Finding a 9-5 that doesn't suck

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TOPIC
Getting a 9-5 that doesn’t suck

🔵 If I told you I loved my 9-5, would you believe me?

Probably not - and I don’t blame you. I mean, have you seen the average 9-5?

The hour-long commutes, boring office cubicles, mindless tasks, and overtime - only to do it all again the next day.

It’s no wonder people are in a hurry to escape it.

But hold on, don’t start dreading the workforce just yet—I have good news.

There is an escape, and I’m not talking about quitting.

I’m talking about finding a better job that gives you freedom of time and location without sacrificing the pay.

Yes they exist, and I would know because I’m lucky to be in one.

Today, I’ll share how I got a 9-5 that doesn’t feel like one and how you can follow the path I did.

A 9-5 that doesn’t feel like one

First, let me paint you a picture of my 9-5.

• My hours are flexible, most days, I end at 4 or 3 pm.

• I get to work from home 4 out of 5 days.

• When I am in the office, it’s usually for a social event.

• My office has a game room with a PS5 and Nintendo.

• I play ping pong with my manager during our 1:1s.

If you had to think of a typical 9-5, would the points above pop into your head?

I don’t say this to brag, rather, I want to let you know that a job like this is very much within your reach.

You have to know where to look is all.

How to find an amazing 9-5

Part of finding a job I loved was a process of trial and error.

1. Identify your non-negotiables.

   • For me, it was freedom of location. I wanted a job that HAD to have remote options.

   • Think about what you need. Is it remote work? High pay? A strong sense of purpose?

2. Learn what’s out there.

   • I spent hours researching industries and roles aligned with my skills and interests.

   • Tech and strategy roles stood out because of their reputation for flexibility and great pay.

3. Network, network, network.

   • Every job I’ve loved came from networking, not job boards.

   • I reached out to people on LinkedIn, attended events, and joined communities in the fields I was exploring.

4. Start somewhere and adjust.

   • I started by having to commute downtown every day. My first few roles weren’t perfect.

   • But they helped me gain clarity on what I truly wanted. Over time, I refined my career path to land a job that felt just right.

Is tech & strategy right for you?

If you haven’t already guessed it, I believe the majority of these great 9-5s lie in tech and strategy.

What is tech & strategy? Think of jobs like:

• product management

• project management

• digital transformation

• software development

• UX design

• business analyst

• cybersecurity

These fields offer competitive salaries, work-life balance, and growth opportunities—all while being less stressful than traditional corporate roles.

Since you’re here, I’m guessing this world already interests you. If not, I’d recommend exploring these roles further.

Here are some great sites to explore for job opportunities in tech and strategy:

• LinkedIn: Perfect for networking and finding roles tailored to your connections and interests.

• AngelList: Ideal for finding startup roles in tech and strategy.

• Hired: Matches your skills to roles in top companies.

• Built In: Focused on tech jobs in growing startup ecosystems.

• Remote.co: Perfect for remote tech roles if location flexibility is a priority.

Your next steps:

Start your search this week, explore these sites, and don’t forget to tap into your network—you’d be surprised how many opportunities arise through referrals.

See you next Tuesday 🤝

-Michael Ly

P.S. miss last week’s email? Read 5 most viewed articles of 2024 

THIS WEEK’S NEWS
Running the web

🛬 A plane crash in South Korea takes the lives of 179 people

🍁 Justin Trudeau resigns as Prime Minister of Canada

🗽 Trump continues to push for Canada to become the 51st state

MOTIVATION
LinkedIn post of the week

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