If this describes you, do you just resolve yourself to wait until the economy gets better before making a career switch?  Or is there something you can do now – TODAY – to find the work you love?

And if you’re unemployed right now, do you just take ANY job that comes your way, or can you really find your dream job in today’s environment?

Here are Four Things You Can Do TODAY to Help You Find the Work You Love in a Down Economy – whether you’re currently working or not:

1.  Build Your Personal Network – Today, with all the social networking websites like Facebook and MySpace, it is easier than ever to build your personal network.  That old roommate from college, whom you haven’t talked to in 15 years, just may know someone who has open positions that you’re looking for.

I’m not sure if it is still true today, but a few years ago, I read that only 12% of the jobs that are available are advertised.  The rest are promoted, and found, by word-of-mouth.  I know that’s been true in my own life.  Several of my previous jobs were not advertised.  In fact, some were created just for me.  I’ll tell you more about that another time.

So take the time to connect with old friends and acquaintances.  Let people know what kind of job you’re looking for.  Chances are, someone you know knows someone who is looking for you!  In fact, I just called a friend a few days ago to ask if they knew of anyone who could do some work for me.  They immediately had a person in mind, and I connected with them right away.

2.  Volunteer for a Cause or Organization You Care About – If you’re unemployed, or under-employed, a great way to build your network, use your skills (or learn new ones), live your passions, and find your dream job, is to volunteer for an organization or cause that you care about.

It could be your place of worship, a community or civic group, or another non-profit or non-governmental organization.  There’s always a chance that you might be hired by the organization you’re volunteering for.  That has happened to me on four occasions!

But even if that doesn’t happen for you, you’re now in a place where you’re doing what you love for a cause you care about.  You feel good about yourself and have a renewed sense of energy, making it easier for you to do the job that pays the bills, but you’re not so excited about.  And you’re meeting interesting people and building your network of connections.

3.  Take a Good Look at Yourself – Now is a great time for a little self-assessment.  What are your unique skills and abilities?  What are your personality traits?  What are your values, dreams, and passions?

Taking the time to know who you are and what you want out of life will help you in every aspect of your life – not just your career search.  Don’t make the mistake of just settling for the job you went to school for (if you don’t like it anymore), or the one you thought would pay the most money.  There is no lasting fulfillment in that.

4.  Start that Business You’ve Always Wanted – If you’ve aspired to start your own business someday, either full or part-time, that someday is TODAY!  It has never been easier to start something small and grow it big…whether it be retail sales, consulting, Internet sales, services like cleaning or cooking, etc.  Lots of websites offer help in how to do this.  Even the government does, through the Small Business Administration.

In this 48 Days To The Work You Love book , you will learn how to:

• Discover your God-given and perhaps buried talents
• Take those talents and create a clear focus
• Embrace the “gift” of meaningful work
• Experience the absolute release that comes from finding your passion
• Understand the differences between “vocation,” “career,” and “job”
• Learn from the shared life stories of those already living the 48 Days principles
• Go through defeat and “failure” and come back twice as strong
• Find job possibilities that never appear in the newspaper or online
• Make $1,000 a minute by negotiating your offer
• Turn your own ideas into extraordinary income
• Decide whether you want a “traditional job” or one of the new work models
• Recognize the only kind of “education” that has value
• Build up your assets , even while unemployed
• Find your IDEAL WORK – and LOVE it!

Click now to get your copy of 48 Days to the Work You Love!

Because our career impacts several aspects of our lives (financial provision and well being, enjoyment of life/work, etc.) making any change — especially a major change — is a difficult decision and process.

Here are some questions to ask yourself when contemplating a career change:

1. Are you changing careers for the right reasons? Some people want to change jobs to run away from problems at work (whether real or perceived).  The bad news it that problems, if not properly dealt with, can often follow us to the next job.  Others want to change jobs for more money.  Some want a job that is more fulfilling or gives them a greater sense of work-life balance.  What’s your reason for changing careers?
2. Do you have what it takes? You may have the desire to change jobs, but do you have the skill and ability it’ll take to find that next job?  There are lots of great career change resources out there, and career coaches can help too, in finding the work you’ll love.
3. Can you afford to make the switch? Can you search for your new job while working in your current job?  If not, do you have a financial cushion to help you through the transition?   Will you need to go back to school to get the job you want?  If so, have you checked out the possibility of a grant, scholarship, student loan or educational assistance from your current employer?  Can you afford to take the time to look right now, given everything else that is going on in your life?
4. Is there a demand for your chosen profession? Many of the top jobs or today were never thought of ten years ago.  So think about the career you’d like to get into.  Will it be around in ten years?  If so, how do you think it will change?  Think in terms of technology, energy, politics, etc.  We can’t anticipate everything, but we need to do our best thinking…and we need to ask leaders in the profession for their thoughts of what it’ll look like down the road.  Here’s a list of the top careers for the next decade.