Should You Make a Job Instead of Getting One in 2026?

[VanHadley]

I’ve seen this phrase pop up a lot, and honestly, I think it’s a powerful mindset shift. For me, the idea that you should “make a job” instead of just “getting a job” is about taking control of your career path rather than waiting for an opportunity to be handed to you. In my experience, people who actively create their own roles—whether by proposing a new position within their current company, starting a side project that turns into a full-time gig, or freelancing their way into a specialty—end up with more satisfaction and better long-term stability.

The key here is to build a career around your unique value, not just the requirements of an open requisition. I’ve worked with dozens of professionals who felt stuck in the traditional job search cycle. Instead of sending out hundreds of applications, they started identifying gaps in their industry and offering solutions. For example, one person I know noticed her company’s customer onboarding process was chaotic. She designed a streamlined workflow, presented it to leadership, and essentially created a new Customer Success Manager role for herself. That’s making a job.

If you’re considering this approach, focus on three pillars: your transferable skills, market demand, and your network. Don’t just look at job boards. Look at problems. Where are companies struggling? What tasks are falling through the cracks? That’s where you can step in. I’ve also seen data showing that candidates who proactively create roles report a 35% higher retention rate in their first year compared to those who fill existing positions. That’s because they’ve already proven their value before they even start.

Approach	Traditional Job Search	Making a Job
Primary Action	Applying to open roles	Identifying unmet needs
Risk Level	Low (but passive)	Moderate (requires initiative)
Potential Reward	Stable, predictable role	Higher autonomy and impact
Typical Time to Offer	3–6 months	1–3 months (if focused)

Ultimately, it’s about shifting from a job seeker mindset to a value creator mindset. You don’t have to start a massive business. You can start small—pitch a project, solve a pain point, and build your role from there.

[FinnRose]

For me, this is the only way I’ve ever worked. I never liked the idea of waiting for someone to pick me. So instead, I spent my early twenties building a portfolio of small projects and cold emailing startups with ideas for how I could help them. I didn’t ask for a job. I asked for a 30-day trial to prove my value. Nine times out of ten, they said yes, and I ended up staying for years. It’s not about being pushy. It’s about being solution-oriented and showing people what you can do before they even ask.

[DiEmerson]

I think this advice is especially relevant for mid-career professionals who feel boxed in by their current job titles. I’ve been there. Instead of trying to jump into another similar role, I started documenting the inefficiencies I saw every day at work. I built a simple proposal, shared it with my manager, and asked if I could lead a pilot project to fix it. That pilot turned into a permanent role. The trick is to frame your idea as a business case, not a complaint. Show the ROI, and you’ll be surprised how often they say yes.

[Gray]

I’m a huge fan of “making a job” because it forces you to get creative. I did it by turning my side hustle into my main income source. I was doing freelance graphic design at night while working a boring 9-to-5. After a year, I had enough clients to quit. The key? I didn’t wait for clients to find me. I reached out to local businesses whose branding was outdated and offered a free mockup. That initial investment of time paid off. Now I work on my own terms. Initiative beats waiting every time.

[Frederick]

From a career development standpoint, I’ve seen this work best when people combine their existing expertise with emerging trends. For example, if you’re a recruiter who understands AI, you could propose a new role focused on AI-driven candidate sourcing within your company. That’s making a job. I always tell people to look at the next 12 months in their industry. What skills will be in demand? What problems are coming? If you can position yourself as the solution to an upcoming challenge, you’re not just getting a job—you’re creating a niche that makes you indispensable.