Choosing a work field is a very important decision and it is something that would have long term impact on all the facets of your
life. Following are some career advices that can help you in choosing a work field that is right for you.
- What do You Want
When choosing a work field or career line, do not just focus on the obvious parts such as package job security etc. You will spend a major part of your life working at that job, therefore take some time to find out what do you want. This may not be as obvious as it appear. Think about your previous experiences and remember what makes you truly happy. In any case never pick a work field that you do not like.
When deciding on things that you like or think you like do not get focused on a single thing. This is the first step in the decision making process of choosing a work field. It would not be a good idea to get obsessed with a single thing and ignore possible alternatives at this stage. It would be a good idea to make a list of things that you may like doing, sorted in the order of how you like them.
- Knowing Yourself
Know yourself; find out your strengths and weaknesses before choosing a work field. There are several psychological and aptitude tests that can help you in this regard. When considering the skills you have, do not limit yourself only to your professional experiences. Keep your mind open and look for things that may not have been considered as professional skills before.
- Researching
Once you have some idea of what you like and what your skill set and abilities are, it is time to look outside and see what opportunities are available. You should research the available options. For this you can take the help of a career counselor, use internet, ask friends and use any other way/method you think is appropriate. It would be better to use multiple sources of information. The research process should include following:
- Job Market Conditions
This should involve getting an idea of number and types of the jobs available in a particular work field, usual compensation and benefits in the jobs etc. You should also consider the general stability of the work filed as this would significantly affect the job security.
- Specific Careers
Find out the job profiles related to a particular work field. Consider the various job profiles and find out their specifics, such as required skills and qualifications, compensation, transferable skills, competition, stability and job security. Consider carefully the alternatives that are open to you.
- Feasibility
Before making a final decision on a particular career profile, consider its feasibility as well. A job or career profile may not be feasible for you due to several reasons such as a too low salary, large investment of time and money in training, low number of jobs, location of the company etc.
- Talk It Out
Once you have narrowed down your options, you should discuss it with the people around you. Don't let them make your decision for you but consider their advice carefully. This will provide you with valuable feedback and help you make a final decision. If you feel it's needed you can also take the help of a career advice agency or professional in making the final decision.
- Next Step
Once you have decided on a job that you wish to pursue the next part would be to develop the required skills and qualifications, deciding the course that you would pursue, etc. Career advice can help you choose the right course and college appropriate for your career choice. Also remember to take full advantage of academic years and learn as much as you can about your chosen field.
- Career Change
You may have to make a decision to change your career later in life. This could be due to several reasons, which may include lack of job satisfaction, salary, involuntary job change etc. To be on the safe side you should have a backup career plan, which should be prepared before making a career change.
- Slow but Steady
When preparing for a new career, keep your efforts steady. You would not get ready for a different career or job in a single day. Dedicate some time each day to your career preparation. Take your time and pace yourself. Unless you have do not leave your job until you are ready or actually have a job offer in hand. The situation would be more than a bit bad if you are unemployed and the career change is forced on you, but do not lose hope. Keep improving your knowledge steadily.
- Give it a Chance
Do not decide to change your career immediately if you are unhappy or not fully satisfied with your job. Give it a chance and if you can begin to like it. A history of frequent job or career hopping would look bad on your resume and send the prospective employers signal that you are unreliable. Do your best to succeed at your job instead of jumping the moment whenever a difficulty arises.
The career advices mentioned above are, although not comprehensive in and of itself, some of the best for choosing a work field either initially or for a career change.