Asking yourself ´What career is right for me?' Read this!

You have nearly endless options for your future career, which can feel exciting—or overwhelming. However you’re feeling, there are strategic steps you can take to plan for your future and find what career is right for you. With our helpful guide, you’ll be well on your way to answering the question, “How do I know what career is right for me?”

How to know what career is right for you

Choosing a career path that’s right for you can feel daunting, whether you’re applying for your first job or you’re hoping to make a mid-career change. While it’s certainly a big decision, it’s one you can make with some careful thought and deliberation. 

Start by considering a few key factors, including:

• Your personality traits. You know yourself better than anyone, so think about what types of jobs might suit your personality. What personal traits do you want to use in your job? If you’re creative, for example, you might excel in roles where you can brainstorm new ideas or think outside the box.

• Your transferable skills and experience. What technical skills have you gained in previous jobs? Think about the transferable skills you can use in a new career. If you’re looking for your first job, consider the skills you’ve gained in school or through other experiences such as volunteer work.

• Your work style. Determine your ideal work style and environment. For instance, do you want to work independently, or do you prefer collaborating with others? Do you want the option of remote or hybrid work, or would you rather an in-person environment? Knowing your preferred work style can help you find jobs where you can thrive.

• Your passions and motivations. What do you look forward to doing, and what drives you to do a good job? If you can find a career that allows you to pursue your passions, you’re more likely to be satisfied with your work.

• Your goals and priorities. Think about where you want to be in the future and what’s most important to you. For example, do you want a job that gives you financial security? Do you value a healthy work-life balance? Keep your goals and priorities top of mind as you consider possible careers.

How to find what career is right for you

What is the right career for me? It’s a big question that’s easier to answer if you break it into small steps. Follow these five tips to find your ideal career path:

1. Take a career assessment

If you’re unsure where to start, take a test to see what career is right for you. You can find many career assessments available online, including some free options. These tests can help you determine what jobs align with your skills, passions, and goals.

Here are some career tests you can take:

• Career.io’s Career Assessment. Our Career Assessment tool asks you a few key questions to analyze your skills and expertise. Based on this information, it provides you with a personalized career plan. It recommends jobs to consider and tells you what skills to build for those roles.

• CareerOneStop Interest Assessment. This assessment, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, matches your interests to potential careers. The test asks you 30 questions about what you like to do. Then it uses your answers to recommend jobs for you.

• TypeFinder for Career Planning. This free test analyzes your personality traits, strengths, and interests to find the best jobs for you. It includes 110 questions about your work style and priorities.

2. Research possible jobs

Make a list of jobs you’d like to learn more about and rank them based on your level of interest. Beginning with your top job, research each position to learn more about it. 

Consider various factors, such as the following:

• Job responsibilities. What would you do in this role? Review some job descriptions to learn about the tasks and projects you might handle.

• Required qualifications. Identify the skills, training, and education you would need to compete for the job.

• Job market. Learn about the current demand for the position or industry. Are employers hiring for the position, or is the industry experiencing a decline? The market trends can provide insight into what job security you may have in the role.

• Salary. Determine the average salary for the position and compare it with your financial needs and expectations.

• Advancement opportunities. If growth is important to you, look into whether the position offers opportunities for advancement.

3. Try new roles

Based on your research, narrow down your list to the top one or two jobs that you’re interested in. If you can, take some time to try out those roles before you fully commit to one career path. Think of this short-term experience as a “test run” for your future career.

There are several ways to get this experience, including:

• Volunteer work. Connect with nonprofit or community organizations in your area to find volunteer opportunities in your desired field. For example, if you want to learn more about jobs in digital marketing, you can volunteer to write social media posts for a nonprofit.

• Freelance work. Many companies hire freelancers for temporary or contract work. Apply for freelance jobs to get some experience before looking for a full-time position. If you have trouble finding freelance work, ask people in your network if they know about any freelance opportunities.

• Job shadowing. If you know someone who already works in the position or industry, ask if you can shadow them for a day. Watch what they do and ask questions to learn more about the role. You can also find job-shadowing opportunities by contacting local businesses, college alumni groups, or contacts in your professional network.

4. Consider training and education

If you’re making a career change, consider the training and education you may need for a new role. Will you have to take a class? Get a certification? Earn a degree? Think about how much time, effort, and money you’re willing to invest in those resources.

While training and education can open doors to new opportunities, there are other pathways to making a career transition. Look for entry-level jobs where you can use the skills you already have. You can also apply for jobs that don’t require a degree or other advanced training.

Additionally, you can consider other jobs related to your dream role. For example, if you’re unable to get a healthcare administrator position with your current education and training, look for an administrative support role. With some experience and on-the-job training, you may be able to advance into a higher position in the future.

5. Get help from a career coach

It’s natural to feel worried or anxious about choosing what career path is right for you. If you’re struggling to find the right job, consider working with a career coach. These counselors can use their expertise and network to help you identify and make the right career move for you.

Look online to find career coaches in your area. Ask about the processes they use to help people make career decisions. It’s also helpful to review testimonials to learn how they’ve helped other clients in the past.

Are you ready to find what career is right for you? Check out career.io’s Career Exploration service to learn about different jobs and get personalized recommendations for your career path!

Key takeaways

1. Choosing a career is a big decision, so take some time to evaluate your options. Break the process into small steps so you don’t feel overwhelmed.

2. Take a career assessment to learn about jobs that match your interests, skills, and personality traits.

3. Research potential careers, including the salary, job market, shadowing opportunities, and required qualifications. Discover whether you’ll need to complete additional education or training.

4. Work with a career coach to get some one-on-one help with your decision.