For many job seekers, the idea of finding a job you love feels like an epic quest fraught with challenges. You explore opportunities, hoping to find the perfect match, only to discover something about the position doesn’t actually meet your needs.

Maybe the work comes with duties you despise, or the pay rate doesn’t measure up to industry standards. Maybe you’re new to the field, and you aren’t entirely sure which career path will lead you to your ideal role.

And risking selecting the wrong job can seem especially daunting, particularly if leaving would increase your odds of looking like a job hopper. Luckily, there are things you can do to improve your chances of landing a position you’ll love. Here’s how to get started.

Before you begin job hunting, you need to understand what qualities make a position perfect in your eyes. Does it need to provide a particular salary? Are you passionate about specific project types or tasks? What about the environment and culture?

Ultimately, this step involves some serious soul searching. If you need some guidance, consider taking some career quizzes to narrow down the field or kind of work. You can also consult with a career coach to see if they can help you discover what matters to you.

Once you understand what you need to find, you can search for a job that meets those parameters, making it easier to sort through your option.

When you find a role that has potential, you want to do more than just apply. Perform some internet searches to locate reviews from employees or reach out to your network to get the inside scope on the environment.

Often, key aspects of a company’s culture aren’t easy to ascertain from a vacancy announcement alone. Plus, details on the position’s manager may be scarce in public postings. But, by digging in, you might be able to find information that isn’t readily available, helping you determine whether it is an ideal workplace.

Interviewing is a two-way street. Not only does the hiring manager have a chance to discover more about what you have to offer, but you also get to find out more about them and the company.

At the end of nearly every interview, you’ll have a chance to ask a few questions, so choose options that help you explore whether the job as a whole is right for you. This can include inquiring about the management style, opportunities for professional growth, or even the physical layout of the workspaces (such as whether the company uses an open office design).

You can also request additional information about the duties associated with the job. For example, asking what a normal day in the role looks like can be beneficial as well as what percentage of your time would be allocated to specific tasks. This helps you get a clearer picture of what it is like to work in the role, making it easier to determine if it is a match.

With a little bit of self reflection and diligence, you can find and land a job you’ll love. And, once you do, you’ll be happy you put forth the effort.

If you are looking for a job you’ll love, the professionals at The Advance Group can connect you to exciting opportunities with some of the area’s most coveted employers. Contact us to learn more about our open positions and see how our services can benefit you.