What makes a good career? Lessons from Robert Half's Good Job!

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What does it take to build a fulfilling career in today's job market? There's no single answer. For some professionals, it's finding more flexibility or new ways to use their skills. For others, it's pursuing work that aligns with their values or knowing when it's time to make a change.

In Good Job!, a new video series from Robert Half and Hanna Goefft of Hanna Gets Hired, career experts, entrepreneurs and professionals share their experiences navigating career decisions, overcoming setbacks and finding opportunities for growth.

Each conversation offers a different perspective on what makes a good job and practical advice for building a career that works for you.

Here are some of the career lessons from the series so far.

How to build a career that works for you: Lessons from Good Job!

How to build a portfolio career using the skills you already have
Thinking about quitting your job? Ask yourself these questions first
Turning a passion into a business takes more than enthusiasm
Finding meaningful work when your career path isn't linear
Find more career advice from Good Job!

How to build a portfolio career using the skills you already have

Could your existing skills and experience help you earn income in more than one way? A portfolio career offers an alternative to relying on a single full-time position, but building one takes planning, persistence and a willingness to adapt.

In the first episode of Good Job!, Hanna speaks with Anna Mackenzie, a U.K.-based startup advisor, mentor and author of Anna Mack's Stack, about her unconventional path to a six-figure portfolio career.

Anna describes her career journey as "ultra-squiggly," spanning consulting, mentoring, digital products, writing and education. Along the way, she's navigated setbacks, including a period when her business revenue dropped to zero.

Her experience highlights the opportunities and challenges of self-employment, including how to turn professional experience into services that clients are willing to pay for.

Two ideas to consider for your own career:

Identify skills you can offer in different ways. Think about the knowledge and experience you've developed throughout your career. Could those skills translate into consulting, freelance projects, teaching or other professional services? Start by identifying a specific problem you could help someone solve.

Build and test before making a major transition. Multiple income streams can offer flexibility, but they also require time to establish. Consider testing a service or taking on a small project before depending on it as a primary source of income.

Watch the full conversation with Anna Mackenzie: How to Build a 6-Figure Portfolio Career | Anna Mackenzie

Thinking about quitting your job? Ask yourself these questions first

When you're unhappy at work, finding a new job can feel like the obvious next step. But before starting your search, it's worth considering what you want to change and whether a different role will actually address it.

In episode two of Good Job!, Hanna speaks with Sho Dewan, CEO and founder of career coaching platform WorkCap, about making more intentional career decisions.

Sho encourages professionals to look beyond job titles and compensation to consider what makes a role fulfilling. His approach focuses on understanding the work you enjoy, recognizing your strengths and identifying opportunities that better match your priorities.

That distinction can be especially important in a competitive job market, when pressure to find a new position may lead you to pursue opportunities that aren't the right fit.

Two ideas to consider before making your next career move:

Define what you're looking for beyond a new job title. Consider the responsibilities you enjoy, the work environment where you perform best and the priorities that matter most to you. Knowing what you want can help you evaluate opportunities more effectively, whether you’re searching independently or working with a recruiter on a career change.

Assess whether a potential role addresses your reasons for leaving. If you're considering a change because of limited growth opportunities, for example, look closely at how a prospective employer supports career development. A new position may not be a better fit if it presents the same challenges.

Watch the full conversation with Sho Dewan: Don't Quit Before Asking Yourself These 3 Questions | Sho Dewan

Turning a passion into a business takes more than enthusiasm

Pursuing a career built around something you love can be rewarding, but passion alone doesn't guarantee business success. Developing a sustainable business also requires planning, understanding your audience and being willing to adjust your approach over time.

In episode three of Good Job!, Hanna speaks with Gaby Dalkin, founder of What's Gaby Cooking, cookbook author and chef, about the work behind building a successful food business.

Gaby began sharing recipes on Blogspot while attending culinary school and spent years working as a private chef before growing her brand. Her experience illustrates how a business can develop gradually through experimentation, relationship-building and identifying new opportunities.

She also discusses the importance of knowing when to say no, negotiating for better opportunities and developing multiple income streams.

Two ideas to consider if you're interested in entrepreneurship:

Test whether there's demand for your idea. Before leaving your current position, consider ways to build experience, find potential customers and determine whether people are willing to pay for what you offer. Starting small can help you refine your approach while limiting financial risk.

Look for opportunities to grow sustainably. Building a business doesn't mean pursuing every opportunity that comes along. Evaluate which projects support your long-term goals and where your time and expertise can deliver the most value.

Watch the full conversation with Gaby Dalkin: What Nobody Tells You About Being Your Own Boss | Gaby Dalkin

Finding meaningful work when your career path isn't linear

No one's career path is perfect. Your experience across different roles can help you identify what matters to you and what you can offer a new employer.

In episode four of Good Job!, Hanna speaks with Miki Reynolds, a startup ecosystem builder and investor who took a 50% pay cut to pursue work she cared about. Their conversation examines what it means to build a career around a mission that matters to you, without necessarily sacrificing long-term ambition or earning potential.

Miki shares how she turned a broad professional background into what she calls a "Swiss Army knife" skill set, and how one cold email opened the door to an entirely new career direction.

Two ideas to consider for your own career:

Look beyond job titles for a sense of purpose. Mission-driven work extends beyond nonprofits. Consider the problems you want to help solve and the organizations working on them, then look for roles where your skills could contribute.

Connect the dots in your experience. If your career has taken several turns, identify the transferable skills that link those roles. Explaining how those skills work together can help an employer understand the value of your background.

Watch the full conversation with Miki Reynolds: She Took a 50% Pay Cut to Do Work That Mattered | Miki Reynolds

Find more career advice from Good Job!

Subscribe to the channel

Whether you're considering a career change, exploring entrepreneurship or looking for greater fulfillment in your current role, the experiences shared in Good Job! offer different perspectives on navigating professional growth.

Watch the conversations and find more career advice by subscribing to the Robert Half YouTube channel.

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