How To Choose the Career Path That's Right for You

When asked what matters most to them, most people say their loved ones, their health, and their careers. One of the most consequential choices you may make is the occupation you pursue.

In this post, we'll go over some tips for deciding on a profession, and then lay out a seven-step plan for getting your career off the ground.

How to choose a career in 7 steps

To get started on picking a profession, you can do the following:

Try to evaluate yourself.

• Check off the things that are absolutely necessary.
• Create a list of potential occupations.
• Look into potential careers and companies.
• Upgrade your skillset and resume accordingly.
• Look for employment opportunities and submit your resume.
• Maintain your development and education.

Depending on how much time and effort you're willing to put into exploring your options, deciding on a career path can take weeks, months, or even years. Keep in mind that you may have the opportunity to change your job route more than once in your lifetime, making the capacity to do so a highly marketable skill.

1. Perform a self-assessment

It's wise to assess one's own values and priorities before making a major choice. The same holds true when picking a profession. Step one involves taking stock of your ideal working conditions, favorite tasks, ideal coworkers, and more.

Identify your must-haves

Next, carefully consider what you absolutely require from a potential employer. Compensation, benefits, and even physical location can all play a role. When writing down the career-related things you simply can't budge on, you might find it useful to refer back to the questions and answers you originally filled out.

• Do you have to make a particular amount of money?
• Do you have specific needs, such as medical insurance or vacation days?
• Is it possible for you to accept a career that requires frequent travel?
• Do you have a preference for where you put in your time?
• Need some leeway in your schedule if you telecommute?
• Is there a required degree or work title?
• Do you have to or rather not do some things?
• Is there a specific type of workplace in which you struggle to perform?

Knowing what you want out of a job in advance will help you get it. Freelancing could be a bad option if you need a steady income, for instance. Once you know what you can't live without, you can start eliminating potential careers in your search.

Make a list of jobs to explore

Once you have a better idea of who you are and what you're searching for in a work, you can begin exploring potential opportunities. Put down on paper any occupation about which you know little and want to learn more later. A rewarding profession could be waiting for you.

Keep in mind that titles may or may not accurately describe your role. The job description may be an excellent fit for you, even if the title doesn't sound appealing. Here are some things to think about as you begin your to-do list:

Use your network.

Make connections. Do you have any acquaintances or coworkers who have intriguing jobs? Take advantage of the people you already know by asking them about the kinds of employment they do and the kinds of work they believe you could enjoy doing.

Find interesting industries.

Look for exciting fields. Do you have your eye on a specific field of work? Do you have an inclination toward a specific field, such as art, fashion, business, or teaching? Think of people you know who have interesting or appealing careers.

Identify things you enjoy doing.

Figure out what it is that you truly enjoy. Is there anything you can do to pass the time quickly? Creating presentations, structuring databases, and collaborating with others all fall under this category. If you find that you take pleasure in creating slideshow presentations, for instance, jot down potential jobs in this field.

List your goals and values.

Make a written statement of your principles and aspirations. Think about your ideal two-, five-, and ten-year future selves. Is there a specific rank or accomplishment you have in mind? Do you aspire to live in a particular area or adopt a particular way of life? Doing some forward planning might help you zero in on careers that are a good fit for the long haul.

Research and narrow down your list

Start investigating each job that piques your interest to narrow down your list of viable career options. The objective is to zero in on a couple of promising professions. The following are some suggestions for organizing your investigation:

“Day in the life.

Literal translation of the phrase "day in the life." Investigating the typical working conditions of potential careers might help you decide if they are right for you. Exploring potential lines of work is one method to learn about careers in greater depth. Learn about typical job duties and job descriptions. Another option is to ask if you can shadow people who work at places that are on your shortlist.

Salary. 

Salary. Whether or not you have a fixed budget, it can't hurt to research the going rate for the positions you're interested in. The Salary Trends tool provides insight into the fluctuating pay for many occupations across the globe. Simply type in a job title to view the typical income range for that position across multiple cities and employers.

Job requirements. 

Skills needed for the position. Know what licenses, diplomas, and courses of study are expected of you before settling on a profession. To eliminate occupations that aren't a good fit, you may determine that you don't meet certain criteria.

Skills needed for the position. Know what licenses, diplomas, and courses of study are expected of you before settling on a profession. To eliminate occupations that aren't a good fit, you may determine that you don't meet certain criteria.

Growth opportunities.

Possibilities for expansion. Finding out if your desired profession offers room for advancement is crucial. What this means is that opportunities to learn new things and take on greater responsibilities as your career progresses will be readily available to you. Learn what is expected of you in the workplace by reading the posting thoroughly.

Get training and update your resume

After deciding on one or two potential professions, you should consider whether or not you need extra education or certification. Some companies are happy to train new hires on the job, but most prefer to find people who already have the skills they need. Read the posting thoroughly to find out everything you need to know about the position. Carefully read the parts titled "Requirements" and "Education and Experience."

After deciding that this line of work is right for you, revise your CV to emphasize your strongest qualifications. Examining job advertisements might help you learn more about the qualifications valued by prospective employers.