Finding the right career path to follow and
to excel in is never easy. Our preconceived misconceptions can get in the way
more than any other opposition to success. The trick to finding your perfect career
path is in finding out what hides behind a job title – what the actual duties
are and evaluating yourself honestly to see if it would make you happy. Confucius
said it best; “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in
your life.” The following tips and questions are intended to help you determine
the path that’s right for you.
What do YOU bring to the table?
The first step is to evaluate what makes
you who you are. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, things they can handle
and things that would make them go insane. This checklist of questions will
start to provide the answer to the question of what kind of job would best suit
you. Ask yourself what it is you are best at and what drives you most. Is it…
- The need to help others accomplish their goals?
- A passion for finding solutions to problems no one else can?
- Curiosity about the impact various solutions have on the outcome of a project or the environment?
- Making a work process easier, quicker or more efficient?
- Sharing knowledge with others?
- Finding a position that gives you a creative outlet?
- Being creative?
- A conviction for a product/method you want to convince others about?
- Are you interested in pursuing a career while getting to know a different country/culture?
If your answer falls into any of the
categories between 1 and 9 it’s definitely worth finding out which career would
be the best fit for you in this sector, and what to aim for in improving your
situation. You need a passion for what you are doing in order to shine at your
job and be an important contributor.
What kind of work would fit you best?
If
your answer was 1 and/or 5
You would probably be well fit for a
training position. Sure you will have to learn the ropes first, but with this
mindset you would be good at imparting motivational training, actively helping
plan careers and offering educational options in a step by step scenario.
If
your answer was 2 and/or 4
Finding solutions to problems usually
implies that you are hands on and can visualize a process without problems.
This would best place you in the production area of your company, where you can
observe the processes and optimize them.
If
you answered 3, 6 and/or 7
Ditching
the company lifestyle for a trade where you can truly express yourself
might be a good answer for you. What that trade will be lies in your talents to
create.
On the other hand, you also might find
yourself being an asset to the marketing department of a company. Not only do
you have to be creative to market your product, but you have to know how it
will impact your target market. It’s all about the when, where and how.
If
your answer was 7 and/or 8
Sales would be the department lucky to have
you. Being able to convince others of a product or method you believe in, is
invaluable to any company. Creativity is needed to find the right approach for
the target buyer. What is good for one buyer may not be for another, that’s why
it’s important to be able to address buyers in a way that appeals to them.
If
your answer was 9 in addition to any of the other combinations
Taking on a career in a foreign country
will definitely make a positive impact on your resume. The question is where do
you want to go and how do you go about it? The answer will lie in doing your
homework. You can look into career
passport site for help on every aspect of foreign careers. Ranging from
finding a position to relocation advice and help, it’s a nice tool at your
disposition. Living and working abroad is a sure way to broaden your horizons
and realize your dreams.
What will you ask before starting
your career with a new employer?
When you apply for a position that you are
qualified for, make sure your employer meets your standards as well. Today,
with the help of the internet you can get quite a bit of information before
submitting your application.
·
If they have job descriptions
posted for the position you would like, read them carefully and ask yourself if
this is what you want to be doing over the next few years.
·
Read the company philosophy. Is
it one you can share with them? It’s hard to work for a company if you resent
their motives and objectives.
·
Do they promote from within? How
much room is there to grow? If you work for a company that can’t offer the
opportunities you are looking for, you are wasting time.
·
What are the benefits your new
employer offers new hires? Are there special incentives such as income
protection insurance or other benefits?
·
Does the company offer training
programs to keep you up to date in your field? If not, are they willing to take
on some of the cost that would be involved if you were to obtain the training
elsewhere?
·
If you are from a different
area or country, will the company help with relocation costs? Do you know
anything about the area you are going to move to? Will you be able to adapt to the new culture?
These questions are far too important to
ignore. They will make the difference between a future career and a job. The key thing, in any decision that brings
about change, is to know what you want and where you want it to lead you. You
can’t build a house without a foundation and the same goes for the right career
path -you can’t build a career on a position you aren’t happy with. Put your
nose to the ground, start sniffing out the right one, and make a commitment to
your future happiness.
Article submitted
by Arlene Chandler, a freelance writer who enjoys discussing career and
business-related subjects. When she’s not enjoying a good book out on her
patio, she writes about leadership skills, job searching tips, and income
protection plans from Suncorp.
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