Many people spend a lot of time searching for their dream jobs. They know what they enjoy doing; they just have a hard time finding a way to get paid for it. Alternatively, they like what they already do but feel bogged down by the politics or red tape they have to go through to actually make a difference. As a person of faith, you probably have high standards for fulfilling work, but that doesn't mean those goals are unattainable. The following tips can help you find a meaningful career.

Identify Your Passions

Before you can find a job that is meaningful, you must figure out the things that inspire you. After all, most people spend a significant portion of their waking hours at their jobs, so it should reflect who you are as a person. A good way to get started is to look at the things you already do for free. If you enjoy reading or leading the church book club, for example, you may enjoy a career that is centered around the written word. Volunteering or raising money for the local food bank may indicate that you are passionate about feeding people. Are you the first to sign up for a spot at the fair-trade booth? You may be able to put your concern for good labor standards to use in other areas of your life.

Keep in mind that, while passions are certainly motivating, it's the overall purpose behind them that keeps your momentum going. Choosing a career by passion alone can leave you disillusioned and overwhelmed, especially if you are working with others who don't value the same things you do. You need specific goals to find the work that is most fulfilling to you.

Create Your Purpose

A great career has several characteristics:

• It is enjoyable. No matter how important what you are doing may be to the world, if you dread doing it, it's not going to be gratifying to you. Doing something every day that you don't enjoy is a fast track to burnout.
• It allows you to use your strengths. Different people have different talents. If you are great at gathering information and cultivating a workable strategic plan, those strengths are likely to be wasted in a position where you don't have the opportunity to use them. The best career for you is one where your strengths are allowed to shine.
• It helps other people. Finding something you enjoy doing is nice, but if you don't know how it helps others or contributes to the world around you, it may be hard to see much of a future in it. A job where you get to help other people in tangible ways, even if they're small benefits, is more likely to be rewarding.
• It pays the bills. The most spiritually or emotionally rewarding jobs can also be the most stressful, particularly if you have to worry about how far your paycheck will go. Having meaningful work shouldn't automatically mean you have to sacrifice your own financial security. Look for jobs that help you meet your budget.

Trying to find a job that incorporates all these factors can be overwhelming, especially if you don't know where to look. If you have tried several methods and nothing seems to work, you may benefit from hiring a career consultant. Many offer their first sessions for free so that you can determine whether you are a good fit before you make a financial commitment to their services.

You may have a good job that pays the bills but doesn't satisfy your passions, or you may love what you do but not get paid a livable wage to do it. You don't have to settle for work that doesn't fulfill your needs. Finding a meaningful career that checks all the proverbial boxes is an attainable goal.