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I'm not saying the perfect job actually exists... it's more of an ideal. Reflecting on what you want out of your working life is a healthy and necessary exercise—especially when you're considering a career break or have the opportunity to try something or somewhere new. I've made a short "wish list" of characteristics from my imagination; what would you add—or subtract—to define your perfect job?

In very general terms (this isn't intended to describe a particular job or workplace) my perfect job should:

• Be a non-depressing topic of conversation with friends;
• Involve working with happy people, and has opportunities to laugh (with colleagues and clients);
• Make use of Macs;
• Value written communication;
• Utilize existing knowledge and skills into which I have invested heavily;
• Exercise hidden talents;
• Offer flexible, part-time hours;
• Have employers that listen to, and recognize the importance of the well-being of, all staff;
• Offer remuneration that properly recognizes the stress/ dedication/ effort put into the job;
• Allow room for creative expression;
• Provide a balance between working alone and team working;
• Have a clearly defined role that isn't a straight-jacket;
• Have opportunities to learn and practice new skills—and the incentive to take them;
• Offer an exciting working environment (attitudes and architecture);
• Employ colleagues I can work with and respect (a bit like choosing your relatives, no?);
• Promote a mantra the whole team can get behind and believe in;
• Allow a "comfort zone" yet be without the feeling of being coerced or inhibited to step outside of it;
• Involve working with people from all walks of life (not exclusively those with depressing circumstances or problems);
• Have minimal incurred expenses (commuting, professional registration/ indemnity, etc.);
• Exercise the mind (e.g. challenges) and body (e.g. walk to work);
• Be recognizable for what it is when I have it!

Now all I need to do is identify the career that matches up to this list. Hmm... it might be more practical to embark upon a process of "attitudinal adjustment". Expectation can be a real bind sometimes.

Possibly not the perfect job (Times Square, NYC)

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