I know that finding the right career path can be an overwhelming journey filled with doubts and uncertainties. The moment you step away from a fear-based mindset is the moment your life will change.
Here is how to find the right career.
Are you stuck in a rut and concerned about landing your ideal job? Of course, we all know that selecting the right career can be one of life’s most difficult tasks, but once completed, it can be an excellent method to bring meaning and happiness to your everyday tasks.
Considering your employment alternatives carefully can significantly impact your overall sense of achievement and satisfaction, whether you just completed university or viewing a work change. Whether serving your community, making a comfortable income, or exercising a specific skill set, your ideal job can help you achieve critical goals.
There are several approaches to finding a career you enjoy, and having your primary objectives in mind will help you limit your choices. Although everyone thinks it’s crucial to find a job you want and no one tells you how to accomplish it, fear not because, in this post, we’ll walk you through the process of finding your ideal dream job.
This post is all about how to find the right career.
A Guide to Finding Your Dream Career
It isn’t easy to get a career, especially your desired job. How do you decide what to pursue if you have a few ideas of what you’re interested in? Do you have enough experience at this stage to even attempt it? Or do you believe it’s too late to change careers? And to be honest, it is not too late or too early to pursue your dreams. Here are a few points to help you figure out what you want out of your job:
- Embrace your Passions & Talents
- Take career evaluations
- Conduct Informal Interviews
- Try out different occupations
- Identify what’s important to you
- Begin networking (VERY important)
- Consult a mentor
Embrace Your Passions & Talents
You know that feeling when your heart does a little happy dance? That’s what we’re aiming for here. So, take a moment and think about what really lights up your soul. Is it writing beautiful prose, doodling colorful masterpieces, lending a helping hand, or maybe getting all nerdy with numbers? Whatever it is, that’s the secret sauce to your dream career!
Don’t you just love it when you’re doing something you adore, and time flies by? That’s the magic of following your passions. So, embrace those passions like they’re your ride-or-die buddies because they’ll lead you to the career of your dreams.
Now, I get it; some people might say, “Follow your passion? That’s not realistic” But hey, I’m here to tell you that passion is like a compass pointing you to the path that feels right for you. When you genuinely love what you do, it shows, and it sets you up for success.
Think about it this way – your passions are like your own superpowers. They make you unique and bring out the best in you. So, why not harness those superpowers and use them to fuel your career journey?
Whether you’re a wordsmith, a creative spirit, a caring soul, or a math whiz, there’s a perfect profession out there that’ll be the peanut butter to your jelly. And guess what? When you’re doing something you love, work doesn’t feel like a drag; it’s like a thrilling adventure every day.
You see, passion is contagious. When you’re passionate about what you do, it inspires others around you. You become a force of positive energy, and that energy ripples through your work and touches the lives of others.
And here’s a little secret – even if you’re not sure where your passion lies right now, that’s okay! Life is all about exploring and discovering. Start trying new things TODAY, dive into exciting experiences, and see what sparks that little fire in your heart.
Take Career Evaluations
Remember when you were in school and were given career personality tests to determine what you should be when you grew up? It may have appeared funny at first, but job tests are an excellent method to cut through the clutter and discover your genuine abilities and characteristics.
Because our views and opinions are subjective and faulty, it might be challenging to figure out what we want to do with our lives. As a result, these exams can help you perceive yourself more objectively and make more informed job decisions.
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is one of the most popular personality assessments used worldwide. It categorizes individuals into sixteen distinct personality types based on four key dichotomies: extraversion (E) or introversion (I), sensing (S) or intuition (N), thinking (T) or feeling (F), and judging (J) or perceiving (P). Each personality type has its own set of characteristics, which can provide valuable insights into the careers that suit you best.
For instance, if you identify as an “ISTJ” (Introverted-Sensing-Thinking-Judging), you may excel in careers that require attention to detail, analytical thinking, and structured environments. This could lead you to careers in accounting, engineering, or project management.
On the other hand, if you’re an “ENFP” (Extraverted-Intuitive-Feeling-Perceiving), you might thrive in creative and people-oriented fields like marketing, counseling, or event planning. Your innovative and empathetic nature would make you an asset in roles that involve brainstorming ideas and connecting with others.
Another powerful assessment tool is StrengthsFinder, which identifies your top five strengths out of a pool of 34. This assessment focuses on what you naturally excel at and highlights your innate talents. Embracing your strengths can open doors to careers where you can truly shine and make a significant impact.
For example, if your top strength is “Communication,” you might excel in careers that involve public speaking, writing, or sales. If “Strategic Thinking” is one of your dominant strengths, you could be a great fit for roles that require problem-solving, such as business analysis or consulting.
Moreover, combining the insights from different assessments can provide a more comprehensive understanding of your personality and career preferences. These assessments are not strict career roadmaps, but they serve as valuable compasses, pointing you in the direction of careers that align with your natural inclinations.
