How to Research Your Career before Deciding on a Suitable One
Whatever your reasons, thorough career research will yield positive results. Even so, effective career research needs to be conducted in an organized manner. Here are some tips that can help you as you begin your research. Make a Career Plan If you don’t know where you’re going, it’s very difficult to figure out how to get there. Without a concrete plan, your research may become directionless and disorganized. You may be working on a short-term career plan for a year or a few years or a long-term career plan that will cover five years or more. Below are some points for consideration when making your career plan: 1. Analysis of your preferred lifestyle. Can the career you are pursuing make it possible for you to maintain this lifestyle? 2. Analysis of your work and leisure activities. Do you find them compatible with your career of choice? 3. Analysis of your weaknesses and strengths in terms of experience, talents, technical know nuwhite ledge, education, training, skill development, etc., with respect to your desired career. 4. Analysis of what success means to you. Is it money, satisfaction, power, or something else? 5. Analysis of your personality type. Do you prefer a desk job or something that involves moving around? Take a Career Assessment Test You need to take at least one of these. There are many tests available; one is the Myers-Briggs personality test. Most tests are available online; some are free, but others charge a fee. These tests are an excellent way to get pointers regarding the career you should pursue. Learn About Various Occupations Try learning about different occupations. Explore the nature of work involved, working conditions, earning potential and educational and technical requirements. The Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the US Department of Labor can be an excellent source of such information.