by Identifying a perfect career for yourself can be frustrating especially if you don’t know where to start or you have been trying without achieving the desired outcome. It is also possible that you have already chosen a career path, but you are not satisfied with the career.
What is a career path? A career path is a sequence of jobs that leads to short and long-term career goals. Some career pathways are linear within a particular field, while others are more complex with periodic changes in career and goals.
There are multiple factors to consider when choosing a perfect career. Most people usually use two pathways which are either to follow the path of least resistance, which is the seemingly easiest available career option or the path of greatest financial reward irrespective of the possible level of difficulty.
The above method might be helpful to some people, however, there is also a systematic way to find a suitable career, which will be discussed in this article. This will be quite helpful for individuals who did not succeed with the earlier option.
How to identify a perfect career
Career assessment
Career assessment may help some individuals identify a perfect career. This will point you in the right direction, by showing you a list of careers suitable for you based on the result of the career assessment tool used. Please ensure that the career assessment tool used is reliable and valid.
List of career options,
To identify a perfect career, make a list of all possible career options from the most suitable perfect career option to the least. This will allow you to scrutinize your options and make an informed choice.
- Make a list of all the things you are good at or things you feel you have the potential to be good at. This should include hobbies, sports, technical skills, board games, interpersonal skills, education, writing skills and other academic-related skill sets.
- After successfully completing the above task, write down all the things you enjoy doing. This second list may have some overlapping options with the first list, however, still make the list all the same.
- After successfully developing the above lists, read through your list and make another list from the first two lists above. However, this time around copy out the career options you like doing or things you are good at that people are likely to pay for. This should also include services that you can provide and monetize.
If you could not identify a perfect career option from the first two lists that people are likely to pay for, then you have to acquire new knowledge or new skill which people can pay for.
Explore your identified career options. This will require a detailed online search of the potential career options you identified. You will also need to consider the sector you are interested in working in. Private or public sector. Each sector has its merits and demerits which you will need to carefully study before making an informed choice.
Other factors
While choosing a perfect career for yourself, one also needs to consider other factors such as goals/ambitions, personality type, level of literacy, skillset and locality. However, a lot of jobs can be done remotely from home, another country or a state.
Goals
Identify your short and long time goals, because a sound knowledge of what you plan to achieve, will to a large extent determine the type of career you would want to pursue.
Life style
The career you opt for is also associated with the type of life you plan to live. When you have determined your goals and preferred lifestyle relate them to your career options. This will assist you to choose the perfect career for yourself.
Personality types
They are undoubtedly different types of personalities and some personalities are best suited for certain types of career options and as such should be considered while seeking a perfect career for yourself.
For example, an extrovert may do very well in career pathways that have to do with addressing the public, while an individual who is an introvert may prefer meeting people one on one. These innate attributes may eventually affect the career pathway of the individual.
Education
Level of literacy is important while deciding the perfect career option for yourself, however, more importantly, not all career pathways require a high level of literacy.
Consider your interest in school. If you had formal education then your career choices will be affected by the courses you majored in school.
Also, the courses/subjects you enjoyed or understand most will also play a role in your career options, for instance, someone who is very comfortable in science-related courses may invariably prefer or end up in science-related career paths.
Similarly, individuals who are very good in different kinds of sports may venture into professional sports, this category of people does not need so much formal education to excel in their career.
Financial status
Consider your present financial status and the resources available to you, because the career options you can venture into will depend to a significant extent on your financial security.
If your financial security is poor, then it may not be feasible and reasonable to choose a career path that is capital-intensive.
Remuneration
Consider your salary needs, when choosing a career. Different careers have a very wide of remunerations, so you must explore the annual salary income of different career options before settling down for any particular option.
In addition to the financial incentive job satisfaction is also important and should be considered when making a career option.
Environment
Locality, state or city of residence affects the career paths available to an individual.
However, with the advent of remote jobs, a lot of people can now work from the comfort of their homes. Consequently one should also consider remote jobs while choosing a perfect career.
Conclusion
When you have successfully identified the perfect career options and considered other factors that can influence your choice of a perfect career, then it’s time to make an informed career path choice.
We believe that the information herein will go a long way in helping you actualize your dream and ambition of a perfect career for yourself.
If you have questions, comments or contributions please use the comment section below.