Remember, these assessments are tools to help you gain self-awareness, but they are not definitive answers. They are meant to be used as a starting point for exploration, giving you ideas about potential career paths you might not have considered before.
In addition to the MBTI and StrengthsFinder, there are various other career assessments available, each with its unique approach to understanding your aptitudes and interests. Some may focus on specific industries, while others may assess your problem-solving or leadership abilities.
Ultimately, the goal is to use these assessments to build a clearer picture of yourself and your dream career. Armed with this knowledge, you can confidently explore career options, seeking roles that resonate with your authentic self.
Conduct Informational Interviews
Let me tell you, informational interviews are like having your own secret weapon in the career world! You get to chat with real pros who are already living your dream job, and they spill all the beans about what it’s really like.
So, when you’re thinking about your dream career, don’t be shy to reach out to these cool people. Just shoot them a message, ask if you can pick their brain over a coffee (or a virtual coffee, no pressure!). Trust me, most folks love to share their experiences and help out newbies like us.
During the chat, don’t hold back! Ask them all the juicy details about their day-to-day tasks, the ups, the downs, and everything in between. It’s like getting an inside scoop on the secret sauce of their profession. You’ll learn what makes it tick and what challenges they face – the good, the bad, and the not-so-glamorous.
Plus, not only will you get a sneak peek into the real deal, but you’ll also build some awesome connections. Networking is the name of the game, and who knows, these connections might open doors to your future dream job!
Now, I get it. Talking to pros might feel a bit nerve-wracking at first. But hey, we’ve got this! Just be respectful of their time, keep it chill, and be genuinely interested in what they have to say.
Here are some super casual questions you can throw their way:
- So, spill the beans! What made you decide on this wicked career path, and how’d you get started?
- What’s a typical day in the life of a [insert their dream job] like? Is it as awesome as it sounds?
- I wanna hear the juicy stuff! What’s the most exciting part of your gig?
- But, let’s be real, every job has its challenges. What are the not-so-glamorous parts you face?
- Work-life balance, my friend! How do you handle that in your line of work?
- What kind of skills and awesomeness do you think are essential to nail this job?
- Last but not least, what kind of education or training do you need to rock this career?
After each chat, take some time to mull it over. Reflect on all the cool insights you’ve gathered. You’ll find that some paths may excite you more than others, and that’s totally cool! It’s all about figuring out what clicks with your passions and what feels like the right fit.
Try out different occupations
A work trial is when an employer gives a potential employee a chance to work before committing to a contract. Employers can learn more about possible employees and handle their obligations. Job trials are an excellent method to rule out job possibilities that seem good on the surface but aren’t sustainable in the long run.
When you obtain a new job, you may be on probation for a few months, so why not put the positions themselves on probation to see if you enjoy them? If the firms and companies you approach don’t have the funds to hire you temporarily, consider work shadowing, volunteering, or a short internship!
Identify What's Important To You
It’s not just about the career type; your serenity comes first. It’s all about you and your well-being, which is why you only have to think about yourself. Focus on your talents and expertise, but also think beyond the box. Make a list of what matters most to you in a career, personally and professionally.
Look into it. In a job, various people look for different things. Some people seek advancement in their careers or more pay. Others seek opportunities to express their creativity, while others place a premium on work-life balance.
Finding your ideal landing spot requires determining what is most important to you and then determining your career values.
Begin Networking
Even if you’re actively looking for a new job or simply trying to figure out what career route you should take, networking is a terrific way to get your feet wet. According to studies, networking is responsible for 85 percent of all job openings.
If you don’t have a Linkedin Profile open yet, today is the day you work on that. Linkedin is a great way to network and stay connected to people who may be able to help you now or in the future. Meeting people who work in the areas you’re interested in could be one of the most critical milestones in your career. The more individuals you encounter from all walks of life, the broader your portfolio of opportunities and insights will become.
Finally, simply talking to people might help you determine whether or not a professional route is suited for you. And make sure to connect with me on LinkedIn (I’m a recruiter by day and spend most of my time networking!) so I might be able to help you or connect you to the right person.
Consult a Mentor
It might be challenging to find the ideal career on your own, let alone leap, because there is frequently a concern of upsetting the status quo where you presently work. However, to thrive in your new career, you should learn from the finest. Mentors can help with this.
Working with mentors is acknowledged by 80 percent of CEOs as a critical factor in their success. You can work with a variety of mentors, both paid and unpaid. You’ll get unequaled coaching and a boost in your career if you choose the proper mentor.
All of these things provide you with the ability to find your ideal professional path. Based on what you’re looking for, it may not always be easy to strike the bulls-eyeshot the best shot on the first try.
But bear in mind that transparency and concentration allow you to stay focused on your dream. Continue to be persistent and go after what you want this way; you can live a life filled with fulfillment and relevance due to your desired career choice.
