There is nothing wrong with taking some time to find yourself and that can oftentimes include trying out a few different careers. However, no one wants to feel like a failure after starting and quitting a few jobs. Most of us would like to get it right on the first go.
That being said, we are typically asked to pick a career that we will be doing for the rest of our lives at a relatively young age and we don’t always know how to make the right decision. This is a process that can take plenty of time, sometimes years, so don’t feel like you have to rush. That being said, no matter your age, there are several things you need to keep in mind when choosing a career path for yourself. Read on to learn more.
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Perform an assessment of yourself
The first thing you should do before you make any decisions performs a self-assessment. This is a great time for some self-reflection and learning more about yourself. Think about what interests you, as you’ve surely heard the saying that you will never work a day in your life if you do something you love. So, whether it’s working with kids, animals, or numbers or doing something a bit more creative like home design and designing clothes, take into account your affinities. Moreover, besides the things that you find interesting, you should also think about what kind of work environment you would like. Do you want to work on your own, in a small team, or in a large office? How willing are you to travel for your job? Something else you need to consider is the skills you possess. Can you already do the jobs you’re interested in or would you need further education? Put all of these things on paper so that you could make your decision more easily.
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Make a list of must-haves
While doing something you find interesting is important, you also want to cover other things as well. So, identify some must-haves that you expect from your career. For instance, how big of a salary do you need to cover all your expenses? Then, do you care about shifts and how much free time you will have? Are there certain tasks that you do not want to perform? All of these should factor into your decision seeing as how you shouldn’t opt for freelance work if you need a steady paycheck or for a job with strict work hours if you prefer organizing your own hours.
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Come up with a list of occupations
Once you’ve made lists of your interests and requirements, it’s time to see which occupations actually match them. So, for instance, if you want to work with kids, think about a job in a kindergarten, school, daycare, and so on. If you want an IT job, look for opportunities where you can use your skills in this sector. In case you’re not sure how to do this, you can look online through job descriptions or reach out to local counsellors to familiarize yourself with everything that’s out there.
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Explore the market
Having looked at all the possibilities, you’ve surely narrowed down your options to a few dozen. Now it’s time to look into each job a bit more. Read up on what is required, what the median salary is, what hours you’re expected to keep if you can work from home if you’d be better off opening your own company, what kind of license you need to obtain, what other education you might need, and so on. By looking into each potential job, you’ll be able to further eliminate those you don’t care about.
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See if you notice any overlap
After doing some research, you will see that there is plenty of overlap when it comes to what you’re good at doing, what you’d like to do, and what companies require. That means that there will probably be at least a few options for you to consider. For example, if you’re interested in working with animals, you might find a job that doesn’t require a college degree, and all you’d have to do is get a certificate for grooming or training. No matter the line of work you choose, there will surely be something that suits you.
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Familiarize yourself with potential employers
When you find a position you like, it’s time to do some research to see whether there are any companies that offer that kind of job in your area. Learn more about each employer and what working for them entails. You can investigate their reputation online to see how they treat their employees, what sorts of benefits you can expect, and if working for them would actually be good for you. However, you don’t have to keep it local as there is a wide variety of jobs that you can also do online, for a company that operates in a foreign country. Companies are always looking for top talent regardless of where they are located, so you might be able to find something interesting over the internet as well.
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Find job ads you can apply for
Now that you’re a bit more familiar with what you can opt for, it’s time to actually browse the job boards and decide what you would like to apply for. Check what specific employers require and make sure you have the necessary skills and/or experience before you send in your resume. That being said, many companies also don’t require any experience and are willing to provide training on the job, which might be something that interests you. On the other hand, if you’re not sure if you can handle every aspect of a job search, you can also look for a reliable recruitment agency that will match you with employers that are looking for someone with your skills, experience, and interests. That way, you will not have to go through every single job posting to see if it suits you.
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Work on yourself
In case you notice that the jobs you’re interested in require a bit more education or experience, it’s time to dedicate some time to your training. For example, you might be able to go to school to get the degrees you need or join a course that you will leave with a certain certificate. Moreover, you can also look for intern and volunteering opportunities that will provide you with some experience in the field and help you get noticed by employers. Constantly working on yourself and trying to learn and grow every day is a great way to not only find the job of your dreams but also work on your confidence.
Choosing the right career for yourself doesn’t always work on the first try. However, it’s important that you are persistent and keep trying different alternatives until you find what’s right for you. Keep these steps in mind for great results.
