Why can't I decide on a career? Top tips to find your path

Do you ever feel like everyone knows what they want to do but you? While it might seem like everyone else has cracked the career code, it’s far from the truth. It’s common to feel undecided about your career and what you want it to look like. Whether you’re just entering the workforce or you’re looking for a change, you can use some helpful tips to determine your ideal career.

We’ve written this guide for those who find themselves asking, “Why can’t I decide on a career path?” and we’ll go over: 

• Some common reasons people struggle to choose a career

• Questions to ask yourself when deciding on a career path

• 9 tips and strategies you can use to make the decision easier

Why do I struggle with choosing a career?

While some people may know what they want to do at a young age, many feel conflicted about the careers they want to have. If you’re struggling to choose a career, don’t feel bad. These are some common issues people face when deciding on a career path:

Lack of information

Some people feel like they don’t know enough about their options to choose the right career. They may lack awareness about different jobs or the education, training, and experience they need for specific roles. Additionally, they may also have limited access to experts who can provide career guidance, such as school counselors or mentors.

Changing interests or priorities

Most people have diverse interests that can change as they grow older and evolve. You may have loved your career when you first started, but now you realize you’re no longer interested in the type of work you’re doing. You may also want to make a career change to pursue other interests or passions.

Similarly, people’s priorities can change as they age. When you first started in your career, for example, you may have had no problem working overtime each week. Now that you’re older, you may want a job that allows you to have a better work-life balance, but you’re not sure how to make that change.

Too many choices

There are nearly endless options for potential careers you can have. While some may find this variety exciting, for others, it can feel overwhelming. Choice overload can occur when you have too many options available to you. As a result, your brain struggles to process and compare all the options, leaving you without a clear winner.

Fear

Fear can keep people from making a decision about their careers. They may have a fear of failure, a fear of the unknown, or a fear of making the wrong decision. If you’re feeling nervous or scared about making a career decision, it’s helpful to remember that you can change your mind later. You can look for another job or make a transition to a new field.

9 Tips for finding the right career path

While you may be thinking “Why can’t I decide on a career path?” you don’t need to choose your path overnight. Instead, take some time to evaluate your priorities, weigh your options, and research potential paths that interest you. Follow these tips for determining your ideal career path:

1. Consider your interests and passions

Many people find fulfillment by aligning their careers with their interests or passions. Think about what you enjoy doing when you’re not at work or school. Consider whether you can use your hobbies or interests in a potential career. For example, if you enjoy reading, consider a career in publishing or editing.

Make a list of your interests so you can refer to it as you consider potential careers. You can also use other tools, like a mind map, to organize your ideas.

2. Make a list of skills

Once you have a list of your passions, create a separate list for your skills. Focus on both the technical skills you have, such as web design or accounting, and the soft skills you can bring to a job, like communication and empathy.

Compare the two lists to see whether you have overlapping interests and skills. For example, if you have basic coding skills and enjoy puzzles, you may consider a career in software development.

3. Complete a personality assessment

Knowing your personality traits can allow you to choose a career that matches your strengths. It can also help eliminate choices based on your weaknesses. If you need some insights into your personality, take an assessment, like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test. It tells you about your preferences and motivations, so you can choose a job that aligns with your personality.

4. Explore careers

By this point, you should have a better understanding of your interests, skills, and personal strengths. Use the information you’ve gathered to start exploring different careers. Go online and conduct basic searches to learn about different jobs. For example, if you have experience in marketing and love to cook, you may search for “culinary jobs for marketing professionals.”

Make a note of any careers that sound interesting or exciting to you. Pay attention to the similarities between these jobs. For example, do they all involve working independently, or do they each require you to have certain skills? These similarities can help you identify your career priorities.

5. Do your research

After conducting some broad searches, research more about the jobs you’ve identified. Review online job boards and search for those positions to learn about employers’ requirements. Compare the requirements to your own qualifications, including your education, skills, and experience.

This comparison can help you learn whether you need to pursue additional training for the career you want. Sometimes, it can be difficult to gain these qualifications. For example, time or budget constraints may prevent you from earning a bachelor’s degree in a new field. In this case, consider whether there are related jobs you can pursue that have fewer requirements.

6. Determine your priorities

Your priorities are another important consideration to make as you weigh your career options. Determine what’s most important to you in a job. If you’re unsure about your needs or wants, ask yourself some questions, such as:

• How much work-life balance do you want?

• What type of work environment do you want to have?

• Where do you want to live?

• What’s your ideal salary range?

7. Narrow your options

Remember that choice overload can keep you from making a decision, so narrow your options as much as possible. Make a list of potential careers and rank them in order of interest. Consider the priorities you’ve identified for your career, such as a high salary or a healthy work-life balance. Eliminate any jobs on the list that don’t meet those priorities. 

8. Ask for feedback

Once you’ve narrowed your options, you may have a clear idea of the career you want. If you’re still unsure, turn to the people closest to you for additional help. Ask your close friends or family members for feedback on the careers you’ve identified. They may have insights about your preferences or priorities that you haven’t considered yet.

You can also seek advice from professional contacts in your network, such as a mentor or a former colleague. These people may have unique feedback related to your professional experience and qualifications.

9. Trust in yourself

Ultimately, it comes time to make a decision about your career path. Hopefully, you can confidently make this decision, knowing that you’ve taken the time to explore different careers related to your interests, skills, and priorities. Even if you don’t feel entirely certain about your choice, trust that you’ve done the work to make an informed decision. Your intuition can take you far and help you make the right choice.

Do you want expert advice about your career path? Find a Career Coach with Career.io and get personalized advice, insights, and guidance to achieve your goals!

Key takeaways

1. It’s common to be indecisive about making a career decision, whether due to a lack of information, changing interests, or too many choices.

2. When choosing a career path, consider your interests, skills, and personality traits to guide your decision.

3. Explore different careers and research to find options that align with your goals and priorities.

4. Follow your intuition and trust yourself to make the right decision for your career.