20 Tips for Choosing the Right Career
It is wonderful how many choices both men and women have today in terms of selecting a career path. However, the vast array of choices can also make it tough to make a decision!
Here are 20 tips that can help you to choose the right career:
1. Ask yourself what you are passionate about. If you can turn your passion into a career then you have a satisfying work life ahead of you.
2. Ask yourself what you think needs to be changed in the world. Sometimes it’s tough to figure out what you are truly passionate about. It may be easier to identify where you would like to see change in the world. Then you can choose a career through which you can help create that change.
3. Consider what you are good at. Honestly assess what tasks you excel at. Choosing a career that utilizes those skills is a smart idea since you will naturally be successful in the work.
4. Ask yourself what you would like to be the best at. One great tip is to ask yourself what you would like to be better at than anyone else. This is something that you’d be driven to do well at in your career.
5. Take a career test. There are many tests out there to help you choose the right career. Although they may not provide an exact answer, they can be a useful tool for narrowing down your options and seeing what might work best for you.
6. Speak to a career counselor. These people are available to assist you in figuring out what career options are realistic for you.
7. Consider going to therapy. Many times the reason that you’re stuck when choosing a career is related to unresolved issues from your past. Work with a therapist to unblock yourself and select the career that is truly in line with your heart’s desires.
8. Brainstorm a list of careers you may enjoy. Go through the list and prioritize them. Take the first three and do further research into them to choose the career path that seems right for you.
9. Shadow people in various careers. It can be tough to choose a career based only on theory or academic interest. Shadow people at their jobs, interviewing them about the nature of the work. This gives you a realistic picture of what the career will be like so you can get a sense of whether or not it’s right for you.
10. Attend career talks and lectures. Learn firsthand what people are doing in different careers. Ask questions about the experience. This information is invaluable when making a decision.
11. Ask your friends, family, teachers and employers what they think would be a good career for you. A third party perspective can be very helpful. Make sure that you take what they say with a grain of salt and make the final decision yourself but use their advice to explore options you may not have considered yourself.
12. Ask yourself if there are any volunteer activities or classes you’ve really enjoyed in the past. Can these be turned into a career plan?
13. Reflect on the difference between a career and a job. A career is a lifelong plan that isn’t limited to working for a specific company or in a specific position. Sometimes people make the mistake of choosing just a job that sounds good and thinking that’s a good career plan. Choose a career path first then find a job in the industry that is relevant to your career ideals.
14. Review the educational requirements for your career. Some people think a career path sounds great but then see how much schooling is required and change their minds. Do your research to choose a career that will be realistic for you.
15. Consider the leading “hot careers”. There are a vast array of different job opportunities within these careers so if you’re completely stuck for a path to choose then consider these.
16. Think about the financial aspect. Many people try to choose a career based solely on their personal interests. If that can’t support you financially then you may end up disillusioned with your decision. Ask yourself honestly how much money you need to make annually and find a career that meets that need and satisfies your personal interests as well.
17. Consider the non-financial perks as well. What great perks would you love to have from your career? Would you prefer a flexible schedule or the ability to work from home? Do you want a job that allows you to travel the world? Identifying these perks can help narrow down your options so that you can choose the right career path.
18. Explore what you’ve loved and hated about past jobs. This will help you to identify what you are truly seeking a career.
19. Remember that you can always change your mind. This is an important decision and you should give it a lot of thought but it’s not a permanent decision. Be willing to take some risks.
20. Trust your gut. Your head may not know what you want to do but your heart probably does!