Steps to decide the Right Career Path

Steps to decide the right career path
Steps to decide the right career path

Introduction

Choosing a right career path can seem daunting, whether you are finishing up your education and want to venture into the world or have already worked in a certain field for some time and want to try something else.

But, let me tell you this with little self-exploration and some research, you can easily choose a career that will leave you feeling fulfilled. 

And, to help you in this research and self-exploration I have compiled some steps that’ll help you to find the right career path!

7 Steps to decide the right career path

1. Evaluate your Skills and Interests

You know yourself, right? Take some time to think, and make a list of all your skills and strengths. Consider things like physical skills, practical tasks, and creative work. Your talents might include being a great artist, a whiz with numbers, an all-star football player, or an excellent salesperson. 

If you’re struggling to determine your skills or strengths, talk to your friends, family, or colleague for their advice. And, trust me, you’ll be surprised to know how much your best friend knows about you, better than you. So, use them to help you out in figuring out your career instead of just hanging out! 

2. Carry out SWOT analysis

SWOT analysis is a great way to assess your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats at any point in your career.  List your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in four quadrants and keep revisiting them. Research and identify career opportunities that may strengthen your weak areas, while at the same time staying vigilant against threats that may hurt your career. Be positive about your strengths and strengthen your weak areas; at the same time, look out for threats that may cause you harm.

3. Narrow done your options

Try to match your strengths and qualities with potential jobs. Research the responsibilities of several jobs within the field. You can narrow down your options by learning the role’s responsibilities on a day-to-day basis. 

Don’t be afraid to go outside the box or to work across fields. Many skillsets or opportunities can be applied to more than one field. Examine whether your education or experience will enable you to succeed in a related field. Sign-up for internships because internships are meant for trying out jobs in different fields.

4. Carry out a thorough Market Research

Don’t be too rigid in following shift patterns in your career and keep an eye out for the market. People often overlook opportunities available outside of their current line of work in favor of looking inside their current field of employment. Consider expanding your reach outside your current scope of work and assessing the market.  

5. Carry your skills with experience

Decide how your skills can be continuously utilized in line with your experience and make sure your skills do not become obsolete. It’s important to keep your skills up-to-date through learning, reading, and training in order to succeed in this competitive market. Look for skills that are in demand in your field and research the market for those.

6. Take the next step

Figure out what qualifications you need for the field you’ve chosen. Talk to someone who is familiar with the work or has been in the field. Continue with your education because many jobs require a certain certificate, degree, license. And, if you have the qualifications, then go ahead and apply with a rocking CV. 

7. Be Optimistic

After you have been trained and are ready to take on your dream job, have a positive attitude and take the necessary steps to better yourself. Prepare yourself for the sudden changes that may occur in your career. Be focused and cherish every opportunity that comes your way.

A successful and fulfilling career path requires hard work, planning, and self-reflection. These were the few steps that you can follow if you are thinking of changing your career or kick-starting your career. 

And, to keep your skills up-to-date, you know where to go- Coding Ninjas!