A lot of people enter the workforce and never truly understand their ideal job capacity. Entry-level candidates are often thrown into programs and assigned a role within the company without ever really having a choice. If you don’t speak up, you’ll be out of luck, because eventually you will move into a potentially undesirable career and all of your work experience will be related. Don’t let this happen to you. Figure out your true career passion before you enter the workforce, and optimize your job hunt to find roles in the field. Being happy with the career you choose will nearly guarantee your success and make you a permanent fixture within your organization. Here are some tips to help you find what it is that you really want to do.
Finding Your True Career Passion:
1.) Past Experience
Think back to all the jobs or even just responsibilities you’ve had in the past. What did you enjoy doing the most? Remember, money definitely helps, but you really shouldn’t make career decisions based on how much money you will make. It will all fall into place once your launch your career. Make yourself a list of your strengths and weaknesses, and identify the areas in which you excel. Choosing a job using this type of data will always produce favorable results. It’s all about matching your interests and personal characteristics to the workplace, which is a step many people overlook while job hunting.
2.) Aptitude Test
Always remember that although an aptitude test can give you some excellent information, you might not want to jump on board with the recommendations right away. If the test happens to be incorrect and you put all of your eggs in one basket, it will lead to problems in your career. Always use aptitude tests as a guide to point you in the right direction. They usually do a good job of analyzing your personality and providing a solid list of job recommendations. Many people have chosen careers in this manner, and are happy they chose this method. It’s a good tool to utilize during the job hunting process, and the results you get back might surprise you.
3.) Trial and Error
At the end of the day, you can take all of the necessary steps to prevent yourself from landing an unfavorable job, but you really won’t know a thing until you try. Who knows? Maybe a job you though you would love actually turned out to be just the opposite. Early-career employees with an educational background are lucky because they have many options available to them. However, if you take a job you don’t like but stick around for too long, it will hinder your ability to land a position outside of that role. Always test out a job if you are unsure, because you can pay your bills while you experiment.
4.) Personal Preference
Many people will attempt to persuade you to take another job. Maybe your significant other wants more money, or your parents think you should take a certain job. Always know that ultimately the decision is a personal one, so your destiny is really in your control. Try to ignore the naysayers. The fact of the matter is that you will be the one working +/- 40 hours per week, so you need to make sure that you truly love what you are doing. If you come into work every day with a frown on your face and a miserable outlook, it might be time to find a new position.
If you’ve chosen a job that you dislike, always remember that it’s never too late to change. There are plenty of programs that only require a short educational stint and small investment to complete. Check your local community college or technical schools for programs like nursing, dental hygiene, information technology, graphics design, or a trade (plumbing, HVAC, etc.) You might only be two years away from the job of your dreams.
Matthew Welch
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