The fact that many people end up in a completely different line of business than what they initially wanted should tell you something. No one is ever born with a clear plan of what they should do in life. Our preferences, likes, dislikes, abilities, and skills form the path of reaching the perfect job for us. There are hundreds of different tests and quizzes out there that “help” you establish the perfect job for you.
However, the truth is that the job you are cut out to do is almost always different than what you had in mind for yourself. There are many factors to take into account to help in this decision-making process, and here are a few that determine what job you are most suited to.
It’s Not Always About Passion
Whether you are just starting out in your career or have worked in many positions that just didn’t feel right for you, you need to know that you are not alone. A recent study has revealed that nearly a third of Americans are stuck in jobs they don’t care about just to get by. We are often tempted to think of our passions as the perfect career choices for us; however, this isn’t always true. Following your passion doesn’t always secure you the amount of money needed to lead a comfortable and stable life; therefore, passion isn’t the only factor to consider. Instead, consider what is the right fit for you. You need to think about your personality, preferences, principles, the work environment you want to be in, and the amount of money you want to make.
Assess Your Skills
Finding a suitable career for you depends merely on what you are good at. Are you good at working with your hands or do you prefer a mind-stimulating job? Are you good at math? Do you prefer a routine and specific schedule, or do you want a more flexible position? All these questions and more should be answered until you reach the right fit for the skills you have. For example, if you have high intellectual abilities, analytical skills, and good communication, then you might begin to consider a career in investment banking, especially if you are a nimble thinker that can differentiate between good opportunities and things you should dismiss. Assessing your skills will help you greatly in determining what you can and can’t do which will narrow down your search pool.
Ask Experts
After assessing your skills, identifying your likes and dislikes, and determining what you need to excel in your career, it will be easier to limit your search to a few career choices you are contemplating. At this moment, it’s better to seek help from experts in the fields you are interested in. Ask questions about what you need to know and start eliminating what is unsuitable.
Going on a job hunt is never easy. This doesn’t only refer to the crazy maze of searching, applying, and going to interviews; deciding on whether a certain job is suitable for you, to begin with, can be safely deemed the hardest part. If you are unsure about what career path you should go for, then you need to take some time to assess all your wants and needs until you reach the right decision for you.
Young people early in their careers shouldn’t focus on finding their passion. I agree with you that people need to focus on their skillset. Once you figure out the basic skills you are good at, then try to find a career path that utilizes those skills.
Work at a well established firm that has a good track record first. Keep optionality as open as possible at the beginning to give you time to figure out what you want to do.