Choosing a career is one of the most daunting decisions you will ever make and it is more than likely that you won’t get it right first try. Unless you studied medicine or law, most degrees don’t have an obvious career attached to them. If you studied languages, business, maths etc. there are all kinds of different options awaiting you. So, how are you supposed to go about making this incredibly important decision? Well, here are our four top tips to help you on your way to choosing the right career.
Know What You Like
The thing about a career is that you have to do it for a very long time. This being the case, the most important thing is that you enjoy your work. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you are going to go to sleep each night eagerly awaiting the morning so you can get back to the office. If that’s you life then congratulations, you hit the career jackpot. Enjoying your work means that overall you feel a sense of fulfilment or satisfaction from the job you are doing. So, make a list of everything you like and are passionate about. It could be anything: reading, football, food, children etc. and then try and work out what jobs you could do that would include, in some way, one of these things. Be thorough with this and you might stumble across a dream career that you didn’t even know existed.
Know What You’re Good At
I love playing football but I know for a fact that I am terrible at it. Liking something doesn’t always mean you are good at it or would make a good professional in this area. Once you’ve worked out what you like, you then need to figure out where your strengths lie. Having a job in a field you love won’t be that amazing if you are rubbish at it. You will end up stressed and miserable and will probably end up hating this thing that you loved so much, to begin with. Are your fortes with numbers or words? Are you good at planning things? Are you better at working hands-on or behind the scenes? Discover your strengths and you’ll be one step closer to a dream career.
Set Yourself Goals
Choosing a career that is in line with your future goals is really important. If you have dreams of owning your own house and going on fancy holidays then you need to choose a career that will allow you to earn a significant amount of money. Look at possible career development options available within the company you are applying to work for. Will you be able to easily move up or are you likely to be stuck in your position? Assessing these things will help you make the right career choice.
Assess Your Personal Needs
Most people spend 5 out of every 7 days in the same office with the same people so being happy in this situation is vital. Do you love being around people? If so then choosing a career that allows you to work in an office full of people and interact with them is ideal. If you want to be able to travel with your job then look for a career where this is possible. Alternatively, if you have kids or need to stay in one place for whatever reason then choosing a career that won’t send you out of town every few weeks is important. Assess your personality and personal situation to help you make the right career choice.
