Will the new job or new career choice that I like be the right career for me?
As a psychologist and career counselor, I have worked with thousands of people over the years who are choosing or changing careers and wondering if they would really like to be in a particular career. Based on this experience, I believe that most people who want to get into a career that they think they might like don’t really explore the questions they need to make sure it’s the right career for them.
Here is a list of 20 questions to find answers to before concluding that a career you think you might like is really right for you, followed by 9 sources of information to answer these questions:
Questions:
1. In general, why do you think you would “like” this career?
two. Why is it important for you to enter this career? What values, needs and goals does it satisfy?
3. What do you really know about this career?
Four. Do you have any direct experience in this career? Have you had any work or volunteer experiences?
5. Have you talked to people who are in this race?
6. Have you done any reading about the race?
7. What are the opportunities? What kind of money can you make in this field and where are the openings?
8. What would your typical day look like in this race?
9. What are the drawbacks, disadvantages and obstacles of this career?
10 Do your interests match the interests of others in this career?
eleven Do you have the aptitudes, skills, and abilities to be successful in this career?
12 Do you have the education or training to enter this career?
13 Do you have the personality traits that will make you successful in the new career?
14 Do you have the motivation and energy to go ahead and do what it would take to enter the new career?
fifteen. What are your “transferable” skills? That is, what skills or knowledge do you have now that you can use in the new career?
sixteen. What skills or knowledge do you have that would not only be transferable, but would also be a unique advantage in the new career?
17 What does it take to enter the new career? What kind of additional training, education, or experience would you need?
18 Have you developed a specific plan, including timelines and specific goals to achieve?
19 Do you have a support network of family, friends, coworkers, or significant others?
twenty Having answered all the questions above, do you still “like” the career and think it’s a good idea to get into it? Why?
I think you’ll find that there are many resources you can use to help you answer the questions above. Among them:
1. Read. This would include not only the hundreds of books and pamphlets on careers and career choice, but also publications that describe careers (such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the US Department of Labor and available on the Internet).
two. Practical experience. Not only is it possible to get a full or part-time job, but you can also volunteer with an organization or company for a couple of hours a week, just to get exposure to the field. Usually, any organization is happy to receive this kind of help (unless they think you’re an investigative reporter for some newspaper or TV show).
3. Job search advice. Anyone changing career paths needs a highly competitive job search strategy. This should include a resume, cover letter, and job interview strategies that are specific to your situation. This may also include advice on labor market research.
Four. A comprehensive self-assessment. This is not an evaluation BY yourself, but an evaluation OF yourself. A good career counselor can provide this type of evaluation, which would include counseling and testing.
5. Race test. Tests generally fall into three categories: 1) Aptitude, Ability, and Skills Tests, 2) Career Interest Tests, and 3) Personality and Motivation Tests that focus on career-related characteristics.
6. career coaching Guided discussions with an expert can help you clarify your goals, strategies, and commitment.
7. Education and training. Before launching into a full-time degree program, you might take a course, seminar, workshop, or short certificate program in your new career.
8. Networks. There are many job clubs and career resource centers available to explore new careers. Schools, career counselors, and other professionals can often provide you with information about these resources.
9. Informative interview. It’s generally not a good idea to start a career if you haven’t talked to at least a few people who are already in it and can provide you with information. You can also talk to people in academic and training programs.
Armed with all of this information and knowledge, you should now be in a better position to judge whether taking the next step in this new career area makes sense for you.