Whether you are looking for your first job or trying to find another one in efforts to reinvent yourself, to know you are on the right career path gives the most relief. How do you know you are on the right career path? Answer the following questions honestly because they will provide you a reasonable assurance that you on the right track.
1. What do you really like doing? To begin with, you have to realize that in your career, you can’t always do exactly what you want to do. But you can know what it is that you really like to do then find the career that is compatible with your interests, training and preferences. In other words, the starting point will always be: What is it that you really like to do? From there, turn it into a career.
2. What kind of tasks are you good at? You may not find exactly what you want to do but it might be a good as a career choice because you perform best in it. Aside from your earnings, knowing that you are doing what you are good at is already a reward in itself. So take an inventory of your skills, abilities and talents. They may be a good building block for a career path.
There are times when what you are good at doing is actually the kind of work you enjoy doing. If that is the case, you have the excellent materials for a successful career. Pursue it immediately.
3. Is your skill set in demand? It is really frustrating to know that prospective employers are not interested in what you place on the table. So it helps to know if your skill set is in demand. Develop your marketable skills because it will almost guarantee that a position would be available for you. Drop your dreams along a skill set without demand. Focus on the skills that are demanded on the market.
If after a personal inventory you found out that you do not have marketable skills, then find out what is marketable. Do something to line up these marketable skills with your interests and talents.
4. Do you have much choice? This might be frustrating, but sometimes you simply do not have a choice. You need a job to meet your family’s needs. Whatever is available, you might be forced to take it. Since this is not something you really like to do, do not plan to stay there long. While there, look for opportunities to develop your skill set to widen your choices. Who knows, the right career path is just around the corner.