While some people are lucky enough to have found their passion at a young age, others might need a little more direction when selecting a profession.
If you are unsure about the best career path to venture down, you might be scared of making the wrong decision, especially as you will have thousands of occupations to choose from.
It is, therefore, crucial to select a profession that complements your personality, passion, values, and skills.
While no-one can choose a career on your behalf, a few tips might be all you need to discover an exciting occupation. Read the below advice on how to pick the right career for you.
Take a Career Test
As mentioned, it is vital to consider your passions, interests, values, and hard and soft skills when selecting an occupation. It will also have to be a perfect fit for your personality type.
If you are unsure about the type of role that complements your needs, consider taking a career test.
It is designed to gather various data regarding your personality, before recommending a variety of occupations that could be an ideal fit for you.
If you don’t like what you find, consider discussing your options with a career counselor, who could help to point you in the right direction and will offer advice on how to pursue an occupation.
Identify Your Strongest Skills and Interests
It is also worth considering what strong skills and interests you currently possess to identify a potential career.
For example, if you love working with your hands and are good at DIY, you might enjoy the following rewarding, stable roles:
- Construction
- Carpentry
- Auto Repair
- Plumbing
- Electrical work
However, if you enjoy cooking, you could turn your much-loved hobby into a career as a chef, food scientist or food writer.
Consider Your Interpersonal Skills
There are, however, some careers that require great interpersonal skills.
For example, if you have great communication skills and enjoy interacting with people from all walks of life, there are many exciting industries you can enter, such as:
- Nursing
- Human resources
- Marketing
- Administration
- Retail
- Social work
If, however, you lack confidence when talking to others, you might benefit from a less customer-facing role, such as a microbiologist.
Explore Different Occupations
Once you have narrowed down your search to a list of potential careers, make the time to thoroughly research each profession to make an informed decision.
For example, if you are looking for a forward-thinking role that will be valued by organizations in various industries, consider a career in data science. It is also a flexible, secure career choice, as you will not be short of superb job opportunities for data scientists in the US.
Not only must you review the daily duties attached to a career, but you also should consider the job growth potential, salary and working hours to ensure it complements your needs and ambition.
Research Job Stability
The last thing you will want to do is train for a career only to discover there is next to no demand near you. Job markets are subject to change due to evolving technologies, consumer behavior and the economic climate.
To ensure you don’t make a big mistake, set time aside to review demand for your chosen profession.
If there are limited job roles in your city or a career is in decline, it might be worth cutting your losses and embarking on a more stable profession that offers exceptional job opportunities and salary potential.
Review Job Descriptions
Once you are torn between professions, take the time to review various job descriptions online. It will provide you with an insight into demand in your city or town.
What’s more, you will be able to identify the qualifications, soft skills and potential licensing requirements for the role, which could determine whether you attend university/college or immediately aim to gain experience in your chosen industry.
Gain Valuable Experience
Before you commit many months or years to obtaining a career, aim to gain some valuable experience in an industry, which could help you to make an informed choice.
For example, if you have your heart set on becoming a teacher, consider volunteering at a local school to identify the pressure placed on educators each day.
The experience gained can then be applied to your studies or training.
Interview Professionals
If a member of your family or friendship group has your sought-after career or works in your desired industry, talk to them about the pros and cons of an occupation/field.
If you don’t know anyone who is in the occupation, reach out to hard-working professionals on the likes of LinkedIn to ask them various questions.
It could help you receive many answers to your questions and learn about their experiences in the industry, which could help you to determine if a career is right for you.
Don’t Overlook Your Financial Future
While money shouldn’t be a primary motivator when selecting a career, you mustn’t overlook your financial future.
The career path you choose will, of course, determine your financial security. As a result, it can determine your property portfolio, savings, and quality of life.
It is important to identify your desired take-home salary, as well as your health insurance and retirement requirements.
If a career doesn’t match your needs, it might be beneficial to return to the drawing board or to set your sights a little higher in your desired industry.
While there is no rule you need to embark on a career that offers an exceptional salary, the career you choose should cover your outgoings and help you to achieve your financial goals.
Conclusion
It is essential to carefully choose a career, as your decision could affect the course of your life. Before you sign up to a course or start training, compare an occupation against your personality, salary requirements, ambition, and hard and soft skills, so you don’t regret your choice.
It also helps to gain valuable experience in an industry before you commit many years to training and education.
