Some people know exactly what they want to do from an early age, but for most of us, it can be difficult to find the perfect job. It’s common to change your mind, explore different opportunities and accept job offers just to put food on the table.
If you’re thinking about changing jobs in 2023 or you’re still trying to figure out what you want to do, here are some tips to help you find the right career path.
Outline your priorities
Some people live and breathe their jobs while for others, going to work is purely a means of earning an income. If you’re considering a career change, you’re looking for your first job after university or school, or you’re searching for opportunities, think about what matters most to you. Is the salary the most important thing or is job satisfaction top of your wish list? Are you looking for a platform to develop and progress, do you want to learn new skills, or are you desperate to find a job that enables you to travel or meet new people? Is flexibility key, or do you have firm ideas about the kind of company you want to work for? Everyone is different and there is no right or wrong answer. Once you know what your priorities are, you can start searching for suitable roles.
Consider your skills and qualifications
For some jobs, you might not need specific qualifications or skills, but often, employers ask for skills, training and qualifications when advertising jobs. If you have a dream job in mind, and you don’t currently match the criteria, you don’t have to give up hope. You could study or learn on the job or explore roles that are linked to your ideal job but don’t require the same level of experience or academic qualifications. If you wanted to be a vet, for example, but you didn’t get onto a degree programme, there are many other jobs that involve working with animals. If you want to change careers, focus on transferable skills.
Take inspiration from your interests
There’s a popular saying that suggests that you’ll never work a day in your life if you find a job you love. One of the best ways to get a job that you adore is to take inspiration from your interests. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? What fascinates and intrigues you? What makes you happy? What kinds of tasks or jobs do you enjoy most at work or did you love at school or college? You can use tools and assessments to find out which roles are suited to your interests and passions. For more information click here. If you’re enthusiastic about your job and it interests you, you’ll get more out of your career and you should feel happier and more content. It is also worth considering setting up a side hustle if you’re thinking about trying to monetise a hobby or interest. This will allow you to continue earning while you test the waters.
Think about your personality and character traits
Finding the perfect position isn’t just about searching for roles that complement your skills and qualifications. It’s also important to consider your personality and character traits and your values. Search for jobs that match your personality type. Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Do you like to express yourself through creativity or are you a deep thinker? Are you very caring and nurturing? Are you a natural leader? Do you enjoy analytical tasks? Aligning your career and personality traits can help you to find a job that you not only enjoy but that also provides satisfaction and opportunities to fulfil your potential.
Try different roles
It’s very difficult to get a feel for a job without actually doing it. You may have a rose-tinted vision of a role that you think would be perfect or you might write off positions because you assume that you won’t enjoy them. Gaining practical experience and trying different jobs can provide an insight into what that career path really looks like. You might be surprised at how you react to different jobs and which route you end up taking. Many people have multiple jobs before they decide what they want to do in the long term.
The start of a new year is traditionally a time when many of us think about our careers and the paths we want to take. If you’re considering making changes, or you’re looking for your first job, it’s beneficial to take steps to find the right job. Outline your priorities, consider your skills and qualifications and search for jobs that suit your personality type. Take inspiration from your interests and hobbies and try different roles before you make a decision.
