The definite answer to the question: what is the difference between a job vs career?

Going to work is something most of us do daily. But, have you ever stopped to wonder if you are working at a job or in your career? Even though these terms are often used interchangeably, there are some differences between the two. In this blog, we will answer the age-old question: what is the difference between a job and a career?

Here, we will cover the following topics: 

• Difference between a job and a career

• Advantages of a job vs career

• 3 tips for transitioning from a job to a career

What is the difference between a job and a career?

In many ways, a job and a career both have the same outcome. They are the methods used to financially support yourself and your family. Both require time commitment and skills in a particular industry. Plus, you will need to navigate your relationships with customers, co-workers, and the leadership team in both a job and a career.

However, that’s where the similarities end and the differences begin. When it comes to a career versus a job, here are three differences you will encounter:

1. Future prospects

In most cases, jobs are short-term and don’t offer a lot of growth in the future. A career, however, is more of a long-term commitment. With a career, you are setting personal goals and developing skills that will help you grow into higher-level positions within your field. Where a job may not have a particular long-term path you are following, a career will require continuous learning and development.

2. Advancement

When it comes to jobs, you may find that your means for advancement are limited within a specific role. To move forward, you may have to move to an entirely different position within a company when you have a job. With a career, there is a natural trajectory of advancement and you have more opportunities to seek promotions and take on more responsibilities.

3. Satisfaction

Often, those who are developing a career tend to have more satisfaction than someone with a job. One reason for this is that jobs lack a sense of purpose beyond the current role and the tasks you are working on. With a career, you can build your work-life around your values and aspirations, which can help you feel more fulfilled.

What are the advantages of a job versus a career?

For many people, a career is the best option for the future. However, there are many instances where a job is the better fit. One is flexibility.  As mentioned, careers require more of a commitment than a job does, which means they aren’t as flexible regarding working hours and work-life balance. Another advantage is education.  Jobs are also a great option for those who do not have the opportunities for higher education that are often required in the career world.

Also, many careers carry with them a level of stress that isn’t desirable to everyone. Choosing a low-stress job instead can help you avoid this type of stress. Finally, for someone who is still undecided on what they’d like to do in the future, a job allows a level of exploration of a person’s interests that you won’t see with a career.

3 Tips for transitioning from a job to a career

Now that you know the differences between jobs and careers, you may have decided that you want to transition your job into a career. If so, there are several things you can do. 

To help, we’ve included some handy tips below for you to check out:

1. Goal setting

The first step is a self-assessment of your current skills and job level and to set goals. You should then begin working to develop more of the skills you need for your desired career.

2. Networking

As you are growing your skills, start networking with others who are already a part of your desired career industry.

3. Explore opportunities

Start looking for career opportunities, within your current organization and outside of it, that you can grow into. Don’t be afraid to seek guidance from a mentor during this process.

Ready to build a career of your own or transition from a job to a career? Our Pathway to Promotion service can help!

Key takeaways

1. Careers tend to have more opportunities for the future, advancement opportunities, and satisfaction rates than jobs do.

2. Jobs are perfect for those looking for flexibility, less stress, and the opportunity to explore multiple fields.

3. To transition from a job to a career, start by setting goals, networking with others in your chosen career, and searching for opportunities to grow into.