Choosing a job specifically to your tastes and needs as an individual can sometimes be difficult. While you may know yourself well, you may not know what type of career best matches your skills, interests, talents and potential. Ultimately you want a job where you feel satisfied, appreciated and challenged on a daily basis, so you can continue to grow and hone your skills while doing something you truly care about. Learning more about yourself and testing careers is the ideal way to find a job that fits you.
Step 1
Focus on your interests and what you enjoy doing, urges HelpGuide.org. An old adage is to decide what you love to do, and then find a way to get paid for it. Think of your interests in career terms. For instance, if you love to be around children, work at a daycare or summer camp. If you love taking care of others, look into nursing or working for a retirement home.
Step 2
Take stock of your valuable skills and how they would transfer to a job. If you're particularly organized when it comes to balancing your checkbook, you may have an aptitude for accounting. If creating is more your style, then a career in art, music or literature may be a better fit. The things you do well each day are a clue to the type of job you might excel in, according to the Utah Department of Workforce Service.
Step 3
Visit a career counselor; he can administer personality tests and assess your interests and talents to give you a better idea of the jobs in which you'll succeed. He can also explain the types of training or education you'll need to get the job that you want, and can help you write a resume.
Step 4
Volunteer for positions you think you might enjoy. This allows you to gain valuable experience for your resume and gives you the chance to test careers to decide whether they are a good fit. If you're thinking about nursing, a volunteer position at a hospital could give you greater insight into the workings of a hospital. If you can't find a volunteer position, ask a friend or family member if you can "job shadow" her for a day to see if her type of job is right for you.
Step 5
Spread the word through family and friends that you're looking for a job, suggests the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board. Some jobs aren't posted on job boards or classified ads, so you could miss out on an ideal opportunity. Let the people in your life know the type of job you're looking for so they can let you know when a job that is a good fit for you opens up.
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