You may have already completed your education and are ready to start working. Maybe you've already worked in a certain area for a while, but now you want to try something new. In any case, it is not an easy task to decide on the future area of your activity. But once you better understand yourself and analyze current offers, and you can easily choose a field of activity that will completely satisfy you.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Assess your skills and abilities, think about your interests
Step 1. Make a list of the skills that you possess, list all your strengths
Take the time to think about what you really like. Think about theoretical, practical and creative skills. Perhaps you are a great artist, an aspiring star, a great sales manager, or a good soccer player. It is also worth considering your theoretical knowledge: perhaps you have amazing knowledge of all historical events, know how to effectively manage your time, have amazing spatial thinking, maybe you are a good speaker or are good at technology. List all the skills you possess and any strengths you have.
Step 2. Think about your interests and hobbies
Now think about what you like, what you would like and would not like to do. Add these items to the list. For example, you may enjoy spending a lot of time outdoors, attending parties, exploring other cultures, collecting model airplanes, organizing charity events, or traveling the world. Or would you like to read, listen to music, swim, do various scientific experiments, play with animals, cook, ride a motorcycle, volunteer, do handicrafts, clean up, go fishing or create sculptures.
Step 3. Decide for yourself what you would like to be remembered by people before you retire
Look ahead to the future and think about what your life's profession should be. It's okay if the answer doesn't come right away. Just spend more time thinking about this topic. Perhaps you would like to build an entire empire, change the lives of many children, create something new in the field of technology, develop something useful for life, bring joy to the elderly. Think about how you want to contribute to history, how you want to be remembered by people - this will help you choose your path in life.
Step 4. Focus on your own aspirations, not the expectations of society
Usually, we always feel pressure from family, friends, teachers and society, which encourages us to follow a certain path. Perhaps this path will bring joy to them, but it is unlikely that it will make you happy. Let go of other people's expectations and think about what you yourself want. The choice of the further field of activity should be your personal decision based on the knowledge of your strengths and weaknesses, interests and values.
For example, if your father expects you to be the head of a family law firm, but you want to be a teacher, not a lawyer, follow your heart. Chances are, your father will be upset at first. But letting him watch you do what you love - this will help him understand that the area he proposed would not be the right path for you
Step 5. Take a career guidance test
There are many job placement tests on the Internet in different areas. They offer a series of questions to help you figure out which job is best for you. With the help of these tests, you can analyze your strengths and weaknesses, understand your interests and personal qualities - all this will help to narrow down the range of options. Find career guidance tests on the Internet and take a few of them to compare results later.
You can view the tests offered on these sources: https://www.smartia.me or
Part 2 of 3: Narrow down your options
Step 1. Think about the areas of activity in general
A field of activity is more than just a specific specialty. This is a whole area in which there are many related professions and directions. Once you have an idea of what field you want to work in, start looking at the possible specialties. For example, if you want to work in health care, of course you can be a nurse or a doctor, but you can also make appointments, work in the direction of financial allocation and management.
If you are studying law, you can become a lawyer in a large law firm or non-profit organization, or you can write corporate or administrative law guides and conduct corporate affairs
Step 2. Explore the responsibilities and requirements that apply to different specialties in a particular field of activity
Some specific tasks and points may seem too complicated and incomprehensible, but it is important to know exactly what you are going to do. Learn about the day-to-day responsibilities and job requirements for several of your areas of interest to narrow your search options. Find information on the Internet and familiarize yourself with most of the popular professions today. Think about whether you can imagine yourself in this place successfully completing the required tasks. Do you find this job boring or difficult? Does it meet your expectations?
For example, you are very fond of animals, but if you cannot stand the sight of blood and needles, you probably should not look for yourself in veterinary medicine. However, you could walk dogs or become a groomer
Step 3. Match your strengths and positive qualities with the potential profession
It is important to choose a specialty that suits your personality and temperament. Think about whether you enjoy interacting with people (or whether you enjoy working on your own rather than as a team). Think about whether you will make a good leader, or do an excellent job of doing errands, whether you like planning and organizing, or do you like to “go with the flow” more. In addition, you need to consider how skillfully you are with your time, whether you appreciate the big picture or are more attentive to details, whether you enjoy coming up with new ideas.
For example, if you want to work in technology, but don't like to interact with people, you can choose the direction of development, not marketing
Step 4. Think about non-standard activities or related areas
Many skills can be useful in several similar areas. Consider if you can work in a related field with your education. For example, many Russian language and literature teachers can become good editors and publishers.
Alternatively, if you are very active and love sports, you may be able to build a career as a coach, manager or announcer
Step 5. Go on an internship to see if this specialty is right for you
One of the best ways to find out if a job is right for you is to just get started! Try starting an internship - this way you will find out what day-to-day challenges professionals in the field face. In addition, you will be able to meet and network with other people in this specialty. Find websites of companies on the Internet that offer internships in the field in which you want to work.
Step 6. Don't make decisions based only on potential income
Of course, you want to secure a good future for yourself, but income shouldn't be the only determining factor in your decision! Do not hesitate to look for information about the possible income in a particular specialty, but still try to choose the one that suits your personal qualities and interests, and not the one in which you will earn more. Only in this way will you be satisfied with your work.
Part 3 of 3: Take the Next Step
Step 1. Find out what qualifications you will need for your chosen profession
Talk to people who are already in the industry to learn a little about their skills and abilities. You can simply search for job offers and see the minimum skills for the job you want to get. Once you find out what skills and abilities you need to possess, you can safely start working towards becoming a qualified specialist in this field.
For example, if you want to work as a full-time nurse, you need to complete a secondary specialized medical education, pass an exam in practical and theoretical skills, and complete a diploma
Step 2. If necessary, continue your education
For many specialties, a higher education diploma (or a specific certificate) is required. If you have a soul for a specific specialty, but you do not meet some of the requirements, take a few steps towards your dream and acquire the necessary qualifications. Browse the internet for courses, classes, and workshops to help you learn how to accomplish the tasks you face at work. It is possible to work part-time and spend the evening at school.
Step 3. Apply for jobs that you think are right for you
When you start looking for a job, apply for all interesting vacancies and be sure to write a resume detailing your education, experience and key skills. When applying for a vacancy, attach a cover letter to the response, in which you explain why this vacancy interests you, what contribution you can make to the development of this firm or company. Check that the resume and all attachments were written correctly and without errors.
Step 4. Make sure that the values and goals of the company align with your own
You can succeed if the values of the company are aligned with yours. Think about what things are important to you, on what issues you are willing to compromise. Chances are, you will want to work for a company that values healthy living, developing quality products, and helping people in need.
For example, if you are a vegetarian (because you think the act of eating meat is cruel), it is better to apply for an accountant job at a garment company rather than at a butcher shop
Advice
- Find a list of available courses at your preferred university. Circle any suggestions that interest you. Then categorize your chosen proposals and think about which course of study best suits your interests.
- When you are looking for a job in your chosen field, try to find out as much as possible about the potential boss to make sure you enjoy working with them. Remember that interviewing is a two-way process.
- Join various professional communities in your area of interest - this will give you more opportunities for networking, online discussions, face-to-face meetings and exchange of information.