Choosing a career is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. In some ways, it can define the rest of your life, as it will shape your lifestyle, social networks and even your relationships. There’s a lot at stake, and making the right choice can be hard at a relatively young age.
The best way to ensure you have a successful career is to pick a profession that is in line with your passion. If you enjoy your job, there’s a greater chance that you will excel at it. Also, you’re likely to face a few grueling challenges at work over the years. Loving what you do will make it easier to negotiate those bumps on the road
However, finding a career you that you feel passionately about is not as simple as it sounds. You need to take into account several factors such as — can your passion give you the lifestyle you aspire to? Does a potential job motivate you? Do you see yourself excelling at your passion?
Follow our eight-step plan to find your life’s passion and a career you love:
#1 Figure out what you are good at
Every person has his or her own set of talents. Make a list of what your talents are – are you a neat freak? Good at organizing parties or crunching numbers? This list is the starting point to choose a career you’ll love.
#2 Think about what you like doing
The things you are good at may not necessarily be the things you like doing. So now, make a list of how you enjoy spending your time, from exercising or playing golf to cooking or painting.
Compare the two lists; if you see an overlap, that’s an area you should consider pursuing professionally. For e.g. – if you enjoy cooking, and people appreciate your food, you may want to consider a culinary job.
#3 Determine your personality type
It isn’t enough to pinpoint what you are good at and what motivates you; you must also figure out your personality type to ensure you are the right fit for the job. Are you cool or hotheaded? Boisterous or shy? If you’re an introvert, pursuing a profession that require a lot of interaction can be a challenge, even if you enjoy and are good at what you do.
This can be a little tricky to figure out on your own, so try taking one of the several career-based personality tests available online. Your personality type will also help determine the work environment that is most suitable for you.
#4 Assess the lifestyle you aspire to
Apart from inherent traits, it is very important to take your material and lifestyle aspirations into account. You may be suited to a job in the social sector, but will it pay you enough to sustain the lifestyle you want to lead?
#5 Create a list of careers and research the industries
Based on answers to the above questions, make a list of careers that are most suitable for you. Then research the industries and companies that offer such careers. Look up industry reports and consider what sectors are booming, as they are likely to have the most in-demand jobs. As you get to know each industry better, you may consider striking off the ones that don’t appeal to you at this stage to arrive at a short-list.
#6 Get first-hand accounts about the professions you’ve short-listed
Now that you’ve done your homework, tap your social network to find people who already have careers in the fields you have short-listed. They could even be people who’ve retired, or are related to the industries that offer careers of the kind you aspire to. Ask them about the industry and your prospective career path.
A career that reflects your passion has to be pursued in a practical way if you want to learn, grow and move forward. Armed with all this information, you’ll be set to find your dream job. Start your search here.
