The multi-million question always comes up. Identifying the right career. Easier said than done. Identifying the right career is an act of many tries; some succeed, and some might need to be the right one. It’s like puzzle pieces you put together, though you need to search for it to find the right one.
Check out my online or in-person career coaching offers: Career Coach Hulya
8 Steps to Your Ideal Career Path
Here are some strategies you can start thinking of to find the right career for you. Or almost. We begin again with what? No surprise. It starts with you.
1. Self Reflection
Here are some challenging questions:
- What are your interests?
- What are your strengths?
- What are your values?
In this instance, a personal map might be helpful. In my Drive & Thrive accredited workbook, I cover how to identify these in the most practical and related manner.
With that first scanning, you can narrow your research to find the right career. It might relate to the industry, the profession, your transferable skills, and your strengths.
2. Assess Your Skills and Talents
What are you good at?
This is a question that my clients always need help answering. When in doubt, ask your peers and friends. Observe what you are doing with ease and which tasks you did and are doing fulfill you; you are most proud of and satisfied. This is your compass for finding the right path to your career.
3. Explore Career Options
Once you know more about yourself, it’s time to do your research. Which of your skills can you use in the industry you are looking to work in? Do you have transferable skills that can be used in any industry? Is it more specific? Think about your dream job and what skills you possess already.
Check out job roles and positions on Google or LinkedIn for trends.
Attend meetups and networking events. If you still need to decide which industry to enter, attend any event and find out if it suits you.
4. Experiment
If you don’t try, how would you know if you would like what you have chosen as your new career direction?
Explore volunteer opportunities in associations that focus on the area you are looking for or in your organization. Raise your hands for different initiatives and projects. The more you expose yourself, the more you will gain experience and know if it is for you.
As in my terms: try fast, fail fast, learn fast.
5. Evaluate Your Life Priorities
What is more essential for you in life?:
- Work life balance – having enough time for yourself and your hobbies and family.
- Flexibility
- Income
- Title
- Career Growth
Check the above-selected points, and see how you would rate them from 1-5, 5 being the most important. Based on what you have chosen, the most important can be more than one; you can already determine a good career choice and what would be a good industry for you to move to.
6. Seek Professional Guidance
Of course, seeking a mentor or career coach is another avenue to shorten your search for the right career direction.
The mentor can be from the same organization or outside. Depending on your goal, the mentor would share experiences and knowledge.
The career coach will have a more holistic view and be an expert in asking challenging questions, provoking critical thinking, and resulting in tangible action plans.
7. Goal Setting
Thoughts are great; however, they will only happen if they are put into action and motion. Set yourself goals. I call them micro-goals instead of big, hairy goals that might be frightening. Micro goals are small steps achievable for you in your circumstances. Write them down; what we write, we invite. Monitor and measure whether it is possible for you to achieve them and whether you need to adjust.
Ultimately, these are your own goals. Own them.
8. Agility and Flexibility
The career destination might differ from the right and final ones. Many professionals pivot from one industry to another or from profession to profession. This is normal and means that you are learning and growing. What is dangerous is when you stand still and become increasingly frustrated.
Final Thoughts
Returning to my motto: Life is too short to live an unfulfilled professional life.
Choosing the right career combines self-awareness, ambition, passion, and strengths. You need to research, experiment, and be open-minded.
This path is about something other than finding the perfect one, as this does not exist. It is more about finding your fulfillment and thriving in your profession.
If you have identified some career options or are in exploration mode, share your thoughts in the comments and send me a direct message or email.
I would love to hear from you.
And in case, as usual, you need a hand, reach out.