Is there a particular field (entertainment, healthcare, finance, etc. ) that you want to zero in on? What are your absolute needs in a job? (High salary, helping others, working with kids, etc. ) What are your absolute “turn offs” in a job? (Work without helping others, work 50+ hours, go back to school, etc. ) What do you know well or have studied? Even little things make a big difference here – volunteer work, classes or hobbies, odd jobs, passionate extracurricular, etc. Don’t feel like there is a “right” answer to picking a career. There is not! This is about finding your wants and needs, then looking for the career that matches them later. [2] X Research source
Keep notes as you do research. Remember, this is supposed to be fun, so look for jobs that get your excited and thinking about the future. Have fun with this – look for jobs that excite you, even if you can’t exactly say why. Be sure to make notes about needed or recommended qualifications as you search.
Many career qualifications are more of guidelines than strict policies, especially for non-science/tech jobs. Think about how your personal qualifications make you the best fit for the career, not just how closely you hew to posted qualifications. Note any careers require hard, black and white qualifications – doctors must go to medical school, lawyers law school, etc. There is little getting around this, but if you’re not bothered by the work up front this is a sign you might care enough about the career to give it a go.
Talk to people in potential careers and ask if you could “shadow,” or follow them for a day or two, to learn about the job first-hand. Talk to your college’s career center about placement, internships, and opportunities early on in school. Maintaining a relationship with the career center will pay dividends later on.
“What do you enjoy most about a day of work?” “What things did you wish you knew before starting your career?” “Where did you start to get to the position you are today?” “What does a normal “week-in-the-life” look like?"[3] X Research source
Make this decision before looking for work. It is perhaps the most important aspect of future job happiness, and you should treat it with respect.
“If I had the skills and education, I would love to be a __________” “If I had to go back to school, I’d major in __________” “When I’m retired, I want to look back on a life spent _____________"[4] X Research source
Ask around for the types of “entry-level” jobs that are recommended in your career. If you don’t have the qualifications for the job you want just yet, jumping into a related job to get experience while you study up will bolster your resume.
Volunteer work Classes at a local college Certification or trade-specific courses (such as the CPA exam for accountants) Large or unique personal projects Internships[6] X Research source
Ask everyone you know if they know anyone in your industry. Ask them if they’d introduce you to ask questions about their job. Ask general questions about the work, as shown above. Keep it loose and informal to keep making connections, not beg for work. Do not ask for a job – instead, tell them you’re looking for advice and guidance starting a new career. If they have an opportunity, they will offer it to you if you’re a good fit. Always follow up with thank you emails or letters if people sit to talk to you. Know that this takes time – you’ll likely meet 10 people for everyone one who is helpful. But this is networking – get it as big as you can. [7] X Research source
“What are some examples of internal promotion or growth in this company?” “Am I further along in my career for taking this job, in the same place, or behind?” “Does this job bolster my qualifications for the types of job I want?” “Will I be able to learn and grow in this job, or will I be stagnant?” “Does the company seem interested and passionate about its work, or driven by the bottom line?"[8] X Research source
Get involved in work projects that excite you, even if only tangentially. Next time a similar project comes up, you will be one of the first people called. [10] X Research source
You never know when someone is going to help out or find an opportunity. No connection is too small when building a career. [13] X Research source
Getting a perfect career can take time, even years, depending on the job. You need to ask if you’re still on the right path, not wondering why you’re not there yet. If you feel like you’re wavering, make a list of three things you can do that month to get back on your career path. [14] X Research source
