them if they know of any openings. Word-of-mouth is the number one way people find a job in today’s market.^{[7]
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Harvard Business Review
Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices

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You’ll find tons of jobs posted online that you can apply for quickly. Look at sites like Glassdoor, Monter, Indeed, LinkedIn, Google Jobs, and Ladders to start your search. You can enter in a keyword or a location to find the perfect job for you.^{[8]
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Question 3

How can I tell if a job is good?

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A good job is more than just the pay—you’ll want to ensure that you’re going to be happy there, too. Check out the company on Glassdoor or LinkedIn to see what employees are saying about the job duties, benefits, and company culture.^{[9]
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What would you be getting paid? How many hours would you work? Does the job provide benefits? Is there paid time off or vacation time? Is there any room for growth within the company? It’s up to you to decide if you’d like to accept, reject, or negotiate the offer that you’re presented with.^{[10]
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Harvard Business Review
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Question 4

How do I increase my chances of getting a job?

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Perfect your resumé. It’s your first impression for your potential employer. Make sure the format is clean and easy to read, list your skills in bullet points, and have your work and school experience front and center.^{[11]
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Kent Lee
Career & Executive Coach

Expert Interview. 2 April 2020.} Consider having a friend or family member look it over before sending it out.^{[12]
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Many employers will search you up online before hiring you. If they find something they don’t like (pictures of you smoking, drinking, or partying), it could affect their decision. Make sure your social media accounts are set to private or clean them up before you start applying for jobs.^{[13]
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It’s your time to prove yourself to the company. Wear an appropriate outfit for the job (usually slightly more dressed up than you would be on a typical work day). Show up on time and shake your interviewer’s hand, then answer the questions as best you can. When the interview is over, shake their hand again and thank them for their time.^{[14]
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Harvard Business Review
Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices

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Question 5

Which jobs pay the most?

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In fact, a 2020 report states that anesthesiologists and surgeons get paid the most out of any job out there. However, you do need a doctorate degree before getting these jobs, and that much school can take a lot of time.^{[15]
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This field is often called “middle management.” If you’re a middle manager, you’ll take direction from your boss and give direction to your employees. You can work your way up to being a manager in most companies, so it’s a great goal to keep in mind as you enter the workforce.^{[16]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

What is a good dream job?

Jennifer Landis-Santos, PCC, NBHWC
Certified Career Counselor & Wellness Coach
Jennifer Landis-Santos is a Certified Career Counselor & Wellness Coach and the Founder of Career Wellness, LLC. With 20 years of experience, she specializes in helping others identify and move towards a satisfying life and work balance. Jennifer is a graduate of Georgetown University’s Institute for Transformational Leadership, where she is on the faculty of the Health and Wellness Coaching Program. She's a Professional Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation and a Certified Career Counselor through the National Career Development Association.

Jennifer Landis-Santos, PCC, NBHWC

Certified Career Counselor & Wellness Coach

Expert Answer

The term “dream job” must be held lightly, as it tends to put a lot of pressure on you to find “the perfect fit.” The reality is that work is just one element of what we do on a regular basis in our lives. You will find more satisfaction if you define a holistic, big picture, successful life and think about the job as a vehicle to help get you to that destination.

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Question

How do I find a career I love?

Jennifer Landis-Santos, PCC, NBHWC
Certified Career Counselor & Wellness Coach
Jennifer Landis-Santos is a Certified Career Counselor & Wellness Coach and the Founder of Career Wellness, LLC. With 20 years of experience, she specializes in helping others identify and move towards a satisfying life and work balance. Jennifer is a graduate of Georgetown University’s Institute for Transformational Leadership, where she is on the faculty of the Health and Wellness Coaching Program. She's a Professional Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation and a Certified Career Counselor through the National Career Development Association.

Jennifer Landis-Santos, PCC, NBHWC

Certified Career Counselor & Wellness Coach

Expert Answer

Think about whether you are most attracted to working with things, people, or information and look for patterns and themes in your life. What kinds of problems do you like to solve? What else is important in your life? Your job must give space for these things or you will find your job a burden.

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Question

How can I get a good job with no experience?

Kent Lee
Career & Executive Coach
Kent Lee is a Career and Executive Coach and the Founder of the Perfect Resume, a career development services company based in Phoenix, Arizona. Kent specializes in creating customized resumes, LinkedIn profiles, cover letters, and thank you letters. Kent has over 15 years of career coaching and consulting experience. Previously, he has worked as a Career Consultant for Yahoo and has worked with thousands of clients including Fortune 500 executives from around the world. His work and career advice have been featured in ABC, NBC, CBS, Yahoo, Career Builder, and Monster.com.

Kent Lee

Career & Executive Coach

Expert Answer

Add information about your extracurricular activities, what you may be studying, and any societies or clubs that you belong to. You can also add a volunteer and community involvement section. Early on in your career, you may want to consider a job in customer service at a restaurant or grocery store to build up your resume.

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Tips

You don’t have to be making millions to be happy with your job. A good job looks different for everyone, so don’t compare your situation to others.^{[17]
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Jennifer Landis-Santos, PCC, NBHWC
Certified Career Counselor & Wellness Coach

Expert Interview. 6 April 2022.}

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