A 6-step Guide to Choosing the Right Career
A considerable number of people question their career choice regularly. This can hold true even after they have changed their paths mid-education or have worked in a profession for a few years. That said, it can be challenging to come to terms with your chosen career path not being the right choice, but finally, understanding what works can be just as satisfying. You merely need time, effort, and some hard questions answered.
A six step guide to choosing the right career
Assess the career
Career assessment exams might have seemed a silly practice back in high school, but they are more helpful than we imagined at the time. Finding out the right career trajectory can, in fact, be a great tool for success in your arsenal. Assessment tools especially benefit people that have no idea about where they fit in or aren’t sure about their choice. Use the career assessment result as a starting point for self-reflection and filter the list of results to the ones that you deem fit. But, before you do so, make sure that the tool you are investing in is reliable and offers consistent results.
List down the options
Choosing from the available options can be an overwhelming experience. Even more difficult is the task of narrowing down the options. One tried and tested method is listing the ones you think are right for you. Once you have the list in hand, filter out the ones you think are not tangible career opportunities. After you have narrowed down your options and found the right career paths that combine your dreams and goals, the next big step is to find out the best route.
Check if there are any overlaps
Before you jump headfirst into a career stream, check if there are any commonalities. Compare things like the company’s needs, your skills, and whether you like the work. The right career path lies somewhere in the middle of where these factors overlap. The comparison will actively help you in seeking out and entering the right career path for you. If you have previous work experience, you can draw conclusions from your experience about which parts of your job you liked or disliked.
Build a network
Whether your career hunt is in its active stage or passive, building a network is a great way of staying in the know. Communicating with people from the workforce you might someday be a part of helps you get a sense of what the working world is like. You can talk to people about what they like or dislike about their job. Alternatively, networking can also get you greater opportunities.
Ask coaches
Career coaches or counselors are trained people who can help you find the right career path. They can help pick your brain and find the right choice for you. All you have to do is ask them for the necessary help. The professionals have access to many resources and a strong network that can come in handy for you. These aids could help you find out information and opportunities you might not be able to if you were on your own. If you are a college student just starting on the career path, you can take complete advantage of your college career center.
Interview people
The Internet might not be able to provide you with the clarity and depth of answers you are looking for. This can get tiring soon and potentially leave you feeling lost and burnt out even before starting off on a career path. To save yourself from the mixed opinions that you aren’t even sure are true, you can interview people. Speaking to people working in the companies and streams you are looking forward to applying to can help you adjust your expectations. Plus, the people you speak to can help mentor you or give you some tips that can lead you to success. You might find that the path you are currently on is not as bad as you imagine it to be.