5 Practical Steps to Find What Career You Want
The answer is waiting for you.
Do you find yourself uttering the words, “I don’t know what career I want,” or are you struggling to figure out your ideal career? You are not alone. Many people, at various stages of their lives, grapple with defining their career paths.
Fortunately, by asking yourself key questions and following a few practical steps, you can gain clarity and find the career that suits your abilities, values, and aspirations.
Start by Asking Yourself a Few Key Questions
Self-reflection is the first and most crucial step in identifying your desired career. The better you know yourself - your strengths, passions, and values - the more likely you'll find a career that aligns with these characteristics.
Explore a List of Career-Focused Questions
To begin your self-reflection process, consider asking yourself some insightful questions. You can start with the list below from SalaryFox, which contains well-curated questions to uncover your career interests. These questions cover various aspects, including your talents, values, work preferences, and long-term goals.
Nori Chun
For instance, you may be asked to reflect on what you genuinely love doing, what people commend you for, or what you would gladly do without pay. Other questions might probe deeper into your values and vision for your future.
While some questions may seem simple, they can provide profound insights when you delve deep into your responses. Remember, this exercise isn't about providing immediate answers but facilitating a self-exploration journey that nudges you closer to your ideal career.
It is also essential to remember that people often have multiple interests and talents, and it's completely okay not to limit yourself to one specific path. As you explore these questions, you may identify several potential career avenues. What's important is to identify the intersection of your skills, passions, and the market's needs – this sweet spot is often where your ideal career lies.
Engage in a Discussion with Someone Who Knows You Well
Once you have your responses to these questions, consider discussing them with a friend or family member who knows you well. This additional perspective can be beneficial in validating your self-perceptions and illuminating aspects you may have overlooked.
Remember to choose someone you trust and who will likely give honest feedback. This person can help you analyze your answers, identify patterns, and provide objective insights. They might even suggest careers you have yet to consider based on their understanding of your strengths and interests.
Similarly, career mentors or advisors can provide invaluable advice and guidance based on their industry knowledge and experiences. Consider contacting individuals in your network or your school or university's career services for this support.
Remember that this is not a one-time event but a continual process of self-discovery. Regularly revisiting these questions and discussing your thoughts with someone else can help you stay aligned with your evolving career interests and goals. This continual self-reflection forms the foundation of your journey towards finding your desired career.
Take Career Assessments to Narrow Your Options
Choosing a career path can be overwhelming, considering the array of options available. Sometimes, the sheer possibility of what you can do can make it difficult to choose one path. To help narrow down your options, consider taking a career aptitude test.
Using Career Aptitude Tests
Career aptitude tests can be instrumental in identifying career options that align with your personality, values, and skills. These tests use a range of questions to assess your preferences, skills, and strengths and match these traits with suitable career paths.
The results can help you uncover jobs you may have not considered but are a good fit for your personality type. They can also validate your thoughts about what careers are a good fit, providing a basis for further research and consideration.
It's also worth noting that these assessments should be taken as guidance rather than a definitive answer. It's possible to score highly for a particular career that you might not be interested in, and conversely, you might find a low score in an area you are passionate about.
Trust Your Gut
While these tests provide valuable insights, listening to intuition is equally crucial. Does a suggested career resonate with you? Does it evoke excitement, curiosity, or a sense of alignment? Remember, career aptitude tests are tools to guide you, but your feelings about a particular career path are equally important.
After all, a satisfying career is not just about finding a job that matches your skills and personality. It's also about finding work that aligns with your values, fulfills your purpose, and brings you joy and satisfaction.
Expose Your Mind to New Career Paths
According to Marian Edelman, "You can't be what you can't see." This saying rings true in the context of careers. Maybe you haven't found your perfect career simply because you didn't know it existed!
Explore Various Careers Through Podcasts
One effective way to broaden your career horizons is by tuning into career-oriented podcasts. These podcasts offer a wealth of information about different career paths.
They introduce you to new voices, opportunities, and ways of thinking. By sharing experiences and insights from diverse professionals across various fields, these podcasts can illuminate lesser-known careers, reveal the realities of different roles, and inspire you with stories of success and transformation.
Keep your mind open as you listen. You might find a career that truly resonates with your aspirations and interests – one you might not have discovered otherwise. Remember, exploring is an integral part of finding the career you want.
Besides podcasts, consider other resources like books, articles, and online career forums to broaden your understanding of various career paths. Participating in industry-specific webinars and events can also provide valuable insights and networking opportunities.
Test the Waters with Short-Term Work
Once you have a few career paths you want to explore, it's time to get your feet wet.
Short-Term Engagements
Start by committing to short-term engagements like internships, volunteering, or job shadowing. These opportunities allow you to gain first-hand experience in your potential career paths. For instance, internships provide real-world experience in a specific industry, offering a sneak peek into your prospective job's daily operations and responsibilities.
Similarly, volunteering can offer enriching experiences while allowing you to contribute to a cause you care about. You can also consider job shadowing a professional in your area of interest. This will give you a front-row seat to the realities of the job, helping you understand if the role aligns with your expectations.
Learning Hands-On
These "mini-commitments" are effective ways to learn hands-on and see if you want to continue down a particular path. By putting theory into practice, you will better understand your suitability for and interest in the role.
These experiences can provide valuable networking opportunities. The professionals you meet during your internships or volunteering stints can offer insights about the industry, advice on navigating your career path, and job opportunities in the future.
Partner with a Career Coach
Finding the right career can be a daunting task. However, you don't have to do it alone. Partnering with a career coach can make the journey smoother and more productive.
Identifying Short and Long-Term Goals
A career coach can help you identify your short and long-term goals. They can assist you in setting strategic, achievable career goals and outline the steps you need to take to achieve them.
Finding a Career Coach
There are several resources available to help you find a career coach. One is Noomii, which provides a platform to connect with career coaches that meet your unique needs.
Working with a coach can give you the tools, knowledge, and confidence to make informed decisions about your career. They can offer insights and guidance based on their expertise, experience, and understanding of the job market.
A career coach can also provide accountability, helping you stay focused and motivated in your career exploration and decision-making process. They can challenge you to think deeper, encourage you to step out of your comfort zone, and celebrate with you when you progress toward your career goals.
Being Patient with the Process
Finally, remember that finding the right career is a process that takes time. It involves self-reflection, exploration, and experimentation. It's important to be patient and give yourself the grace to learn, grow, and change direction when necessary.
Your journey to finding the right career is just that – a journey. Enjoy the process, learn from your experiences, and progress towards your goal.
Ultimately, the goal is not to find a perfect career - for it might not exist - but to find a career that you can grow and evolve with, that challenges you, and, most importantly, that you find meaningful and fulfilling.
Remember that changing paths is possible if your chosen career doesn't provide the satisfaction or growth you desire. The experiences and skills you gather will only contribute to your journey, offering you more clarity about your career aspirations.