Find the Right Career Path with These 4 Tips

At what point do we realize, “this is what I want to do for the rest of my life”?

We’re asked at a young age what our career path is, but the truth is, most have a hard time coming to this realization without some form of trial and error.

Professionals will go through years of schooling or spend far too long in the wrong role before realizing they are unhappy with their chosen path. Determining the right career path can be challenging. It requires a thorough assessment of your abilities, potential, and aspirations.

In today’s rapidly evolving and competitive professional world, making the right move at the right time can propel you to great heights in your career, while a wrong move can set you back significantly. Although you may possess the necessary skills to progress, using them in the right direction is crucial to achieving success in your career.

With a little bit of self-reflection and exploration, you can discover a career that’s not only fulfilling but also aligns with your values and interests. Here are four things you can do to find the right career path for you.

1. Know Your Strengths

Knowing your strengths is an essential step in finding a career that is both fulfilling and aligned with your abilities. Your skills are the abilities and competencies you have developed through education, training, and life experiences. When you’re fully aware of your skillset, it becomes much easier to identify those tasks that come naturally to you.

Do you desire a career path that requires an unfamiliar set of skills, don’t get discouraged. There are plenty of ways to develop new talents along your professional journey. Start by performing research on the industry, then explore relevant courses, training programs, and certifications to get ahead. These can all be done in your free time, meaning, you don’t need to leave your current job in order to do so.  With consistent effort and a willingness to learn, building the necessary skills to pursue a fulfilling career in your desired field is that much closer.

2. Research Different Careers

Once you have a better understanding of your strengths and natural skillset, it’s time to research different careers. There are several ways to research different careers, including:

Online research: Use career exploration websites such as O*NET or CareerOneStop to learn more about career paths of interest, their salaries, and the education/training required. You can visit job posting websites like LinkedIn or Glassdoor to better understand what other jobs entail.

Informational interviews: Reach out to people who work in the fields you’re interested in. Ask if they’re willing to discuss the ins and outs of their role. This provides you with a more personal view of what the job is like on a daily basis.

Job shadowing: Consider shadowing someone who works in a job you’re interested in for a day or two. In doing so, you better understand what the job entails and whether it’s a good fit for you. This option can be a win-win for both parties as it provides an in-depth look at how they’d fit in the role and company.

3. Try Out Different Jobs

One of the best ways to determine whether a career is right for you is to try it out. Consider taking on a part-time job, volunteering, or doing an internship in a field that interests you. These are all great alternatives to committing to something before confirming it’s the right move.

If you’re unsure where to start, consider contacting your college’s career center or a local staffing agency.  And if you do take on a part-time job or internship, be sure to ask lots of questions and take notes about what you enjoy and don’t enjoy about the work.

4. Continuously Reflect and Adjust

The world of work is constantly changing and career paths are rarely linear. By taking the time to reflect on your experiences and evaluate whether you are on the right path, you can make adjustments that help you stay on track and move forward in a direction that is aligned with your goals.

Reflecting on your experiences can also help you identify areas where you may need to develop new skills or gain new experiences in order to progress in your career. This can help you proactively take steps to build your skillset and increase your marketability in your field.

If you’ve come to a crossroads in your career and aren’t sure whether to stay on course or make that shift, Glades Talent can help! Contrary to common belief, recruiters don’t just help you find a job. Instead, our team goes above and beyond the placement process to provide valuable support through interview coaching, industry insights, and even counseling to all the candidates we serve.

Speak with a member of our executive recruitment team today!