Choosing a career that both pays you well and that you enjoy is like hitting the jackpot of life. Which is why it’s not an easy feat to achieve. Sometimes, it’s hard to know what you want to be “when you grow up” and there’s no single key to career success. If you’re feeling a bit lost amidst the sea of options, I’m here to give you 3 simple tips to help with this tough decision-making process.
Solve the job search formula
The formula to get on the right career track is simple. It’s a combination of your skills/education plus your interest/hobbies plus your likes/dislikes that leads you to your ideal career path. What’s your educational background? What knowledge have you gained from pursuing your hobbies? In terms of likes do you enjoying working in a busy environment? The answers to these questions that will guide you to the ideal job role and industry.
For instance, if you’re a people’s person, with a scientific degree but you’re passionate about our planet then a career in environment and sustainability might be a good path for you. Simply following your passion or just chasing the money is not enough to get you that dream job. It’s a combination of the above-mentioned factors.
But what if you don’t have a degree and you don’t want to go university? You can learn a trade and good avenue is through and apprenticeship. Not only can acquire new skills, its also a great opportunity to earn wages whilst you learn. For instance, you can train to be a Plumber, Electrician or Mechanic, these roles are still in high demand. Through an apprenticeship, you gain real-world experience and expertise under the guidance of professionals.
Research, Research, Research
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, it’s time to do some research. There are so many resources that will inform you about diverse industries, job roles, and companies. These include online and offline resources as follows:
Online resource:
- Search company and career websites
- Read Blogs, ebooks, newsletters and articles industry reports
- Use social media to find out about jobs and professionals in your field
- Use Job boards like Indeed and CV library to research different job specs before applying
Offline research
- You can attend career fairs and professional networking events.
- Seek a career advisor
- Ask for referrals from friends, family or
You can go a step further and apply for Internships, work shadowing and even informational interview opportunities. Additionally, you can even reach out to professionals in your chosen field for some insider insights and advice. Doing your research will help you understand the job market, salaries and career growth prospects so that you can make a more informed choice.
The career path can be a long winding road
Your career path can be more like a roller coaster than a straight line and this is because the job market, economy and you as an individual are constantly evolving. Don’t hesitate to pivot a during this evolution process and as new opportunities arise. Flexibility is crucial when finding the path that truly suits with you. Sometimes you have to acquire the skills that the job market needs in order stay hired and earning. For example, skills in coding and programming are becoming more and more sought after by companies as artificial intelligence and machine learning tools being used to complete tasks that were previously performed by humans.
Some final advise that is worth taking into consideration even though
- Follow your gut instincts: you know more about yourself than you might give yourself credit for. If a certain path “feels right”, but it’s something that you hadn’t initially considered then it’s worth a try.
- Regard your failures as opportunities to learn that will eventually lead you to the right path. It’s the stepping stone that you probably didn’t know you needed.
- Keep an open mind: the story doesn’t end once you’ve chosen a career. Always maintain attitude for continuous learning and development as the job market and you as an individual will continue to evolve.
If you’re not getting the roles you want, don’t hesitate to improve on your skills and knowledge through education and seeking practical experience. You can always learn a new skill and change course as required.
