14 Jun Job vs. Career: Is There a Difference & Does it Matter?
People have been debating the difference between a job and a career for a long time. In recent years, this debate has picked up steam between employees. But is there really a difference? The terms “job” and “career” are used interchangeably by most, but their dictionary definitions do have some noticeable differences. Here are the main distinctions between a job and a career and why it might mean a lot to know the differences during your working journey.
Job vs. Career: Why is this even a debate?
As most debates like this are, the discussion about what makes a job and a career different can vary depending on who you talk to. Some people think this debate has little traction while others take it very seriously.
Overall, this debate sparked between workers that wanted to have a clearer distinction between the work they do for immediate results and the work they progress toward throughout a good portion of their working life.
If you don’t particularly think about what words mean in relation to you, then it is likely that the job vs. career debate doesn’t affect you much. However, if you are someone that has noticed the influence of your mentality toward something because of the words used to describe it, then this debate might mean a whole lot more.
The Differences between a Job & a Career:
From the dictionary definitions of these two words to the mindset differences, there are actually quite a few distinctions you can find between a job and a career.
What is a Job?
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary and the American Heritage Dictionary define a job as an activity performed for payment. It is a task that is primarily done in return for money, short-term, and closer to entry-level positions (i.e., not typically C-level executives or with many promotions available).
A job may not always require higher education or specific training to do. However, some jobs may be hard to acquire if there is a higher demand. This, of course, depends on location and the job type.
Further, some characteristics of a job can include routine tasks and limited room for growth. Jobs aren’t seen as something long-term, so they tend to include monotonous tasks, follow heavily routine days, and change quickly.
What is a Career?
In contrast, the same two dictionaries define a career as a chosen profession that one follows for most of their working life. They are long-term, goal-oriented professions that typically align with someone’s personal ambitions.
Some also define a career as a series of jobs that are built on from one job to another. They connect through a similar industry and often require specific training and education the higher you go.
Further, a career has more long-term goals, in-depth plans, and multiple paths of progress. Daily responsibilities might not be consistent throughout your career and could include a lot of changes that directly come from your goals.
Additional Job vs. Career Differences
The biggest difference between a job and a career is our mentality toward each of them.
Take a second to define these two words in your own way. Think about how you personally feel when someone calls something a job or a career.
Our attachment to these words differs depending on the people we grew up around, the culture we grew up in, and our personal thoughts on the meaning of these words.
If your definition of a career makes it larger than a job, then your mentality toward it will be vastly different. You would go into any position for your career path as something worth doing despite any frustrations and roadblocks. It would be something you enjoy doing, something with a lot of growth potential, and something you don’t find yourself getting bored of after a few years.
On the other side, a job might come across as something with less impact on your future, emotional well-being, and passions. A job would be a place where you find yourself just getting your responsibilities done without extra work or thought into developing your skills more.
You could consider a job just a way to have an income while a career is something that mostly feeds into your happiness. People are more likely to work harder for the jobs they care about—i.e., their careers—so it is no surprise that our mentalities greatly differ between a job and a career.
Does the Job vs. Career Distinction Matter?
Well… not really.
Honestly, the distinction between a job and a career matter very little on the grand scale. Their definitions are very subjective. What may be a job for one person can be a career for someone else.
Further, some people prefer to stay in short-term jobs for most of their life—as it matches what they need financially, location-wise, or schedule-wise—or they don’t have the opportunity to chase their dream careers.
Putting such a distinction between a job and a career will mostly affect you personally. It can push you to expand your limits, learn new skills, try different things, and grow. However, it can also lower your drive if there is too much pressure on yourself while making the distinction.
So… does the difference between a job and a career matter? That is something you will have to ask yourself.
Want to Change Your Job into a Career?
If you’ve decided to start chasing your dream career but don’t know where to start, we can help! At The Jonus Group, we offer numerous Career Services that can guide you through the transition of going from a job to a career.
With resume assistance, LinkedIn help, mock interviews, career coaching, and more, we can get you started on your career journey.
You can find more of our services and details on our services page here. If you would like to learn more, you can sign up for a free, 15-minute consultation with one of our certified career coaches here.