Finding the right career path is something a lot of people struggle with.
In order to help you make the right decisions when it comes to your own career, below are 5 key tips to finding the right career path. There is also a great UK government site to help you decide on your career.
1. Know your strengths
Knowing your strengths is one of the best ways to find the right career path. Everyone has things they’re naturally good at but people often don’t pay attention to them when thinking about their ideal career path, instead choosing something that’s practical or available. By knowing your strengths you can then work towards a career that you’d be ideally suited to.
2. Know your weaknesses
Just as important as knowing your strengths is knowing your weaknesses. For example, if you’re easily bored and need a lot of stimulation then an office job where you’re stuck behind a desk for 8 hours a day probably isn’t the best choice of career for you.
3. Think about what you would enjoy doing
This is something that so many people neglect when it comes to their career. Thanks to the internet and social media, people now have more choice than ever when it comes to careers. There are so many skills you can learn online, such as web design, graphic design, web development etc. that you no longer have to do something simply because it makes money. Think about what you would enjoy doing in the long term and aim towards that.
4. Make use of connections
If you know people who are able to help your career then this is a huge advantage. Of course you want to be sure you’re suited to any particular role before going for it but having connections in a particular industry is something that can really boost your career.
Think about practical considerations
Sometimes it’s easy to like the idea of a career without really considering if it would be practical for you. For example, if you wanted to work as a courier then it’s not just about whether you’re able to drive but if you can afford the initial investment in a van and whether you’re fit enough to carry parcels around all day. Thinking about the practical everyday realities of a job will help you avoid those you’re not suited to.