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We spend most and perhaps the best part of our adult lives at work. That is why it is so important for a person to choose a career that suits his character and interests. How to do it and not make a mistake?
Figuring out which activity suits you is not easy. Scientific research and personal experience of different people shows that few people manage to find a life’s work already in their youth. Moreover, most are dissatisfied with their work. If you are just starting a career, have decided to change the field of activity or, for example, leave the office to freelance, four tips from Marian Stenger, a career development specialist, will help.
1. Don’t Forget Personal Values
Undoubtedly, criteria such as salary and the possibility of promotion are important when choosing a job. However, a career should not be contrary to desires and values. For some, a flexible schedule and the ability to travel are important, while others feel great in the conditions of a normalized working day and a fixed salary.
If you are still unable to formulate your own priorities, use one of the career guidance methods that are easy to find on the Internet. This way you will have a fairly clear idea of what exactly you want from work and what career options are unacceptable for you.
2. Get tested to determine the right profession
You can’t blindly follow test results, and it’s even more foolish to rely on them completely when choosing a career. However, by completing the Career Path Test, you will better understand what your professional interests are, what your strengths and weaknesses are, and what style of work best suits your personality.
Today, more than 60% of HR managers take into account the results of tests to identify the personal characteristics of candidates. However, if you want to determine which job would be best for you, be as honest as possible when answering questions and try to avoid answers that you think your future employer will like.
3. Consider your personality type
When choosing a career, it is important what type of person you are. Introverts are suited to certain activities and work environments, while extroverts are suited to others. Introverts work better in small groups or alone.
Extroverts, on the other hand, love to be around people and without constant interaction with colleagues, they lose interest in work.
We have both extroverts and introverts. The former will more easily succeed in professions such as firefighter, police officer, sales manager, PR and advertising specialist, event organizer, physical therapist, nurse, and pharmacist. The latter make good designers, truck drivers, programmers and editors.
4. Chat with loved ones
Sometimes those around us understand us better than we do ourselves. They watch us in different situations in life, in which we demonstrate both strengths and weaknesses. As you consider career options, ask family members, friends, or teachers what they think is the best job for you and why. According to studies, more than half of university graduates chose a profession with the participation and influence of loved ones.
Listen to the opinion of the environment, analyze the information received, but make the final decision yourself. This is your job, your life, your choice.
Sometimes these four steps are not enough to determine what you want to do for a living. In this case, it is worth contacting a career consultant who will help you understand your strengths and weaknesses both professionally and personally, determine career goals and develop a realistic plan for achieving them.