What Career Is Right for You

How to Know What Career Is Right for You

By Anna Windermere

Many things determine what type of career would work best for you. A job that looks great on paper may be less desirable once you experience the day-to-day realities. To know what career is best for you, explore your personal interests and strengths, as well as the viability of the career track itself and the people who have already made successful career choices.

1. Think back to the types of activities you enjoyed as a child or teen. The talents or skill sets you used then were your first and could indicate what career best suits you now as an adult.
2. Explore the creative side of your life to come up with career ideas based on inspiring things you currently enjoy. Do this by picking up a new hobby or attending events or places just for fun. 
3. Study successful people whom you admire and determine how they got so far in their careers, as well as what skills or talents you might share with them that can lead you on a similar career track. Then ask them to share details about their day-to-day life on the job. 
4. Create what is commonly known as a "vision board" where you can draw or paste images and words in collage form to help you visualize what fills you with passion. The reinforcement could help you formulate a plan to find the right career. 
5. Take a career self-assessment test from a career counselor or psychologist to help you identify your personality type, strengths and natural desires. For example, "O, The Oprah Magazine" suggests determining your "striving style" to narrow down groups of job roles based on what you naturally strive for, such as striving to be secure, creative or helpful. 
6. Research the job market and qualifications for careers that interest you to be sure you meet requirements and that there is demand for workers in that field. 
7. Get firsthand experience on the job as a volunteer or intern to see what life would be like in your potential career. The best way to learn is by doing, and if you find it's not for you, you could save time and money in training and education. 
8. Figure out what types of situations challenge you in positive ways and which are challenging in a stressful way. You want a career that allows you to get satisfaction out of finding solutions but without eroding your energy. 
9. Assess whether a career is likely to involve more solitary work or dealing directly with many people. You might like a particular activity, but if you're an introvert forced to work around people who love to network, it might not turn out to be the right career for you.

Tips & Warnings

• Research all different careers you are interested in and all positions within those careers. You might find your dream job this way!
• If you need to study to do what you want to do, then start!

Source: http://www.ehow.com/how_4834305_career-right.html#ixzz334StWDbC