4 Simple Steps to Finding the Perfect Career

Picking a career may seem overwhelming, no matter what stage of life you're at. Whether your freshly minted degree is wafting its way to you in the mail or if it's time for an exciting career shift—selecting the right path isn't easy.

The good news? Options are available to help guide and make this journey less daunting.

Finding the Right Career Path: A Guide to Making the Best Decision

Are you feeling uncertain about your career path? Are you struggling to find a job that truly excites and motivates you? If so, it may be time to discover your passion. By identifying what truly drives and inspires you, you can find a career that brings you fulfillment and satisfaction.

Here are four steps to finding the profession that best aligns with your skills and interests.

Step 1: Determine Your Interests and Preferences

If a steady paycheck isn't your biggest concern when looking for a job, ask yourself what sparks joy in you. Is there something that lights up the corners of your mind? Reflect on what you truly enjoy. Are you captivated by the beauty of nature or invigorated through engaging conversations?

Does your skillset lean towards more creative pursuits, such as writing and art, or are analytics-driven tasks like crunching numbers more in tune with who you are? Take a moment to ponder these questions so that the answers will result in greater self-awareness and satisfaction.

If you've been uncertain about what path to take, now may be the perfect time to assess your skills and interests with a career test.

Complete a Career Assessment

These days trying to figure out what you want to do with your life can feel like an impossible task. This is where career assessment tests can help! These assessments help identify your interests and match them with potential career paths that fit your skill set.

Career tests are a great way to determine where your true talent lies. Liking health sciences doesn't necessarily mean being limited to becoming only a nutritionist. There may well be other professions within the field of healthcare that better suit your strengths and interests.

Here are some assessments to kickstart your journey:

• CareerFitter
• MAPP Assessment
• My Next Move
• Occupational Network
• The Princeton Review
• The Strong Interest Inventory Test

Although these tests can be expensive, there are ways to save money. If you're a college student, don't miss the opportunity to receive free services from your university's career development office. Once you graduate, they remain available with special pricing so that fresh graduates can tackle their post-graduation anxieties!

Loren Margolis, founder and CEO of Training & Leadership Success Consulting encourages taking advantage of employment services in your community for those re-entering the workforce.

These services range from free career coaching offered by local or national non-profits to heavily discounted options available through federal programs. These programs are created especially for individuals whose careers were disrupted due to layoffs.

The Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services in New York provides job development programs to assist those striving to make a successful transition back into the work environment.

If local community resources aren't accessible, you can consider seeking free career coaching online. GoodProspects, offered by Goodwill Industries International, is a good example. By creating an account on the platform, you can explore potential career paths and receive guidance and advice from professional coaches to determine if the career you are interested in is a good fit.

Step 2: Evaluate Important Factors

Your career should be a step towards substantial accomplishments in life. Your values are integral here—focus on what drives your ambition and creates long-term fulfillment instead of short-lived financial rewards.

Margolis encourages career seekers to prioritize their current needs, emphasizing the importance of financial realities. She advises evaluating opportunities based on lifestyle and overall satisfaction rather than solely basing decisions on potential earnings.

As you weigh your options, remember to consider work/life balance and job availability alongside access to training or education. It's also essential to analyze whether this career choice would saddle you with excessive debt.

Is your lifestyle ready to take on what it takes to be successful in your chosen field? It's essential not just to ask but also to consider whether short-term and long-term goals come into play when determining if this is achievable.

Depending upon which stage one may find themselves, from a rookie or an experienced professional making a change—these answers can vary drastically.

Step 3: Find Potential Career Options

Taking the time to read the job descriptions thoroughly can go a long way. They can provide valuable insight into what the role entails and whether it is something you are able and willing to do. Narrow down your research to areas that pique your interest and continue exploring until you find a few careers that can bring you closer to achieving what is beneficial for yourself and your goals.

Networking can be a great aid when beginning your job search. Experts advise not to shy away from reaching out to professionals in the field you've targeted, as they provide invaluable inputs that you can't find elsewhere.

Soon enough, you'll be ready to apply for jobs! To do so effectively, you should take the time to revise your resume and write a strong cover letter.

Check the Bureau of Labor Statistics

The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a vast database of insightful knowledge on diverse career pathways, enabling individuals to make informed decisions about their future.

Radiation therapists carry out critical work, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics has crunched the numbers to give us valuable insight into this profession. In 2019 there were 18,500 radiation therapist jobs with a median wage of $85,560 annually—and that's only scratching the surface! The outlook for job growth looks positive at 7% in the coming years.

Searching for the career you want can be tricky. Luckily, there's a way to skip past those confusing databases. With this Google search method, you'll get direct links immediately so that your research is as quick and easy as possible. All it takes are two searches using brackets and simple steps toward finding out more about the profession of your dreams.

• {job title} bls ooh: To find the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), type "ooh" into the search bar and select the URL with "ooh."

• {job title} bls oes: This process will direct you to the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) for the desired position. These pages provide information on wage and employment estimates for over 800 diverse careers.

Consider Apprenticeships

Through apprenticeships, individuals can discover career possibilities or familiarize themselves with a field they're passionate about. Apprenticeship programs offer exciting opportunities for both entry-level students and experienced professionals alike.

Offering a unique way to gain experience and expertise, apprenticeship programs provide an alternative pathway into specialized fields that traditionally require advanced degrees or licensing. Rooted in traditional building trades such as plumbing and carpentry, the scope of these pathways has broadened to reach industries like IT and healthcare. Options range from one year up to six years long.

With on-the-job training, you can give your career a head start and get paid! You'll be equipped with the fundamental skills needed for professional development while earning an income—now that's a win/win situation!

Step 4: Watch Out for These Common Pitfalls

When selecting a career path, it is crucial to be mindful of potential pitfalls. Be sure to exercise caution by avoiding common missteps that can impede your progress and prevent you from achieving success.

• __Lacking proper preparation. __ As you continue to cultivate your career, you must connect with other experienced professionals in an area of interest. Demonstrating a solid understanding and capability when asked curious questions such as “What is the standard workweek?” or “How do I meet expectations of this role?”

• __Opting for a career with limited growth potential. __ When pursuing a specific career, keep an eye out for opportunities with growth potential. Ask during the interview if the role offers a clear path to career advancement or is simply stagnant.

• Failing to utilize available resources. With career assessments and strength tests cost-free for students and young professionals, there's no reason to leave any potential opportunity untapped. Investing time into these professional resources could lead you to find a rewarding career journey.

• __Prioritizing earnings over work-life balance. __ Wealth is undoubtedly attractive but should not be the sole motivator when pursuing a career. Other areas of your life could suffer if money becomes too much emphasis. The real key is finding something that best aligns with what you want for yourself and how you envision living out a fulfilling existence.

Navigate Your Way to the Right Career Path

Finding the right career path can be overwhelming, but it is crucial to finding fulfillment and success in your professional life. Start by considering your passions, strengths, values, and potential career advancement.

It is also helpful to seek guidance and advice from mentors or professionals to explore different career options and make informed decisions.

Ultimately, the key to finding the right career path is to be proactive, open-minded, and persistent in your search for a fulfilling career. Navigate your way to the right career path today!